About | Relocation Support Malaga

About Us

About Malaga Expat

Malaga Expat Consulting was founded by Irina Saltmarsh with the aim of providing help and assistance to all expats living or moving to Spain, to the area of Malaga and the Costa del Sol. Being herself an “expat with experience” Irina understands all too well how one feels moving yours and your family’s life to a foreign country, no matter how friendly and open this country might be.

Call us anytime +34 687 73 37 43

About Irina

Coming originally from Russia Irina studied Philology and Law in the St. Petersburg State University and graduated with two Master degrees in the above specialities. She first joined the world expat community in 2002 when she moved from Russia to Sweden following work commitments. Since then she has navigated at least four additional relocations and lived in several different countries including Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and Spain. She met her husband Rick in Switzerland and has been happily married since 2004, giving birth to her amazing daughter in 2015 and now living in Spain with her happy and very international family combining four different nationalities (Spanish, English, Russian and Swiss).

Initially, Irina worked as a professional in a large multinational corporation making a successful business career within sales and management. When, in 2009, she and her husband both decided to leave their brilliant careers and highly paid, but stressful jobs, to build a new happier and more relaxed life in Spain. Initially moving to Tenerife, together they built an estate agency, from scratch, making it into a market leader, then successfully selling it several years later (only to move once again!) to the beautiful province of Malaga where they are living now, and truly loving it!

During her years in Spain Irina not only learned Spanish to add to her list of spoken languages, which also includes English, German and Russian, but she also got very familiar with Spanish legislation and local customs involving administration and paperwork procedures, specifically for expats deciding to live and run businesses in Spain.

With numerous relocations behind her and a diverse expat experience of living and working in different countries, both employed and as a small business owner, Irina understands better than anyone what one goes through moving and settling down in a new country. There are a vast array of matters to consider, prepare and later to deal with. Especially if you do not understand the local language and legislation, and have no one to go to for advice. Irina can be your trusted consultant and a point of contact in any matters, big or small, if you require help, assistance or a simple advice related to your life in Malaga. It is only natural to feel worried or disconcerted about your move, but these things can be easily managed if you have a professional “helping hand” like the one offered by Malaga Expat Consulting.

We see ourselves as your trusted consultant and a point of contact in any matters, big or small, requiring help, assistance or a simple advice related to your life in Malaga. Don’t feel discouraged or lost and turn for help to us who have been in yours or similar situation many times before.

Business Goal

Why choose Irina

Honest Advice

Clear, transparent guidance at every stage.

Personal Commitment

Dedicated support tailored to your family's needs.

Extensive Experience

Helping clients relocate to Málaga and the Costa del Sol since 2017.

Problem-Solving Approach

Practical solutions for relocation challenges.

End-to-End Support

Guidance from planning your move to settling into life in Spain

Trusted Referrals

Strong network of trusted professionals across the Costa del Sol.

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Jessica Wolfe 
 September 25, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Irina and her husband Frederick guided us expertly through the steps required to secure our Spanish residency as a U.S. / EU couple. What initially felt like a daunting process became easy and stress-free with their assistance, which included setting up appointments for NIE, Padrón, and TIE, opening a local bank account, and making sure we had all the necessary documentation properly notarized, apostilled, and translated.

Of all the expenses we incurred for our international move, hiring Irina was the best investment in our future life in Spain.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Anna Nagys 
 September 17, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great experience working with Irina from Malaga Expat. She was incredibly organized with all of our documentation and made sure we had everything prepared correctly for every step of the process.
Most importantly, she booked every single appointment we needed and get everything done on time — which, as anyone who has dealt with Spanish bureaucracy knows, is almost an impossible task! 😄
Irina is knowledgeable, responsive, and very easy to work with. We’re very grateful for all her help and would definitely recommend her!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Audrey Christie 
 September 10, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I turned to Irina for help when I realised it is rather difficult in Spain to submit a visa application entirely by yourself, especially not being a fluent Spanish speaker. I was also running out of time and beginning to panic!
She helped me through the process and I received my visa extension much more quickly than expected which meant I could renew my TIE also before the expiry deadline. I am very grateful for her patience and assistance!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   l h 
 August 23, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I called Irina Ms. Efficiency.

