How to Prepare for Buying Real Estate in Spain

Spain has been one of the favorite places for Poles to buy real estate for years. Here are some reasons why investing in Spanish property is a good choice:
✅ Friendly climate: Over 300 sunny days a year, ideal for health and well-being.
✅ Attractive prices: Property prices in Spain are often lower than in major cities in Poland.
✅ Investment with potential: Spain is a popular tourist destination, creating opportunities for short-term rentals.
✅ Ease of travel: Numerous direct flights from Poland to Spain (Alicante, Malaga, Barcelona, Madrid).
✅ High quality of life: Great cuisine, access to the sea, low living costs compared to Western Europe.

🧾 Complete Checklist for Buying Real Estate in Spain

1. Define Your Goal and Budget

Before you start your search, answer a few questions:

💰 What is your budget? Remember that in addition to the property price, you need to add about 10–15% in additional costs (taxes, notary, legal fees).
🏠 What type of property are you interested in? A seaside apartment, a house in the mountains, or perhaps a villa with a pool?
📅 What is your goal? Tourist rental, permanent residence, or maybe an investment for the future?

👉 Browse listings tailored to your budget: See property listings in Spain

2. Choose a Location – Where to Buy Property in Spain?

Spain has many beautiful regions, and the choice of location depends on your preferences and budget:

🏝️ Costa del Sol (Malaga, Marbella, Estepona):

A popular region with excellent climate year-round.
Ideal for short-term rentals (high tourist traffic).
Exclusive villas, apartments in modern complexes.

☀️ Costa Blanca (Alicante, Torrevieja, Benidorm):

Affordable property prices.
Large Polish community.
Excellent communication with Poland – direct flights to Alicante.

🏞️ Murcia and Costa Cálida:

A quieter region, often cheaper than Costa del Sol.
Ideal for families and those seeking tranquility.
Great conditions for golfers.

🌇 Barcelona and Costa Brava:

High potential for long-term and short-term rentals.
Culture, nightlife, and beaches in one place.
Higher prices, but also greater return on investment.

🏙️ Madrid and Valencia:

Ideal for long-term rentals.
High demand for apartments in the city center.

👉 Check available properties in your favorite locations:

3. Obtain a NIE Number – A Key Document for Buyers

NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is an identification number for foreigners, required for:
✅ Purchasing property
✅ Opening a bank account
✅ Signing a contract with a notary

How to obtain a NIE number?
📍 At the Spanish consulate in Poland (Warsaw, Krakow)
📍 Directly in Spain – at the police station (Policía Nacional)
📍 Through a representative (lawyer, gestor)

4. Open a Bank Account in Spain

To purchase property, you will need a Spanish bank account. A bank account will also facilitate:
✅ Paying bills for water, electricity, and internet
✅ Paying property taxes
✅ Managing a mortgage

📌 Recommended banks for foreigners:

Banco Santander
CaixaBank
Banco Sabadell
BBVA

5. Choose a Real Estate Agency and Lawyer

Buying property in a foreign country without knowledge of legal regulations can be risky. Therefore, it is advisable to use the services of professionals:

🏡 Real Estate Agency:

Will help find listings tailored to your needs.
Will organize visits and presentations of properties.
Will conduct price negotiations.

⚖️ Lawyer (Abogado):

Will check the legal status of the property (Nota Simple).
Will prepare and analyze contracts.
Will secure your interests during the transaction.

👉 Learn about our services: Our Real Estate Agency in Spain

6. Check the Legal Status of the Property – Nota Simple

Nota Simple is a document from the property registry (Registro de la Propiedad) that contains key information:
✅ Who owns the property
✅ Whether the property is not encumbered (mortgage)
✅ Whether there are restrictions on use

Always check the Nota Simple before signing the preliminary contract!

7. Sign the Preliminary Contract (Contrato de Arras)

After choosing the property, the next step is to sign the preliminary contract (Contrato de Arras). The most important elements of the contract are:
✅ Property price
✅ Purchase conditions
✅ Deposit amount (usually 10% of the property value)

💡 If the seller withdraws from the transaction, they must return double the deposit. If you withdraw, you lose the deposit.

8. Apply for a Mortgage (Optional)

If you plan to purchase with a loan, you need to present to the bank:
✅ NIE number
✅ Income certificate (e.g., PIT)
✅ Bank account statement
✅ Preliminary contract

🏦 Mortgage conditions for foreigners in Spain:

📉 Down payment: Min. 30% of the property value
🗓️ Loan term: Up to 25-30 years
💳 Interest rate: Usually variable (EURIBOR + margin) or fixed

9. Sign the Notarial Deed (Escritura Pública)

The final step is to sign the deed of ownership (Escritura Pública) with a notary. At this point:
✅ Ownership rights are transferred
✅ You receive the keys to the property
✅ The document is registered in the property registry

💡 After signing the deed of ownership, you need to pay taxes and registration fees.

10. Settle Taxes and Additional Costs

After purchasing property in Spain, you will face additional costs:

📜 Property transfer tax (ITP) – secondary market: Ranges from 6% to 10% of the property value, depending on the region.
🏠 VAT (IVA) – primary market: For the purchase of new property, the VAT rate is 10% of the value.
🖋️ Notary fee and registration fee: Usually costs from 1% to 2% of the property value.
📂 Lawyer's services: Legal service fee ranges from 1% to 1.5% of the property value.
💳 Agency fee (if applicable): When purchasing through a real estate agency, the commission usually ranges from 3% to 5% of the property value.

It is worth remembering that the total cost of purchasing property in Spain (including taxes and fees) is usually around 10–15% of the property value.

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💡 What to Do After Buying Property?

🏠 Register as an owner at the municipal office (Empadronamiento)
💳 Sign contracts for utilities (electricity, water, internet)
💰 Settle property tax (IBI)

🏡 Find Your Property in Spain – Check Our Listings:

📈 Summary

Buying property in Spain is an excellent investment, but it requires thorough preparation. Our checklist will help you safely navigate the entire process – from choosing a location to signing the notarial deed. If you are looking for your place under the Spanish sun, we invite you to browse our listings and contact our experts.

👉 Start your real estate adventure in Spain: See property listings

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