Buying in Spain is not difficult. It is unfamiliar, which is a different problem, and one solved by knowing the sequence before you are standing in it. This is the process as it genuinely runs on the Costa del Sol.
Before you view anything
Two things are worth arranging early because they slow everything down later: an NIE, the Spanish foreigner identification number, and an independent lawyer who is not connected to the seller or the agency.
Independence matters. Your lawyer's only job is to protect your position, and that is easier when they were chosen by you.
- NIE number, applied for in Spain or through a consulate
- Independent Spanish property lawyer
- A Spanish bank account for utilities and taxes
- A clear, honest budget including purchase costs, not just the price
Reservation, then private contract
Once terms are agreed, a reservation deposit takes the property off the market while due diligence runs. Your lawyer then reviews title, planning status, community fees, debts and licences.
If that comes back clean, a private purchase contract follows, usually with a deposit of around ten per cent. From this point both sides are committed, with defined consequences if either walks away.
Completion at the notary
Completion happens in front of a Spanish notary, who witnesses the deed and confirms payment. Keys change hands the same day.
Afterwards the deed is registered and utilities, community membership and tax registrations are transferred. A good lawyer handles this without you needing to be in the country.
Where the process actually goes wrong
Rarely at the notary. Almost always earlier, in the gap between what a property appears to be and what its paperwork says it is: unlicensed extensions, boundary discrepancies, outstanding community debt, or a rental licence assumed rather than held.
This is the practical reason we walk every home before it is shown. Questions asked at the viewing cost nothing. The same questions asked after a private contract cost a great deal.
Do I need to be resident in Spain to buy property?
No. Non-residents can buy freely. You will need an NIE number and, in practice, a Spanish bank account.
How long does the purchase take?
A straightforward resale purchase typically completes within a couple of months of agreeing terms, depending on due diligence and whether a mortgage is involved.
Should I use my own lawyer or the agency's?
Always instruct your own independent lawyer. It is the single most important protection in a Spanish purchase.
Can I buy remotely?
Yes. A power of attorney granted to your lawyer allows completion to proceed without you being present at the notary.
Every property answers these questions differently.
A direct conversation with Deborah about your purchase, before you commit to anything.
Book a private consultation