Power of Attorney in Spain: Buying Property from Abroad

Can’t travel to Spain for your purchase? With a power of attorney, your Spanish lawyer can sign the contract, complete at the notary and deal with everything that follows on your behalf. Tomas Ballestero Lawyers handles purchases by power of attorney for international buyers, from our office in Jávea and our associated office in Dénia, on the Costa Blanca.

Which powerTypes of power of attorney

• Specific powerThe poder especial, limited to a particular purchase or sale. The usual choice for buying a property.
• General powerThe poder general, for a wider range of acts, such as managing a property over time. It gives more scope, so it needs more thought.

We draft the wording for your case, so that it covers what is needed and nothing more.

What we can doWhat your lawyer can do for you

• Sign the private contract with the deposit and the deed of purchase before the notary.
• Pay the purchase taxes and register the property at the Land Registry in your name.
• Transfer the IBI, the community and the utilities into your name.
• Help you with the Spanish bank account needed for the purchase.

Only the NIE has to be applied for in person, in Spain or at a Spanish consulate; it cannot be done by power of attorney.

How to sign itWhere to sign the power of attorney

• In SpainBefore any Spanish notary, if you are here.
• At a Spanish consulateIn your country, with the same effect as before a Spanish notary.
• Before a local notaryThen apostilled and accompanied by a sworn translation, or prepared bilingually.

Frequently asked questions

Can I revoke the power of attorney?

Yes. A power of attorney can be revoked at any time before a notary.

Can the same power be used to sell later?

Only if it says so. A specific power for a purchase does not cover a later sale; we explain the options before you sign.

Which languages do you work in?

English, French and Spanish. Every document is explained to you before you sign. See also when you need a power of attorney in Spain.

How we work

From our office in Jávea and the associated office in Dénia we work across the northern Costa Blanca: Jávea, Dénia, Moraira, Teulada, Benitachell, Benissa, Calpe and Altea. See also property lawyers on the Costa Blanca and the nota simple.

Tomas Ballestero Lawyers has advised international clients on Spanish property for more than 30 years. We work in English, French and Spanish.

The lawyers who will handle your matter

José Manuel Tomas

Conveyancing, Inheritance and Donations · Admitted to the Valencia Bar in 1992 (no. 6407) · Alicante Bar no. 9382

José Rico

Family Law · Valencia Bar no. 12075

Mariano Ortuño

Valencia Bar no. 6041

Manuel Lopez de Andujar

Conveyancing, Inheritance and Donations · Valencia Bar no. 7773

Juan Poch

Conveyancing, Inheritance and Donations · Alicante Bar no. 3607

Rubén Bolufer Martínez

Legal Assistant

María Salvá

Conveyancing, Inheritance and Donations – Dénia · Alicante Bar no. 3699

Antonio Rodríguez de Sola

Conveyancing, Inheritance and Donations – Dénia · Alicante Bar no. 3374

Selling a property? See selling a property in Spain as a non-resident.

How we meetIn person in Jávea, or 100% remote

In person in JáveaMeet us at our office in the Centro Comercial Arenal, Avenida del Pla 126. Meetings in English, French or Spanish.

100% remote, from homeMost of our clients never need to travel. We work by email, phone, WhatsApp and video call, and you sign through a power of attorney. Only the NIE has to be applied for in person, in Spain or at a Spanish consulate.

How much do you charge?

Every case is different, so before any work starts we send you a written quote. You know our fee from the beginning, with no surprises at the end.

Next stepWhat happens when you contact us

1. You send your enquiryThrough the form below, by phone, WhatsApp or email. A few lines are enough.
2. A lawyer reads itNot an assistant: one of our lawyers reviews your situation and replies personally, the same day.
3. We tell you the next stepWhat needs to be checked first, and which documents would help.
4. We confirm scope and feeIn writing, before any work starts.
5. You decideNothing is commissioned until you say yes.

This page is general information about Spanish law and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different and you should take advice on your own circumstances before acting.