Estepona is experiencing something of an unprecedented business explosion, with a new business opening every 1.5 days in 2025, showing off its current status as one of Spain’s most attractive destinations for entrepreneurs and investors.
Official figures released by Estepona Council reveal that over 200 new business licences have been granted so far this year, a 10 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. The remarkable growth shows the town’s local economy is thriving and its magnetic appeal for startups and small enterprises.
Record-breaking self-employed workers and historic low unemployment
The entrepreneurial fever is backed by hard data:
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- 6,838 self-employed workers registered in September 2025 – a 4 per cent increase year-on-year and a staggering 45 per cent rise since 2011.
- Lowest unemployment rate in Andalusia, with October 2025 recording the best employment figures since 2008.
“The numbers demonstrate the strength and diversity of Estepona’s economic fabric,” said Cristina Cintrano, Councillor for Commerce. “Municipal initiatives over recent years have created a business-friendly environment that attracts investment and fosters entrepreneurship.”
How Estepona makes starting a business easier than ever
The local government has rolled out aggressive pro-business measures:
- Zero opening fees for low-impact (“inocuas”) activities
- 75 per cent discount on licence costs for “vulnerable groups”
- Fully digital application process via the online municipal platform
- Streamlined appointments with all departments through a single online platform
The reforms have cut the amount of red tape, making Estepona one of the fastest places in Spain to launch a new venture.
Why investors have been flocking to Estepona in 2025
Located on the western Costa del Sol between Marbella and Gibraltar, Estepona combines traditional Andalusian coastal popularity with ever-improving infrastructure. The town’s “Garden of the Costa del Sol” beautification project, top-level beaches, and year-round sunshine have transformed it into a prime location for tourism-related businesses, boutique hotels, and lifestyle enterprises. And, not to forget, the “Golden Triangle” effect. There can be no doubt that the triangle between Marbella, Benahavis and Estepona, as well as expansion beyond towards Manilva, is massive draw with property prices and luxury developments popping up all around. Money follows money is the old adage, and with the council getting back onto a much firmer financial footing, the future is bright for Estepona.
