The Andalucía Real Estate Forum, held on 21 May 2026 at the Higuerón Marbella Golf & Country Club, brought together professionals from across the property, legal, financial and tax sectors for an evening of discussion focused on the continued evolution of the Costa del Sol real estate market.
Organised by the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain in partnership with Dils Lucas Fox, formed following the recent merger of Dils and Lucas Fox, the event attracted around 70 members and guests, reflecting the growing interest surrounding Andalucía’s property sector and its international appeal.
The evening opened with remarks from Derek A. Langley, Regional Vice-President of the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain, who spoke about the continued success of the Chamber and expressed his satisfaction with the strong attendance at the forum. He highlighted the importance of bringing together professionals from different sectors to exchange views on one of Spain’s most dynamic regional markets.
Setareh Mohregi, Director of Institutional Relations at Dils Lucas Fox, then addressed attendees, explaining the recent acquisition of the Spanish real estate company Lucas Fox by Dils and the strong growth the group is experiencing throughout Spain. She noted that the company already has three offices in Andalucía, alongside a significant presence in Madrid, Barcelona and the Balearic Islands.
Her presentation focused on the strength of the luxury property market, explaining how the Costa del Sol has increasingly positioned itself alongside internationally recognised destinations such as Miami and Dubai. She emphasised the continued demand from international buyers seeking premium properties and lifestyle investment opportunities in southern Spain.
The main discussion of the evening was moderated by Alfredo Bloy-Dawson, a respected industry commentator, who guided a detailed conversation on the current dynamics shaping the regional market.
The first panellists to speak were Christopher Clover from Panorama Properties and Paloma Pérez from Dils Lucas Fox, both offering their perspectives from within the real estate sector. Despite acknowledging ongoing challenges, including delays in planning permits and licences, construction delays and unresolved snagging lists, both remained highly optimistic about the future of the Costa del Sol market.
They also highlighted infrastructure concerns, particularly the increasing volume of traffic across the region and the long-standing discussions surrounding the AP-7 toll road and the repeatedly promised coastal train connection. Nevertheless, both agreed that international demand remains exceptionally strong, not only in Marbella but increasingly in Málaga, Estepona and surrounding areas across the Costa del Sol.
The legal perspective was provided by Jon Sutton from Da Cotta Law, who explained how the profile of international clients has changed considerably over recent years. Whereas historically many of their clients originated from the United Kingdom, the firm now advises individuals from a wide range of nationalities. He noted that immigration and visa-related work had expanded significantly, reflecting the increasingly international character of the region and providing continued growth for the legal sector.
Representing Spence Clarke, my fellow partner Miguel Angel Blanca provided the tax perspective during the discussion. Introducing his comments with humour and acknowledging that it was impossible to avoid discussing politics entirely, he explained why Andalucía has become one of the most attractive and competitive autonomous regions in Spain from a tax standpoint.
He highlighted the abolition of inheritance and gift tax between close family members in Andalucía, together with the effective removal of wealth tax, as important factors contributing to the region’s appeal. He also referred to the relatively favourable capital gains tax treatment available to non-residents selling property in Spain, as well as the Beckham regime, which allows qualifying individuals relocating to Spain to benefit from a special tax regime for up to five years. He explained that this provides many international professionals and investors with an opportunity to experience living in Spain before deciding whether to become full Spanish tax residents.
These were just some of the many interesting subjects discussed throughout the evening. Overall, the tone of the forum was notably positive. While panellists recognised the practical and administrative challenges facing the region, there was broad agreement that Andalucía, and particularly the Costa del Sol, continues to attract substantial international investment and remains exceptionally well positioned for future growth.
The evening concluded with a networking reception, allowing attendees to continue discussions and exchange views in a more informal setting. The event once again demonstrated the importance of forums such as these in encouraging dialogue between professionals involved in shaping the future of Andalucía’s property market.
