Is private international healthcare accessible in Fuengirola and Benalmadena?
Both Fuengirola and Benalmadena offer excellent private international healthcare options, including access to medical services in English. Neither location leaves international buyers at a disadvantage — this is a factor where both towns perform equally well, which matters especially for retirees making a permanent move to the Costa del Sol.
Warner Leen highlights this point specifically in the context of two types of buyers: those relocating permanently and those purchasing as an investment property. For retirees, reliable English-language healthcare is a practical non-negotiable when committing to a new life in Spain. For property investors, it is equally relevant — rental guests staying at a property in Fuengirola or Benalmadena may need medical assistance during their stay, and knowing that private international healthcare is nearby provides genuine peace of mind for landlords.
This episode of The Costa Property Podcast works through the top five questions WL Costa Properties asks every international buyer who cannot choose between these two locations — and healthcare access is one of the key criteria on that list.
"Every property can be made beautiful, a bit of cosmetic work, a bit of patience. But you have very little influence and control over what happens outside your property."
— Warner Leen, Co-Founder & Property Consultant, WL Costa PropertiesThat framing captures the broader logic behind the healthcare question: the quality of the surrounding infrastructure — including medical facilities — is something buyers cannot retrofit after purchase. Choosing a location with solid private international healthcare in place is a decision that belongs at the top of the checklist, not as an afterthought.
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Benalmadena naturally has more schooling options than Fuengirola, particularly for families who need to explore the international schooling route. Families should weigh this carefully when choosing between the two locations.
Fuengirola is largely flat, meaning residents can walk easily from the train station to their apartment and to the beach without any elevation challenges. Benalmadena has more varied terrain, which can be a real consideration depending on mobility needs and lifestyle preferences.
Both Fuengirola and Benalmadena are served by the local train line running from Malaga Central and Malaga Airport. From the airport, you can reach Arroyo de la Miel station in Benalmadena in 20 to 25 minutes by train, with Fuengirola a further 10 minutes along the same line.