After 15 years without a valid modern urban plan, Marbella has reached a pivotal moment. The city’s new General Municipal Plan, PGOM (Plan General de Ordenación Municipal), was approved in February 2026 by the Junta de Andalucía. Marbella is now the first municipality in Andalusia to have a plan approved under the new LISTA law, designed to modernise and simplify urban planning across the region.
What is PGOM?
PGOM is Marbella’s strategic “masterplan,” setting the long-term framework for the city’s development. It defines:
- Land use and where new development is permitted
- Protection of environmental and natural areas
- Structure and organisation of city centres and neighbourhoods
- Infrastructure, mobility, and sustainable urban growth
POU – The Detailed Plan Coming Later
The detailed operational plan, POU (Plan de Ordenación Urbana), is still being prepared and is expected to be finalised in 2027–2028. It will regulate specific building rules, height limits, density, land use, and development rights for individual properties. Until the POU is in place, the detailed 1986 rules still apply.
Why This Matters
Marbella’s previous plan from 2010 was annulled by Spain’s Supreme Court in 2015 due to procedural issues, leaving around 18,000 properties in legal uncertainty. PGOM now provides a clearer and more stable foundation, offering confidence for buyers, owners, developers, and investors.
Key Goals of the New Plan
- Legal clarity and stability
- Sustainable urban development and environmental protection
- Mixed-use neighbourhoods combining housing, services, and tourism
- Affordable housing to support the local workforce
- Improved infrastructure, mobility, and public spaces
How Different Areas Are Affected
- Marbella Town Centre & Golden Mile: Focus on renovation and quality improvements rather than new construction
- Nueva Andalucía: Modernisation and selective densification of older developments
- East Marbella (Elviria, Las Chapas, Cabopino): Controlled growth with strong environmental protections
- San Pedro de Alcántara: Development into a more complete, self-contained urban centre
Impact on the Property Market
PGOM does not create immediate price changes but builds long-term confidence. Once the POU is completed, due diligence will be simpler, and rules will be more predictable for investors and developers. Property owners gain a stronger legal foundation, while properties previously in a grey area may achieve clearer status over time.
What Applies Right Now
PGOM establishes the structural framework, but detailed property-level regulations await the POU. Thorough legal checks remain essential for any purchase, sale, or investment in Marbella.
In Summary
Marbella is moving from decades of uncertainty and outdated planning to a modern, clear, and sustainable urban structure. For the property market, this means greater confidence, better planning predictability, and a more attractive city for investors and residents alike.
Best,
Johan Mihkelson Ringqvist
CEO & Founder
Marbella Golf Estates
Ekholmsnäs Golf Lidingö
Contact:
johan@marbellagolfestates.com
+46 708 752 557
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