MUNDO Research Team · Vetted by Costa del Sol property professionals
Published December 2025 · Updated February 2026 · 7 min read
Why EVs Matter When Buying Property in Spain
Electric vehicle adoption in Spain has accelerated sharply since 2024. Sales of fully electric cars grew by over 40% year-on-year, and the Spanish government has doubled down on charging infrastructure targets. If you are a UK buyer purchasing property on the Costa del Sol, this shift affects you directly — from how you get around to the value of your property and the practicalities of everyday life.
Whether you plan to ship your UK-registered EV to Spain, buy one locally, or simply want to understand the infrastructure before committing to a property in a particular area, this guide covers everything you need to know in 2026.
Spain's EV Charging Infrastructure in 2026
Spain had approximately 30,000 public charging points by the end of 2025, with the government targeting 100,000 by 2030 under the MOVES III programme and subsequent MOVES IV extensions. Andalusia — which includes the Costa del Sol — has lagged behind Madrid and Catalonia in charging density, but investment is accelerating.
Motorway and Highway Charging
The AP-7 motorway along the Costa del Sol now has rapid chargers (50kW+) at most service stations between Malaga and Estepona. Iberdrola, Repsol, and Endesa are the main operators. Ultra-rapid chargers (150-350kW) are appearing at newer stations, offering an 80% charge in 20-30 minutes for compatible vehicles.
Key routes for UK buyers:
- Malaga airport to Marbella (AP-7): 4-5 charging stations along the route
- Malaga to Nerja (A-7/E-15): 3-4 stations, with gaps in the Axarquía region
- Marbella to Estepona: well-served with 3 rapid chargers
- Inland routes (Ronda, Antequera): still patchy — plan carefully
Town Centre and Shopping Centre Charging
Most large shopping centres on the Costa del Sol now offer free or low-cost charging while you shop. El Corte Inglés, La Cañada (Marbella), Miramar (Fuengirola), and Plaza Mayor (Malaga) all have charging bays. Many Mercadona and Lidl supermarkets have also installed chargers.
Installing a Charger at Your Spanish Property
This is where it gets practical — and where Spanish property law intersects with EV ownership.
Detached Villas and Townhouses
If you own a villa or townhouse with a private garage or driveway, installation is straightforward. You will need:
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- A qualified electrician (instalador autorizado) to assess your electrical supply
- Sufficient power capacity: most Spanish homes have 4.6kW or 5.75kW contracted power. A 7.4kW home charger requires at least 9.2kW contracted power, which means upgrading your boletín (electrical certificate) and contract with your electricity provider
- Installation costs: typically €800-€1,500 for a wallbox charger including installation, plus €100-€200 for the power upgrade paperwork
- Popular charger brands in Spain: Wallbox (a Spanish company), Zappi, Tesla Wall Connector, ABB
Apartments and Community Garages
This is more complex. Spanish law (Real Decreto-ley 29/2021) gives apartment owners the right to install an EV charger in their designated parking space, even without community approval. However, you must:
- Notify the community president in writing at least 2 months before installation
- Use a certified installer who provides technical documentation
- Connect to your individual electricity meter — not the community supply
- Pay all costs yourself — the community cannot be forced to contribute
- Comply with fire safety regulations specific to underground garages
The community can only block your installation if they can demonstrate a legitimate structural or safety concern — which is rare. In practice, some communities resist, but the law is clearly on the owner's side.
Running Costs: Electricity Tariffs for EV Charging
Spain's regulated electricity tariff (PVPC) has three time periods that dramatically affect charging costs:
| Period | Hours (Mon-Fri) | Approx. Cost per kWh | Cost to Charge 60kWh Battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valle (off-peak) | 00:00-08:00 | €0.08-€0.12 | €4.80-€7.20 |
| Llano (mid-peak) | 08:00-10:00, 14:00-18:00, 22:00-00:00 | €0.14-€0.18 | €8.40-€10.80 |
| Punta (peak) | 10:00-14:00, 18:00-22:00 | €0.20-€0.28 | €12.00-€16.80 |
Charging overnight during valle hours is the clear winner. A full charge for around €5-€7 gives you 300-400km of range — significantly cheaper than petrol. Weekends and public holidays are entirely valle tariff, making them ideal for longer charges.
