American Tech Founders in Marbella: Why the US Is the Fastest-Growing Buyer on the Costa del Sol 2024-2026
Until 2022, American buyers represented a modest fringe of the Costa del Sol luxury market —typically between 2% and 3.5% according to the Spanish Property Registry. In 2026, the figure stands at 4.2% and grows in double-digits YoY. Behind this movement lie three converging levers: the remote work regime, the digital nomad visa introduced by Law 28/2022, and the post-IPO fiscal mindset shift among founders. What was an exception is now a structural current.
The catalyst: digital nomad visa + Beckham Law
Law 28/2022 introduced two figures that reconfigure the taxation of American tech founders wanting to reside in Spain. First, the digital nomad visa allows professionals with contracts or commercial relationships with foreign companies to reside in Spain up to five years renewable. Second, the extension of the Beckham regime to the teleworker profile allows flat 24% taxation up to €600,000 annually and exempts foreign dividend and capital gains income.
For a founder with vesting equity from an American startup valued at $50M, this translates into a 6-year fiscal window to realise accumulated gains without Spanish IRPF impact. The combination with the 100% Andalusian Wealth Tax bonus and the moderate ITSGF positions Marbella as Europe's most efficient jurisdiction for a post-IPO or acquisition liquidity event.
Direct flights: Marbella on the transatlantic map
The operational element that has changed the calculation is air connectivity. American Airlines opened the direct New York JFK – Málaga route in May 2023, operated seasonally. Iberia and Air Europa extend coverage from Madrid Barajas with 1h domestic connection. United Airlines operates Newark–Madrid with Málaga connection. This places Marbella 8-9 hours from US coasts, similar to London-LA.
Aero Charter Málaga reports that private jets from NetJets US grew 42% in 2025. This logistics has allowed Bay Area and Manhattan founders to operate based in Marbella without sacrificing transatlantic agenda. Three public examples: the founder of a fintech unicorn residing in Sotogrande since 2024; the ex-CEO of a SaaS company in Sierra Blanca since 2023; the founders team of a generative AI company that collectively bought in Nueva Andalucía in 2025.
What they look for: average ticket, types, and timing
The average ticket for US buyers on Costa del Sol 2025 stands at €3.4M —significantly above the European average (€2.1M). Favourite typology is villa with sea views and minimum 5 bedrooms (61% of operations), followed by luxury new-build penthouse (24%). Branded residences are particularly attractive for this segment for their lock-and-leave model and integrated hotel-grade services.
Decision timing is agile: 3 visits within less than 10 days, with closing in 4-6 weeks. This contrasts with traditional European buyers who may extend the decision 6-12 months. The consequence: properties capturing American interest leave the market very quickly, which is changing supply-demand dynamics in premium product.
“The American buyer is today the most dynamic in the Costa del Sol luxury market. They don't haggle on price, decide quickly, and tend to buy with cash or international financing without contingencies.”
Sources consulted
- Law 28/2022 — digital nomad visa + Beckham extensionSpanish Official Gazette
- 2025 Property Registry Statistics · buyers by nationalitySpanish Property Registry
- Aena · Málaga airport 2025 statisticsAena
- DM Properties · International Buyer Report 2026DM Properties Marbella
- Idealista News · American buyers in Spain 2025Idealista