The Costa del Sol is increasingly establishing itself as an international hub for real estate, investment and European networking. With the “CEPI & GIPE European Summit 2026”, Málaga recently hosted a high-level gathering of leading property professionals from across Europe. The event was organised by the Spanish organisation GIPE in collaboration with the European umbrella association CEPI.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
The two-day summit on 28 and 29 May brought together estate agents, investors, lawyers and industry representatives from several European countries on the Costa del Sol. The aim of the event was to strengthen international cooperation within the European real estate sector and to develop new shared standards for the industry.
Málaga becomes an international real estate hotspot
The choice of Málaga is no coincidence. The city and the entire Costa del Sol are currently regarded as one of the most dynamic property markets in Europe. Buyers from Germany, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, the Netherlands and increasingly the United States are investing in property in southern Spain.
In addition to luxury properties, the market for international buyers, digital nomads and remote workers is booming. At the same time, Málaga is growing in importance as a location for international real estate conferences and investor events.
According to the organisers, the summit was deliberately designed as an exclusive forum. The focus was on strategic discussions about the future of the European property market, as well as building international cooperation across borders.
Who is behind GIPE?
GIPE stands for “Gestores Inmobiliarios Profesionales Europeos” and was founded in 1985. The organisation, based in the historic Palacio de Salinas in Málaga, describes itself as Spain’s first bilingual association for real estate professionals.
According to its own statements, GIPE promotes higher levels of professionalism, legal security and ethical standards within the real estate sector. Members receive legal advice, access to training programmes and international certifications, as well as support in conflict resolution and mediation. In addition, the organisation offers its members a Europe-wide network of contacts within the property industry.
Particularly important in this context is its cooperation with CEPI, the “European Association of Real Estate Professions”, which represents real estate associations at a European level.
These were the key topics discussed
During the summit, participants mainly discussed the major challenges facing the European real estate market.
A key topic was the increasing internationalisation of the Spanish property sector. Discussions included legal security in property purchases, tax issues for foreign buyers, and the handling of cross-border real estate transactions within Europe. New European regulations and the digital transformation of the industry also played an important role.
In addition, there was extensive discussion about the professionalisation of the estate agency profession. Many industry representatives across Europe are calling for stricter standards, mandatory certifications and greater transparency in order to further strengthen the confidence of international investors.
Networking at the highest level
Alongside expert presentations and panel discussions, networking also played a central role. According to GIPE, the summit was deliberately designed to go “beyond traditional conference formats” and to enable long-term international partnerships.
The event concluded with an official reception on the rooftop terrace of the AC Hotel Palacio Marriott in Málaga. There, representatives of European real estate companies, lawyers, investors and associations met to exchange ideas on future projects and collaborations.
International sponsors support the summit
The event was supported by several international companies and organisations from the real estate and financial sectors. Named sponsors included Lumon, RealtyHive, Stellar MLS, as well as various universities and financial service providers.
The organisers view the summit as further evidence that Málaga is increasingly establishing itself as an international hub for real estate, investment and economic cooperation.
Spain remains attractive to foreign buyers
Despite rising property prices, Spain remains highly attractive to international buyers. The Costa del Sol, in particular, continues to benefit from strong demand for holiday homes, second residences and investment properties.
Industry experts expect international investment in southern Spain to continue growing in the coming years. Events such as the CEPI & GIPE Summit are intended to help foster new partnerships and further connect the European real estate market.
