Buying in Spain
A Spanish purchase. A clearer experience.
Spain is straightforward to buy in once you know the sequence. This section sets out the process, the costs, the documents and the decisions — without pretending to be legal or tax advice.
A structured process
Five stages from first conversation to completion, each with a document and a decision attached. You always know what is next.
Independent advice
Your lawyer acts for you, not for the seller, and completes the title, planning and debt checks before you commit contractually.
Costs you can plan for
We set out the categories of acquisition and ongoing cost early, so the budget you set at the start is the budget you work to.
Built for remote buyers
Live viewings, power of attorney where needed, and a portal that keeps the whole purchase visible from another country.
The process
From first conversation to completion.
A short qualification call or a few questions in the search. We want your non-negotiables and your preferences listed separately — it changes what we show you.
You receive a considered shortlist with the reasoning attached, not a dump of everything that matches a filter. Where something is close but not exact, we say what is off.
Viewings are arranged around your trip, including live remote viewings where travel is not practical. You get an organised itinerary, not a list of addresses.
Offer, reservation and private contract, with independent legal checks. Everything is recorded in your portal so you can see exactly where the purchase stands.
Notary, registry and the practical handover — utilities, community, keys. You keep access to your documents afterwards.
Costs
Budget for categories, not guesses.
Acquisition costs vary with the property type, the region and your own circumstances, so we do not publish a single headline percentage. What we do is set out the categories early and confirm the current rules with a professional before you commit.
- On purchaseTransfer tax or VAT, notary fees, land registry, legal fees
- If financingArrangement and valuation costs, plus currency conversion
- Each yearLocal property tax, community fees, insurance, utilities
- Non-resident ownersOngoing Spanish tax filings via a fiscal representative
- On saleTax on any gain, with non-resident withholding at completion
Categories only. Amounts depend on your circumstances and current regional rules.
The portal
Everything you need to know, in one place.
Purchase status
Legal review
Your chosen property
- Property selected✓
- Viewing completed✓
- Offer accepted✓
- Reservation✓
- Legal reviewTitle and planning checks under way
- NotaryUpcoming
- CompletionUpcoming
Next action
Upload the documents your lawyer asks for
Guides
The detail, written out.
FAQ
Questions we are asked most.
Can a foreigner buy property in Spain?
Yes. Non-residents can buy freehold property in Spain on the same basis as residents. You will need an NIE and a Spanish bank account, and you should take independent legal advice.
How long does a purchase take?
From accepted offer to completion is commonly a matter of weeks rather than months, depending on the complexity of the title and whether a mortgage is involved. Cash purchases complete more quickly.
Do I have to travel to Spain?
Not strictly. A power of attorney allows your lawyer to sign on your behalf. That said, most buyers want at least one viewing trip before committing to a specific property.
What is a gestor or a fiscal representative?
A gestor handles administrative procedures with Spanish authorities. Non-resident owners usually appoint a fiscal representative for their ongoing Spanish tax filings.
Is MONTARA a law firm or tax adviser?
No. MONTARA coordinates the process and the people in it. Legal, tax and notarial work is carried out by qualified professionals acting independently.
MONTARA is not a law firm or tax adviser and nothing here is legal or tax advice. Independent professionals act for you.