Case report · Costa del Sol

Málaga: Financing a city apartment in the historic centre for a permanent centre of life

A professor and a corporate lawyer from Berlin planned to move their centre of life permanently to Málaga after entering retirement. Both appreciated the cultural offering, the good medical care and the ability to organise everyday life without a car.

Key figures

At a glance

  • Purchase price: 768.000 €
  • Renovation: 39.800 €
  • Financing required: 522.000 €
  • Equity: 378.000 €

Anonymised case figure · not a binding statement for other projects · §34i GewO

Typical, anonymised case. Names, places and individual financing figures have been adjusted to protect privacy. The process reflects a typical advisory situation for non-resident financing in Spanien.

Urban life with Mediterranean flair

Málaga has developed in recent years into one of the most attractive cities in Spain. The combination of a historic old town, modern infrastructure, an international airport, a cultural offering and the immediate proximity to the sea makes the provincial capital a popular place to live for German-speaking owner-occupiers.

This practical case shows how acquiring a high-quality city apartment for permanent owner-occupation can be financed.

Initial situation

A professor and a corporate lawyer from Berlin planned to move their centre of life permanently to Málaga after entering retirement. Both appreciated the cultural offering, the good medical care and the ability to organise everyday life without a car.

After a longer search they chose a generous apartment in a high-quality refurbished building near the old town. The central location, the lift and the walking distance to shops, restaurants and cultural institutions were particularly convincing.

Financing overview

  • Purchase price: 768.000 €
  • Additional costs: 92.200 €
  • Renovation: 39.800 €
  • Total investment: 900.000 €
  • Equity: 378.000 €
  • Financing required: 522.000 €

The challenge

The buyers had a debt-free home in Germany and extensive securities investments. Even so, not all of the available capital was to flow into the Spanish property, in order to remain flexible in retirement too.

In addition, the apartment was to be further improved functionally and energetically before moving in.

Analysis

The apartment was in very good condition. The planned investments mainly served individual use and an optimisation of living comfort.

Planned were a new kitchen with ergonomic planning, the modernisation of a bathroom, the installation of additional soundproof windows to the courtyard, zone-controlled air conditioning and custom-made fitted furniture for a library and work area.

As all measures were defined before the contract was concluded, they could be fully integrated into the financing.

Financing solution

The financing was set at around 68 % of the purchase price. This kept enough equity, while at the same time creating a balanced long-term financing structure.

Alongside the purchase price, all additional costs and all planned modernisation measures were taken into account in joint financing. This meant the apartment could be occupied permanently immediately after the work was completed.

Outcome

Once the modernisation was complete, a comfortable residence was created in the middle of Málaga that enables the buyers a largely car-free life with short distances.

The financing remained calculable over the long term and at the same time left enough financial reserves for travel and personal projects.

What other buyers can learn

City-centre apartments are often convincing for their location and character. At the same time, individual adaptations and technical improvements should be realistically planned in already at the purchase.

Anyone who calculates the purchase price, additional costs and modernisation together creates a solid basis for a permanent move to Spain.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Why is Málaga especially attractive for owner-occupiers?
The city offers excellent infrastructure, an international airport, a wide cultural offering, modern healthcare and short everyday distances.
Can comfort measures also be part of the financing?
If they are defined and traceably calculated at the time of purchase, they can often be included in the overall financing.
Why is financing used despite high assets?
Many buyers want to preserve their investments and deliberately choose balanced financing rather than a full use of equity.
Which properties are especially in demand in Málaga?
For owner-occupiers, high-quality city apartments, modern flats, townhouses and penthouses in central or beachside locations are especially in focus.

Conclusion

Málaga combines urban life, a Mediterranean climate and excellent infrastructure like hardly any other city on the Costa del Sol. Financing that takes the purchase price, additional costs and all planned modernisation into account already at the acquisition creates the basis for a long-term comfortable centre of life in Spain.

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Anonymised individual case, not a binding statement for other projects · Siegfried Perini, BAFA-notified for the cross-border activity of the owner Olga Nikushkina · §34i GewO · no tax or legal advice · no financing commitment; conditions depend on creditworthiness, loan-to-value and bank