MOVES III Subsidies and Financial Incentives
The Spanish government's MOVES III programme (extended into 2026 with additional funding) offers subsidies for both EV purchases and charger installations:
Vehicle Purchase Subsidies
- Battery electric vehicles (BEV): up to €7,000 subsidy if you scrap an old vehicle, or €4,500 without scrapping
- Plug-in hybrids (PHEV): up to €5,000 with scrappage, €2,500 without
- Price cap: the vehicle must cost under €45,000 (base price before options)
- Requirement: you must be a resident in Spain or have an NIE number
Charger Installation Subsidies
- Home charger: up to 80% of installation cost, capped at €1,300
- Community parking: up to 80%, capped at €1,500 per charging point
Applying for MOVES subsidies requires patience — the process involves your local autonomous community government (Junta de Andalucía for the Costa del Sol) and typically takes 3-6 months for approval. Your car dealer or charger installer can often handle the paperwork.
Other Financial Benefits
- Reduced registration tax (impuesto de matriculación): EVs with zero emissions pay 0% (vs up to 14.75% for high-emission vehicles)
- Reduced road tax (IVTM): many municipalities offer 50-75% discounts for EVs. Marbella, Malaga, and Mijas all offer reductions
- Free or discounted parking: several Costa del Sol towns offer free parking for EVs in municipal car parks
- ITV (MOT) exemption for first 4 years: new EVs don't need their first ITV inspection until they are 4 years old (vs 4 years for petrol/diesel too, but EVs typically pass more easily)
Registering a Vehicle in Spain (Matriculación)
If you move to Spain permanently (becoming tax resident), you must register your vehicle with Spanish plates within 30 days. If you buy a car in Spain, the dealer handles this. If you bring a UK car, the process involves:
- Homologation (ITV inspection): confirming the vehicle meets Spanish standards. Cost: €100-€200
- Registration tax: 0% for EVs (a significant saving vs petrol cars at 4.75-14.75%)
- Traffic department (DGT) registration: getting your Spanish plates. Cost: approximately €100
- Insurance transfer: you will need a Spanish insurance policy
The 0% registration tax on EVs makes importing an electric car from the UK particularly attractive compared to importing a petrol or diesel vehicle.
Popular EVs in Spain for 2026
The best-selling electric vehicles in Spain differ slightly from the UK market. The most popular models you will see on the Costa del Sol include:
| Model | Price (from) | Range (WLTP) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | €38,000 | 510km | Long-distance driving, road trips |
| MG4 | €22,000 | 350km | Value for money, daily driving |
| Hyundai Kona Electric | €32,000 | 454km | Compact SUV, city and coast |
| Citroën ë-C3 | €23,000 | 320km | Budget-friendly, town driving |
| Cupra Born | €31,000 | 420km | Spanish brand, sporty driving |
| Tesla Model Y | €42,000 | 533km | Family, space, Supercharger network |
How EV Infrastructure Affects Property Value
Properties with pre-installed EV charging or easy charging access are increasingly sought after. Estate agents on the Costa del Sol report that:
- Villas with EV chargers installed command a small premium, particularly from Scandinavian and Northern European buyers
- Apartment communities that have proactively installed shared charging infrastructure are more attractive to younger buyers
- Properties near rapid charging stations have a practical advantage for buyers without private parking
If you are buying a new-build property, check whether the development includes EV charging provision. Many developers on the Costa del Sol now include pre-wired charger connections as standard, particularly in developments targeting the premium market.
Related Reading
Practical Tips for UK Buyers
- Check the charging infrastructure around your target property before buying — use apps like Electromaps or PlugShare to see real charger locations and user reviews
- If buying an apartment, ask about the community's stance on EV charging — has anyone installed one? Are there plans for shared infrastructure?
- Factor in the power upgrade cost when budgeting for a villa — you may need to increase your contracted power
- Consider solar panels + battery + EV charger as an integrated package — solar is exceptionally effective on the Costa del Sol with 320+ sunshine days, and can reduce your charging costs to near zero
- If keeping a UK-registered car temporarily, you can legally drive it in Spain for up to 6 months per year as a non-resident, but you cannot charge at some subsidised public chargers without a Spanish-registered vehicle
Browse properties on MUNDO and filter for villas with garages or developments with modern amenities. Join the MUNDO Buyer Club to connect with verified agents who can advise on EV-ready properties on the Costa del Sol.