Real Estate Law · Spain
Buying Property in Spain With a Lawyer Who Protects You
Foreign buyers lose money on Spanish property deals for avoidable reasons — hidden debts attached to the property, a contract signed before the due diligence was finished, taxes or fees paid twice. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted property lawyer who handles the entire purchase, from the first reservation agreement to the keys and the land registry.
- Lawyers who work with foreign buyers every day
- Full due diligence on the property and its debts
- No fee to get matched
No commitment. No hidden fees.
Get matched with a lawyer
Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Who this is for
Buying a home, a holiday flat or an investment property in Spain
Buying property in Spain as a foreigner is completely legal and very common — but the process runs on a different legal system, a different language and a different set of taxes and fees than you may be used to. Whether you’re buying a home to relocate, a coastal flat as a second residence, or a property as a long-term investment, the purchase is registered through a notary and the Spanish land registry, and any debt or charge attached to the property follows the property itself, not the seller. A property lawyer who works with foreign buyers reviews the paperwork before you commit, so the deal you sign is the deal you think you signed.
Where foreign buyers lose money
A Spanish property purchase goes wrong in predictable ways
The risks are well documented — and almost all of them are caught by proper due diligence before you pay.
Hidden debts on the property
Unpaid community fees, mortgages or charges registered against the property travel with it. Buy without a registry and debt check, and you can inherit the seller’s liabilities on a property you thought was clean.
Signing before the checks are done
Eager sellers and agents push for a signature quickly. Once you sign a private contract or hand over a deposit, it’s far harder to walk away — a lawyer verifies the ownership, the debts and the licences before that moment.
Taxes and fees you didn’t budget
Purchase tax, notary and registry fees, plus ongoing property and wealth taxes, vary by region and property type. Getting the figures wrong can turn a good investment into a costly surprise at completion.
What you get
A property lawyer who handles the whole purchase
We only match you with lawyers who complete Spanish property purchases for foreign buyers as their everyday work.
Full due diligence
Your lawyer checks the land registry, confirms the seller actually owns the property, and uncovers any debts, charges, embargoes or urban planning issues before you commit a single euro.
Contract review & negotiation
The reservation agreement, the private purchase contract and the notary deeds are reviewed line by line and negotiated in your interest — in your language, so you understand every clause you sign.
NIE, taxes & paperwork
Your lawyer arranges your Spanish tax identification number, calculates the exact taxes and fees for your region, and makes sure every payment is correct and on time.
Completion & registration
At completion your lawyer attends the notary, verifies the payment and keys, and registers your ownership in the land registry so your title is legally secure.
Coverage
Property lawyers across Spain
Spanish property law is national, but regional taxes and local rules change the picture, so the right lawyer is one who knows your region’s specifics. We match buyers across the country’s main destinations and beyond:
Frequently asked
Buying property in Spain — common questions
Do I need a Spanish tax number (NIE) to buy property?
Yes. Every foreign buyer needs a Spanish tax identification number (NIE) to complete a purchase, pay taxes and register the property. A property lawyer can arrange it for you as part of the purchase.
What are the main costs when buying property in Spain?
On top of the purchase price you should budget for purchase tax (the rate and name vary by region and whether the property is new or resale), notary fees, land registry fees and the lawyer’s fees. Your lawyer gives you an exact breakdown for your specific case.
Is my deposit protected if the sale falls through?
It depends on what the contract says and why the deal failed. A well-drafted private contract sets out exactly what happens to your deposit in each scenario, which is why review before signing is so important.
What is a reservation agreement (contrato de arras)?
It is a preliminary contract in which you pay a deposit to take the property off the market while checks are completed. If either side withdraws without cause, the agreement sets out the penalty — a lawyer makes sure those terms protect you.
Can I buy off-plan (new build) property safely?
Off-plan purchases carry extra risk because the property does not exist yet. Your lawyer checks the developer’s licences and the bank guarantees that protect your stage payments before you sign.
How long does a Spanish property purchase take?
Typically one to three months from reservation to completion, depending on financing and how quickly the checks are done. Having your lawyer and paperwork ready from the start keeps the process moving.
Free case review
Buy your Spanish property with your eyes open
Tell us what you’re planning to buy and we’ll connect you with a property lawyer who handles Spanish purchases for foreign buyers every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.