Is the Costa del Sol dangerous because of organised crime?

Key rules

• Violence: Shootings and car bombs target people inside criminal groups, not tourists or ordinary residents.
• Main risks: Burglary and fraud are the problems you are most likely to meet.
• Empty homes: Homes left empty or used as holiday lets are the usual burglary targets.
• Prevention: A monitored alarm, a security door, good lighting and a neighbour keeping watch cut your risk.

Crime levels change, so check current figures for your town with the Policía Nacional or Guardia Civil before deciding.

The short answer

Organised-crime violence on the Costa del Sol is mostly targeted. As a resident, your realistic risks are burglary and fraud, not shootings.

What the headlines are about

Towns such as Marbella, Estepona, Mijas and Fuengirola have seen shootings, car bombs and settling of scores between drug-trafficking groups. The numbers have risen over the last decade. The victims are overwhelmingly members of those groups or their rivals. Tourists and ordinary residents are not the targets.

The Campo de Gibraltar area (La Línea, Algeciras, San Roque) makes the news even more. It is a hub for hashish and cocaine. Clashes involving narco-boats and attacks on Guardia Civil officers draw national attention. That is a different problem from daily life in a coastal urbanisation.

For current incident figures, ask the Interior Ministry or the Policía Nacional.

What residents actually face

Burglary. Villas and urbanisation homes are a main concern. Organised gangs, some from Eastern Europe and some local, target holiday or empty homes. They often come at night or when owners are away. Home-invasion robberies with violence happen sometimes.

Fraud. Common patterns are rental scams, fake property sales, timeshare and investment fraud, and online scams aimed at older foreign residents.

The warning below covers the details of both.

How to lower your risk

• Fit an alarm linked to a monitoring centre.
• Use a security door and grilles on windows.
• Keep outside lighting on and valuables out of sight. Use a safe for the rest.
• Ask a neighbour to check the property when you travel.
• Do not post publicly that you are away.
• Keep your home insurance up to date.
• If you live in a gated urbanisation, join its community patrol scheme if there is one. Police patrols also help.

The FAQ below answers common questions on who is targeted and which scams to expect.

What to watch out for

• Burglary of empty or holiday homes: Gangs target villas and urbanisation homes that look empty, often at night or when owners are away. Some break-ins become violent home-invasion robberies. Fit an alarm linked to a monitoring centre, a security door and window grilles, and good lighting. Keep valuables out of sight or in a safe, and ask a neighbour to check the property when you travel.

• Announcing that you are away: Public posts about your holiday or absence tell burglars the house is empty. Post photos after you are back. Keep your home insurance up to date and join the community patrol scheme if your gated urbanisation has one.

• Rental, property, timeshare and investment fraud: Rental scams, fake property sales, timeshare and investment fraud, and online scams hit foreign residents, especially older ones. You can lose a deposit or savings. Do not pay before you have checked who owns the property or runs the offer. Use a trusted lawyer or agency, and report suspected fraud to the police straight away.

Frequently asked questions

Are tourists or ordinary residents targeted in Costa del Sol shootings?

No, the targets are overwhelmingly members of criminal groups and their rivals, not tourists or ordinary residents. The violence includes shootings, car bombs and settling of scores between groups. It has mostly been in Marbella, Estepona, Mijas and Fuengirola.

Why does Campo de Gibraltar make the news more than the Costa del Sol?

Campo de Gibraltar, around La Línea, Algeciras and San Roque, is a hub for hashish and cocaine. Clashes with narco-boats and attacks on Guardia Civil officers there draw national attention. These cases involve the trade and its enforcers, not everyday life for residents.

When do burglars target homes in expat urbanisations?

Burglars mostly target holiday or empty homes, often at night or when owners are away. Organised gangs, some local and some from Eastern Europe, are behind many cases. Sometimes a break-in turns into a violent home-invasion robbery.

Which scams affect foreign residents on the Costa del Sol?

The common scams are rental scams, fake property sales, timeshare and investment fraud, and online scams aimed at older foreign residents. Be wary of any deal that pushes you to pay quickly. Check the seller or landlord with a trusted lawyer or agent before you transfer money.