Marbella enters a new era for its Real Estate Market

For decades, Marbella has maintained a unique urban planning situation that has conditioned, to a certain extent, the evolution of its real estate market. Until now, the municipality was governed by a General Urban Planning Plan (PGOU) approved in 1986—a document designed for a Marbella very different from the one we know today. Over the years, the city grew, transformed, and acquired an international dimension that made the need for an urban framework adapted to today's reality increasingly evident.

The problem was not simply that the plan was old. Its complex evolution, along with various modifications, legal proceedings, and the annulment of the planning approved in 2010, generated years of uncertainty regarding the urban planning status of certain properties and land plots. In some cases, this could hinder transactions as common as applying for a license to renovate or expand a home, developing specific plots, or understanding future property potential with sufficient clarity.

This situation changes with the definitive approval, on September 18th, of Marbella's new General Municipal Planning Plan (PGOM). This is the first PGOM in Andalusia adapted to the new regional urban planning regulations, and it replaces the planning that dated back to 1986. Beyond the administrative importance of the news, for the real estate market, it means having an updated planning framework designed for today's Marbella and its evolution over the coming years.

One of the most relevant aspects is the greater clarity regarding the status of numerous properties that carried long-standing problems derived from the municipality's complex urban planning history. According to the Town Hall, around 18,000 homes were left in a situation of urban planning irregularity as a result of this evolution. The new planning now provides a regulatory basis to move forward with their regularization, bringing greater legal certainty to owners and buyers in good faith.

The new PGOM also expands the area classified as urban land to approximately 53 million square meters—12.5 million more than in the previous planning—while establishing new forecasts for the development of specific areas. This allows for a more orderly planning of Marbella's growth, linking it to the city's infrastructure, services, housing, and economic activity needs.

For those who own property in Marbella, or are considering purchasing one, this new scenario brings an especially important element: greater urban planning clarity and predictability. This does not mean that all properties automatically have the same possibilities for renovation, expansion, or development, as each property must be analysed individually. However, having an updated planning framework makes interpreting these possibilities easier and offers a more solid foundation for making long-term real estate decisions.

At Villa One, we believe this change is particularly relevant for those who look at Marbella not only as a place of residence, but also as a real estate investment with a future perspective. The planning update allows us to face the coming years with a framework more in line with Marbella's current reality and with greater clarity on how its real estate market can continue to evolve.