📞 +34 965 792 946 · +34 607 320 768
📞 +34 965 792 946 · +34 607 320 768
Spain remains one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for property investment, particularly along the Costa Blanca. Whether you are looking for a holiday home, a permanent residence, or an investment property, understanding the legal process is essential to protect your interests. At Tomas Ballestero Lawyers, we have guided thousands of international buyers through every step of the Spanish conveyancing process from our offices in Jávea.
Spain offers a unique combination of climate, lifestyle, infrastructure, and value. The Costa Blanca region in particular benefits from over 300 days of sunshine per year, excellent healthcare facilities, international schools, and direct flight connections to major European cities. Property prices in the Alicante and Valencia provinces remain significantly lower than comparable Mediterranean locations in France or Italy, while offering the same quality of life.
The Spanish property purchase process differs significantly from other European countries. Having experienced legal representation is not just advisable — it is essential. Here is an overview of the key steps involved.
The Número de Identificación de Extranjero (NIE) is a tax identification number required for all property transactions in Spain. Your lawyer can apply for this on your behalf using a Power of Attorney, saving you a trip to Spain before the purchase.
Before committing to any purchase, your lawyer must carry out comprehensive legal checks. These include verifying the seller’s title at the Land Registry (Registro de la Propiedad), confirming the property is free of debts, charges, and encumbrances, checking urban planning compliance with the local Town Hall, verifying that the property description matches the Catastro (cadastral) records, and reviewing community of owners statutes and any outstanding fees.
Once due diligence is satisfactory, a reservation deposit (typically €3,000–€6,000) secures the property while your lawyer prepares the private purchase contract (contrato de arras). The arras contract usually requires a 10% deposit and establishes the terms of the sale, completion date, and penalties for withdrawal.
The sale is completed before a Spanish Notary Public, where the escritura pública (title deed) is signed and the balance of the purchase price is paid. Your lawyer can represent you at the notary under Power of Attorney if you cannot be present.
After completion, your lawyer registers the title deed at the Land Registry, pays the applicable taxes (ITP or IVA), sets up direct debits for utilities and IBI (council tax), and ensures all documentation is in order. This post-completion phase is critical and often overlooked by buyers who attempt the process without legal assistance.
Buyers should budget approximately 12–14% of the purchase price for taxes and costs. For resale properties, Transfer Tax (ITP) in the Valencia region is 10%. For new-build properties, VAT (IVA) is 10% plus Stamp Duty (AJD) of 1.5%. Additional costs include notary fees, Land Registry fees, legal fees, and mortgage arrangement fees if applicable.
Each town on the Costa Blanca has its own character, market conditions, and local regulations. Explore our detailed guides for each location:
Buying Property in Jávea | Buying Property in Calpe | Buying Property in Moraira | Buying Property in Benidorm | Buying Property in Altea | Buying Property in Dénia | Buying Property in Benissa | Buying Property in Pedreguer | Buying Property in Ondara
With over 15 years of experience advising international property buyers on the Costa Blanca and Valencia, our team provides end-to-end legal support in English, Dutch, French, German, and Spanish. We are based in Jávea with direct knowledge of every town from Benidorm to Dénia. Our firm handles the entire conveyancing process, from NIE applications through to post-completion registration, ensuring your investment is fully protected.
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