According to a recent report published by Spain’s National Institute of Statistics, more than a quarter of a million foreign residents now officially live in the province of Málaga… and that’s no-where near the true total as only those who have taken the time to ensure their names appear on the electoral list – many don’t bother - have been included in the figures. Of this number, almost one in four (nearly 57,000) are British.

Britons’ ongoing love affair with Spain has long been a well documented fact, but it’s not only the British who can’t get enough of a good thing. Citizens from all 27 EU member states are flocking to the Costa del Sol in search of a better life. In fact, 150 different nationalities from all five continents have made their home here, happily coexisting in tolerant, multicultural harmony. So what brings them all here? The sunny summers and mild winters? Of course. The relaxed lifestyle? Absolutely! World-class golf, water sports, entertainment, shopping and leisure facilities second to none? No need to elaborate! But that’s only half the story. High-achieving international schools, state-of-the-art hospitals – in both state and private sectors – and world-class infrastructure are already unparalleled in Mediterranean Europe, and thanks to massive new investment… international, EU-funded, national, autonomous, provincial, local and private… the Costa del Sol is poised to claim its rightful place at the very centre of the world stage.

The extension and upgrading of Málaga airport is the most prominent of current projects. The gateway to the Costa del Sol, in 2006 more than 13 million passengers passed through the doors of Málaga’s international Pablo Ruiz Picasso airport – a driving force behind residential tourism on the Costa del Sol – a 3.2% increase over figures for 2005.  The extent of further investment into additional infrastructure amounts to a budget of 900.000.000 €.

Remember, you can fly here from the UK in a little over two hours, and we have around 320 sunshine days each year. Yet you can watch the same TV programs as you would back home, work on your PC or lap top, and be reached on your mobile ‘phone in just the same way as if you were in your office back in Britain. Those fortunate enough – and astute enough – to own a home here, plan on staying here. And who can blame them? They want to own a property in Spain, enjoy the privileges of owning a property here, and they want to sit on their investment. Relaxing on their terrace, looking out over the sea, golf course or the stunning countryside, and savoring a glass of ‘vino tinto’, not only are they appreciating their investment, but their lifestyle experience, too… and who could ask for more! In the last five years, of the 212,000 officially registered new residents of the Costa del Sol, an astounding 132,000 are expatriates. In the last 12 months alone, of the 22,795 people who have had their names added to the Coast’s electoral rolls, no fewer than 13,807 have relocated here from around the world. The figures speak for themselves.