Spanish Property Guide for U.S. Citizens

A free guide for Americans who own, or are about to own, a property in Spain. It explains how buying, selling, inheriting and gifting a property work on the Spanish side, and what you can do from the United States without travelling. Written by Tomas Ballestero Lawyers, independent lawyers in Jávea for more than 30 years.

The guideWhat is inside

• The essentialsThe NIE, the role of the Spanish notary and the Land Registry, explained for American owners.
• BuyingThe legal checks, the contrato de arras, completion, the purchase taxes and the registration.
• SellingThe documents, the 3% retention for non-resident sellers and your Spanish taxes on the sale.
• InheritingWhich law applies, the US documents the notary needs, Spanish inheritance tax and the deadline to file it.
• GiftingThe deed of donation, the structures families use and the Spanish taxes involved.
• From the United StatesPowers of attorney signed at a Spanish consulate or before a notary public with the apostille.

Your caseWhen you need more than a guide

Every case is different. If you would like us to handle your matter in Spain, in person or by power of attorney, tell us in a few lines what it is about. We reply the same day. See also property lawyers for American clients, selling a property in Spain as an American citizen, gifting a property in Spain as an American citizen and Spanish inheritance for American citizens.

This guide is general information and does not replace advice on your own case. We are Spanish lawyers and cover the Spanish side only; it does not cover US tax or US law. Tomas Ballestero Lawyers has advised international clients on Spanish property for more than 30 years, from our office in Jávea and our associated office in Dénia. We work in English, French and Spanish.

The lawyers who will handle your matter

José Manuel Tomas

Property, 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

Property, Inheritance and Donations · Valencia Bar no. 7773

Juan Poch

Property, Inheritance and Donations · Alicante Bar no. 3607

María Salvá

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

Antonio Rodríguez de Sola

Property, 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.