Marbella · Costa del Sol · Andalusia

English-Speaking Lawyers in Marbella
Property, Visas & Wills for Expats

Independent legal representation for international buyers, residents and families in Marbella and across the Costa del Sol. Full due diligence on property, Spanish wills, visa applications, non-resident tax and inheritance — delivered in plain English, with fixed fees and a named specialist on your case.

Bar-Registered Solicitors
🇬🇧Fluent English-Speaking Team
Fixed Fees, No Surprises
💻Work With Us Online
★★★★★Trusted by Marbella Expats
Fixed
Fees agreed in writing up front
100%
English-speaking legal team
Online
Work with us from anywhere
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Legal Help in Marbella

Modern legal support for the international community in Marbella

Marbella has one of the most diverse and well-established expat communities in Spain. British, Scandinavian, Irish, Dutch, German and Middle Eastern residents live alongside a growing population of American and Canadian professionals, second-home owners and retirees. Property values are high, transactions are often international, and tax exposure — both Spanish and in the client's home country — is rarely straightforward.

Platinum Legal Spain was built for exactly this kind of client. We work with buyers, sellers, residents and families across Marbella, Puerto Banús, Nueva Andalucía, San Pedro de Alcántara, Elviria, Los Monteros and Guadalmina — advising on property purchases, wills, inheritance, tax residency, the Non-Lucrative Visa, the Digital Nomad Visa, and every piece of Spanish paperwork in between.

Everything is handled in English. Fees are fixed and agreed in writing up front. Most of our work is delivered online through secure video consultations and our encrypted document portal, meaning you can instruct us from the UK, the US, Canada, Ireland or anywhere else — and we'll have everything ready before you arrive.

Services Available in Marbella

Full-service English-speaking legal support across Marbella

Whether you're buying a villa in Nueva Andalucía, preparing a Spanish will, applying for the Non-Lucrative Visa, or need non-resident tax advice on a Marbella rental, our team covers every legal matter expats in Marbella face — end to end.

Property Law

Property Purchases & Conveyancing in Marbella

Independent legal representation for buyers across Marbella, Puerto Banús, Nueva Andalucía, Elviria and the Golden Mile. Full title, debt and planning due diligence, NIE, tax, contracts and completion.

Property Legal Service
Buying & Selling

Selling Property in Marbella

Transactional support for sellers — Nota Simple, capital gains planning, Modelo 210 non-resident withholding, Plusvalía and contract handling. Fixed fees, fast turnarounds.

Selling Service
Wills & Inheritance

Spanish Wills & Inheritance in Andalusia

Spanish wills drafted bilingually for Costa del Sol asset-holders, probate administration and Andalusian inheritance tax planning (including the 99% regional allowance for close family).

Wills & Inheritance
Non-Lucrative Visa

NLV for Retirees Moving to Marbella

Non-Lucrative Visa applications for retirees and financially independent clients relocating to Marbella. Portal-based application, document review, consulate coordination. Fixed fee €1,499.

NLV Service
Digital Nomad Visa

DNV for Remote Workers in Marbella

Digital Nomad Visa for remote employees and contractors relocating to Marbella. Portal-based application, Beckham Law eligibility check, named immigration specialist. Fixed fee €1,899.

DNV Service
Tax & Fiscal

Non-Resident & Resident Tax Advice

Modelo 210 for non-resident owners, rental income tax, capital gains planning, Beckham Law for inbound professionals, double-tax treaty advice for UK, US and Irish residents.

Tax & Fiscal Advice
NIE · TIE · Admin

NIE, TIE, Empadronamiento & Certificates

NIE, TIE, empadronamiento, digital certificate, apostilles and sworn translations (capped at €200) — handled end-to-end so you don't waste a day at the comisaría.

NIE & Admin
Business & Corporate

Company Formation & Autónomo Setup

SL company formation, autónomo registration, commercial contracts, and Marbella-specific business licences. For investors, entrepreneurs and DNV-linked freelancers.

Business Services
Family Law

Family, Divorce & Cross-Border Matters

Spanish divorce, cross-border custody, pre-nuptials, family reunification and international family law for expats living in and around Marbella.

Family Law Service
Marbella Legal Landscape

What makes Marbella legal cases different

Marbella and the wider Costa del Sol have specific legal and tax rules that affect almost every expat case — from property due diligence on off-plan builds to Andalusian inheritance tax allowances. Here are the four issues that come up most often.

1. Off-Plan & New Build Property Risks

Marbella has one of the most active new-build markets in Spain, with luxury off-plan developments in Nueva Andalucía, La Cala de Mijas (just east), Benahavís and the New Golden Mile. Off-plan purchases are legitimate and common — but they carry specific risks that resale purchases do not.

