Cost of Living on the Costa del Sol
Many buyers ask what daily life costs once they own a property here. The short answer is that the Costa del Sol is cheaper than most of northern Europe, but it is not the bargain it was twenty years ago. Food, coffee, and eating out stay good value. Some fixed costs, like electricity and community fees, can surprise people. This guide gives real euro figures for 2026 so you can plan with confidence. We also show where costs run lower, since Marbella is far dearer than towns like Fuengirola or Velez-Malaga.
Everyday costs: food and eating out
Eating and drinking out is one of the real pleasures here, and it stays affordable. A coffee costs about €1.50 to €2. A menu del dia, a set lunch with several courses and a drink, runs around €12 to €15. Dinner in a normal restaurant is roughly €25 to €40 per person with wine.
Groceries are cheaper than in the UK, Germany, or Scandinavia, especially local fruit, vegetables, bread, and Spanish wine. A weekly shop for a couple often lands around €70 to €110, depending on your tastes.
Imported products cost more. Familiar brands from home, British or Nordic items, and specialist foods carry a clear markup in the international supermarkets.
- Coffee: about €1.50 to €2
- Menu del dia: about €12 to €15
- Dinner out: about €25 to €40 per person
- Local produce and wine: very good value
Running a property: utilities and fees
Electricity is the cost that catches people out. It is relatively expensive in Spain, and air conditioning in summer plus heating in winter push bills up. A couple in an apartment might spend €70 to €130 a month, more in a large property.
Healthcare and schools
Private healthcare is popular and reasonable. Many residents take out private insurance for faster access and English-speaking doctors. Cover costs about €50 to €150 per person per month, depending on age and the level of the policy.
Spanish state schools are free and taught in Spanish. Families who want an English or international curriculum use private international schools. Fees are commonly €500 to €900 per child per month, plus extras like enrolment, uniforms, and transport.
- Private health insurance: about €50 to €150 per person a month
- International school: about €500 to €900 per child a month
- State schools are free but taught in Spanish
How much a couple spends a month
For a couple who already own their property, a comfortable monthly budget is roughly €2.000 to €3.500. That covers food, eating out, utilities, community fees, health cover, transport, and normal leisure.
You can live on less if you cook at home, use one car, and live outside the prime areas. You will spend more if you eat out often, run a large property, or live in central Marbella.
These figures exclude rent and school fees, which vary widely by family and location.
- Modest lifestyle: nearer €2.000
- Comfortable lifestyle: €2.500 to €3.500
- Excludes rent, mortgage, and school fees
Where it costs less
Location changes the numbers a lot. Marbella is the most expensive part of the coast, from property prices to restaurants and services. Prices there can be double what you pay elsewhere.
Towns like Fuengirola, Torremolinos, and Velez-Malaga are noticeably cheaper for property and daily life, while still offering good amenities and beaches. Benalmadena, Mijas, and Estepona sit in between.
Running a villa with a private pool costs much more than an apartment. You pay for pool upkeep, garden care, higher electricity and water, and larger insurance. If you want to keep costs low, an apartment in a well-run community is the easier choice.
- Cheapest for daily life: Velez-Malaga, Fuengirola, Torremolinos
- Mid-range: Benalmadena, Mijas, Estepona
- Dearest: Marbella and its prime districts
- Villa with pool: far higher running costs than an apartment
The Costa del Sol is not cheap across the board. Electricity bills are high, imported and familiar-brand goods cost more than at home, and international school fees are a heavy monthly cost for families. Prime areas like central Marbella can cost as much as northern Europe. A large villa with a pool is expensive to run all year, even when you are not there.
Common questions
How much does a couple need per month on the Costa del Sol?
A comfortable monthly budget for a couple who own their property is about €2.000 to €3.500. This covers food, eating out, utilities, community fees, and health cover, but not rent or school fees.
Is the Costa del Sol cheaper than northern Europe?
For most daily costs, yes. Groceries, eating out, and services are usually cheaper than in the UK, Germany, or Scandinavia. Electricity, imported goods, and prime areas like Marbella are the main exceptions.
What are community fees and how much are they?
Community fees pay for shared pools, gardens, lifts, and security in apartments and gated communities. A standard apartment is about €80 to €200 a month. Developments with large facilities charge more.
How much is council tax (IBI) on the coast?
IBI is the annual property tax set by the local council. For many coastal properties it is roughly €400 to €1.000 a year. Larger or higher-value properties pay more.
Is it more expensive to run a villa than an apartment?
Yes, much more. A villa with a private pool means higher electricity and water bills, plus pool and garden upkeep and larger insurance. An apartment in a well-run community is far cheaper to run.
The mechanics, in full detail:
Part of our complete Costa del Sol guide
Back to the Costa del Sol guide
Thinking about a property here?
We are free to use and independent. Tell us what you are looking for, and we will send honest options that fit, with no pressure.