She organized everything with such care that the entire process went smoothly and without hiccups.
She found a wonderful place for us, and reviewed the legal contract.
In a couple of days after arrival we were able to apply for Padron and had a bank account. In a couple of weeks we were Spanish residents.

She and Rick prepared everything so well that the appointments
took only 2-3 minutes and we had the documents in hand.

We got private health insurance using her expertise as well.
In less that a month she solved every single administrative problem for us.
Last but not least, she helped enroll our son in school!
She is trustworthy, responsive and helpful in every way, we had a wonderful experience. She made a difficult process look easy, although I’m sure without appropriate help it may not have been so.
If you want efficient, personable, knowledgeable people, Malaga Expat Consulting is the way to go.

Thank you Irina and Rick!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jilan Knoblauch 
 August 21, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Irina’s exceptional organization and attention to detail ensure that every aspect of the registration and administrative process is handled seamlessly upon your arrival. Engaging her services has been one of the best decisions we’ve made during our relocation. Her support has made the entire process significantly easier and less stressful. We highly recommend her services!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   NAM 
 July 24, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Working with Irina on my visa application was an absolute joy! She made what could have been a daunting process feel completely seamless and stress-free. Irina is exceptionally knowledgeable, easy to work with, and took the time to explain every detail clearly so I always felt informed and confident.
What stood out most was her professionalism and dedication, she was always available to answer my questions, even after hours. I can honestly say that without Irina, this process would have been so much more difficult. I couldn’t recommend her highly enough!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jean-Marc Zuczek 
 July 7, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Hiring Irina to help us with our move to Spain for our retirement was without a doubt the best money we spent during our whole relocation.

Thanks to her impressive professionalism, efficiency and vast experience (and connections) she made the whole process as stress free as it could possibly be.

All her communications and instructions in perfect English through WhatsApp were clear, detailed, thorough, timely and comprehensive.

Our whole move, relocation and residency status was completed in less than 4 months, due in part to her finding us a great little apartment through one of her trusted connections even before we arrived, thanks to a perfectly put together video walkthrough Irina sent us while we were traveling through Egypt!

By the time we landed in Malaga, we had a place to move right in and all our administrative appointments scheduled and ready to go! Truly outstanding service and worth every penny! Could not recommend Irina’s services enough! A++
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nicky Hernandez 
 July 1, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Irina has been our guide from the moment we began to seriously plan our move to Spain. Today, we attended our TIE appointment after our Digital Nomad Visa application was approved! I cannot say enough about how thorough and professional Irina is. I am grateful we had her by our side throughout this whole process. She answered every question we had thoroughly, including offering referrals for services we might require before and after receiving our visa. She went the extra mile to make sure we understood each step we were taking, so we never felt out of the loop. Even the best application can be denied if the paperwork and evidence aren’t properly prepared, and that’s why I recommend to everyone that they hire Irina at Malaga Expat if they’re looking to immigrate to Spain. We couldn’t be happier with her representation!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jeffrey Click 
 June 24, 2026
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Irina Saltmarsh, of Malaga Expat, provided us with relocation  and immigration visa assistance on our move from the United States to Torremolinos, Spain. She was invaluable in getting us through the necessary processes of getting our NLV visa. She gave us step by step instructions of the necessary documents, photos, health insurance, financial records needed to secure the Visas. Led us through what to expect at our visa appointment. She also help us immensely after we arrived with appointments for the necessary TIE and Padron along with personal assistance at the appointments! She is always cheery and knowledgeable! I would definitely recommended her for expats relocating the Malaga area!