  • Stage payments must be protected by a bank guarantee or insurance policy under Law 38/1999 — without this, deposits can be at risk if the developer fails to complete.
  • First Occupation Licence (Licencia de Primera Ocupación) delays are common on Costa del Sol new-builds and can stall completion for months.
  • Plot boundary, planning and urbanisation compliance (AFOs, DAFOs) need to be checked against municipal records in Marbella, Benahavís, Estepona and Mijas — rules differ by municipality.
  • Community of owners (Comunidad) fees, build-quality snagging and escrow release schedules should be reviewed before you sign a reservation contract — not after.

2. Andalusian Inheritance & Wealth Tax Rules

Inheritance tax in Spain is set partly by national law and partly by each autonomous community. Andalusia — where Marbella sits — has some of the most favourable allowances in the country for close family members. Getting the right Spanish will and estate structure in place can reduce inheritance tax exposure dramatically.

  • Andalusia applies a 99% inheritance tax reduction for spouses, children and parents — meaning most direct-family inheritances of Marbella property pay almost nothing in Spanish inheritance tax, provided the estate is correctly declared.
  • Wealth tax (Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio) was suspended in Andalusia in 2022, replaced by the state Solidarity Tax on Large Fortunes for estates over €3 million — relevant to HNW property owners.
  • Without a Spanish will, Andalusian assets still pass through Spanish probate, typically slower and more expensive than with one.
  • EU Regulation 650/2012 allows you to elect your national succession law, but the tax is still calculated under Spanish/Andalusian rules — cross-border planning matters.

3. Non-Resident Tax on Marbella Property

Most foreign owners in Marbella are non-tax-residents of Spain — but they still have annual Spanish filing obligations on the property itself. These are frequently missed, and the Agencia Tributaria does catch up eventually, particularly on rental properties.

  • Modelo 210 is due annually on non-resident ownership of Spanish property, whether rented or not.
  • Rental income from Marbella properties is taxed in Spain first — 19% for EU/EEA residents, 24% for non-EU (including post-Brexit UK and US owners).
  • Capital gains tax on sale is withheld at 3% by the buyer and settled via Modelo 210; the final CGT rate is 19% on the gain for non-residents.
  • Plusvalía (municipal capital gains) is charged separately by Marbella's ayuntamiento and depends on how long you've held the property.

4. The Beckham Law for Inbound Professionals

Marbella increasingly attracts senior professionals relocating from the UK, US and Northern Europe — often under the Digital Nomad Visa route. For many of these clients, the Beckham Law (Special Expats' Regime) can reduce Spanish tax exposure dramatically in the first six years of residency.

  • Under the Beckham Law, qualifying inbound professionals are taxed as non-residents — flat 24% up to €600,000 of Spanish-source income, with foreign income largely outside the Spanish net.
  • Application must be made within six months of registering with Spanish Social Security — miss this window and the regime is lost.
  • DNV applicants, employees of foreign companies, and certain directors can qualify; self-employed autónomos generally cannot.
  • Spanish wealth tax and the Solidarity Tax still apply to worldwide assets unless you actively structure around them.
How We Work in Marbella

Modern, online-first legal service — from anywhere to Marbella

You don't need to be in Marbella to instruct us. Most cases are handled entirely online — secure video consultations, encrypted document uploads, and a named specialist from day one.

1

Book Your Consultation

Book a free 20-minute call. We'll confirm your situation, the service you need in Marbella, and give you a fixed fee in writing — before any work begins.

2

We Handle Marbella-Side Work

Your named specialist takes over the Spanish side — due diligence, notary, land registry, tax office, consulate, community of owners. You stay in the loop via secure portal.

3

Completion & Aftercare

Whether it's signing at the notary, submitting a visa, or registering a Spanish will, we take it to completion — and stay available for follow-up Marbella legal matters.

Built Differently

A modern Spanish law firm — built for Marbella expats

Traditional Costa del Sol law firms were not designed for international clients. Slow replies, jargon, surprise invoices and no visibility over the process — most people you speak to will have experienced at least one of these in Marbella.

Platinum Legal Spain was built to fix that specifically. Every element of the service — from fees to document handling to communication — is structured for the way expat clients actually live and work.

  • English from first contact — no translation delays, no legal jargon.
  • Fixed fees agreed up front — written scope before we start.
  • A named specialist on your case — not a revolving door of paralegals.
  • Secure online portal — upload, track and sign from anywhere.
  • Remote-first service — most Marbella cases handled without travel.
Learn More About Us
Client Reviews

What clients say about Platinum Legal Spain

5.0 ★★★★★ Based on Google Reviews
★★★★★
"I bought an apartment in Spain through Vibe Real Estate. During the purchase, I hired PLS to monitor all legal and contractual agreements. Great help — everything handled professionally and clearly."
Mario GrecoProperty Purchase
★★★★★
"Magnificent service. Great professionals. Attentive to solve any setback that may occur. Totally recommended."
Joserra MartinezGoogle Review
★★★★★
"We asked PLS to help us with the purchase of our new home in Spain. Several legal issues arose and the team at PLS were instantly on the ball. Their attention to detail and constant updating of information cannot be faulted."
Michael ShrubsoleProperty Purchase
Read All Reviews
Working With Us From Marbella

Online-first service — our nearest offices on the coast

We don't maintain a walk-in office in Marbella itself. Instead, we deliver service to Marbella clients online and from our coastal offices in Murcia, Torrevieja and Valencia. If you need an in-person meeting, we can arrange one at a partner location in Marbella by appointment.

