Buying Guides
Practical, plain-English guidance on every stage of buying property on Spain’s Mediterranean coast. Understand the process, the costs, the legal requirements, and what to expect at each step.
Educational guidance
Guide topics
The Complete Buying Process
A step-by-step overview of how the property purchase process works in Spain, from initial research through to completion. Understand the sequence of events, the key parties involved, and what happens at each stage.
Costs and Taxes
A breakdown of the purchase costs and taxes involved in buying a property in Spain, including transfer tax, VAT, stamp duty, notary and land registry fees, and ongoing ownership costs such as IBI and wealth tax.
Legal Process and Requirements
The legal steps and documentation required to buy property in Spain as a foreign buyer, including obtaining an NIE number, working with a notary, registering the property, and the role of a solicitor.
Mortgages and Financing for Foreign Buyers
An overview of how mortgages work for international buyers in Spain, including eligibility criteria, typical loan-to-value ratios, interest rates, and the documentation required to secure financing.
Residency and Visas for Non-EU Buyers
Information about residency options and visa requirements for non-EU buyers purchasing property in Spain, including the golden visa, non-lucrative visa, and digital nomad visa.
Property Types Explained
A guide to the different property types available on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, including new builds, resale properties, off-plan purchases, and the key considerations for each.
Renovation and Property Management
Practical advice on renovating a property in Spain and managing it from abroad, including finding contractors, understanding permits, and maintaining the property as a non-resident owner.
Insurance and Utilities
Information about the insurance policies and utility connections required for property ownership in Spain, including home insurance, community fees, and setting up electricity, water, and internet.
Selling Property in Spain
What to expect when selling a property in Spain, including the sales process, costs involved, capital gains tax implications, and how the timeline compares to the buying process.
Currency Exchange and International Transfers
Guidance on managing currency exchange and international money transfers when buying property in Spain, including how exchange rates work, transfer timing, and specialist currency services.
How the Buying Guides Fit Together
The buying guides are part of a broader journey that takes you from initial curiosity to confident property purchase. They sit at the stage where you understand the destination and want to learn about the process, the costs, and the practical requirements of buying property in Spain.
The guides are designed to be read in sequence or used as reference material for specific questions. Each topic addresses a distinct stage of the property-buying process, from the initial overview through to post-purchase ownership considerations.
Buying Education for Every Coast
The buying process in Spain is broadly consistent across all regions, but each coast has its own property market characteristics, price ranges, and buyer profiles. Use the buying guides alongside the destination guides to understand both the process and the place.
Ready to begin your research?
Explore the destination guides to find the coast that suits you, then return here to learn about the buying process. When you are ready, the Property Finder will help match your preferences to available properties.