How We Work With Marbella Clients

Almost every legal matter in Marbella can be handled without you or us travelling. If a notary signing is required in Marbella itself, we coordinate with a notary on the Costa del Sol and brief them on the matter in advance.

  • Free 20-minute consultation over video call
  • Fixed fee quoted in writing before any work starts
  • Secure online portal for documents and case updates
  • Named bilingual specialist from day one
  • Notary coordination in Marbella, Estepona or San Pedro
  • Power of attorney option — we handle everything on your behalf
Book a Consultation
Also Serving

Legal help across the Costa del Sol

We work with expat clients throughout the Costa del Sol. Browse our location pages for the town or city most relevant to you.

Marbella FAQs

Frequently asked questions — legal help in Marbella

Do I need an independent lawyer when buying property in Marbella?
Yes. In Marbella, the estate agent and developer's lawyer act for the seller — not you. Independent legal representation means your lawyer carries out title, debt, planning and tax due diligence, reviews the private purchase contract (contrato de arras), organises your NIE, coordinates mortgage and tax payments, and represents you at the notary. For most Marbella purchases, this saves buyers more money than it costs — especially on off-plan or resale properties with outstanding charges or planning issues.
How much does a lawyer cost for buying property in Marbella?
Standard legal fees for a Marbella property purchase are typically 1% of the purchase price plus VAT, or a fixed fee agreed in writing before work begins — we always quote fixed fees where possible. On top of legal fees, a buyer should budget roughly 10–13% of the purchase price to cover transfer tax (ITP), notary, land registry, NIE and bank costs. We'll confirm the exact budget in your consultation.
Can I instruct you remotely if I'm still in the UK, US or Canada?
Yes — this is how most of our Marbella clients instruct us. Consultations run over secure video, documents move through our encrypted portal, and we can act under a limited Spanish power of attorney so that you do not need to travel for signings unless you want to. We regularly close Marbella property purchases for clients who only arrive at handover.
Do I need a Spanish will if I already have a will in my home country?
In most cases, yes. A Spanish will covering your Spanish assets (typically your Marbella property) makes probate far faster, cheaper and less stressful for your family. Under EU Regulation 650/2012 you can still elect your national succession law, but the tax — particularly Andalusian inheritance tax — is calculated under Spanish rules. A bilingual Spanish will and a properly structured estate plan is the standard advice we give Marbella property owners.
How does Andalusian inheritance tax work for Marbella property?
Andalusia applies one of the most generous regional inheritance tax allowances in Spain — a 99% reduction for spouses, children, parents and direct descendants. In most direct-family Marbella inheritance cases, the actual tax payable is small, provided the estate is declared correctly and within the six-month window (extendable on request). Distant relatives and non-family beneficiaries face much higher effective rates and need planning in advance.
Can I apply for the Non-Lucrative Visa to retire in Marbella?
Yes — the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is the standard route for retirees and financially independent clients moving to Marbella from outside the EU. You'll need to show passive income or savings above the IPREM threshold (currently around €28,800/year for the main applicant, plus a supplement per dependent), private Spanish health insurance, and a clean criminal record. We handle NLV applications through our secure online visa portal for a fixed fee of €1,499.
Can I move to Marbella on the Digital Nomad Visa?
Yes. The Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) allows remote workers and employees of non-Spanish companies to live in Marbella while continuing to work for their overseas employer or clients. Eligibility is based on remote work, a minimum income threshold and professional qualifications. Many Marbella DNV clients also apply for the Beckham Law for tax efficiency. We handle DNV applications through our online portal for a fixed fee of €1,899.
Do you have a physical office in Marbella?
We do not run a walk-in office in Marbella itself. We deliver service to Marbella clients online from our coastal offices in Murcia, Torrevieja and Valencia. Where an in-person meeting is useful, we can arrange one in Marbella by appointment. For almost every Marbella case we handle, no travel is necessary — which is the service most expat clients actually want.

Speak to a Marbella legal specialist today

Whether you're buying in Nueva Andalucía, preparing a Spanish will, applying for the NLV or handling a non-resident tax issue — book your free 20-minute consultation and get a fixed fee in writing before any work begins.