Buying Process

How to Buy Property in Spain | 10-Step Process Guide 2026

Complete 10-step guide to buying property in Spain. NIE number, due diligence, notary signing, costs (10-14%), timelines (6-10 weeks). Foreign buyer essentials.

Talk to an Agent

Start here. A good agent filters properties, explains areas, and saves you weeks of searching alone.

Find Your Property

Plan a viewing trip, see 8–12 properties in 2–3 days, and find the one that feels right.

Paperwork Early

Get your NIE and solicitor lined up before you travel. Delays here hold up everything else.

Keys in Hand

From accepted offer to notary signing: typically 4–8 weeks. Then the Spanish life begins.

Contact an Agent Early

Don't wait until you've found a property online. A good agent helps from day one—narrowing down areas, filtering unrealistic listings, and often showing properties before they hit portals. The earlier you connect, the more options you'll see.

Choose Your Location

Spain isn't one property market—it's many micro-markets with different lifestyles, climates, and price points. Explore our interactive area guide to compare towns, or ask your agent to explain the differences.

Set Your Budget

Know your total budget including taxes and fees (10–14% on top of purchase price). See our costs and taxes guide for the full breakdown, or use our cost calculator to get exact numbers.

Calpe old town with Peñón de Ifach in the background — Every area has its own character—from bustling beach towns to quiet hillside villages.

Enjoying pintxos and tapas in Spain — Every area has its own character—from bustling beach towns to quiet hillside villages.

Plan Your Viewing Trip

A well-organised viewing trip covers 8–12 properties over 2–3 days. Talk to our team to schedule viewings before you fly. Alicante and Valencia airports have excellent connections. Many buyers make offers during their first trip.

View with Purpose

Take photos, notes, and video of every property. Check orientation, floor level, and community condition—these details matter more than square metres. Our choosing property guide covers the five factors smart buyers never overlook.

Get Your Legal Team Ready

Before making an offer, have a solicitor lined up. They'll need to start due diligence immediately if your offer is accepted. Your agent can recommend trusted solicitors who work with foreign buyers. See our legal requirements guide for what to expect.

Check These

Orientation and sunlight

Running costs and community fees

Neighbourhood feel and amenities

Utility costs and connections

Watch Out For

Illegal extensions or renovations

Poor building or community condition

Hidden running costs

Outstanding debts or liens

1,000+ Properties to Choose From

From beachfront apartments to hillside villas, modern new-builds to charming resales—we have properties across every price range and lifestyle. Your agent filters the options so you only see what fits.

Browse Properties

Make an Offer

Your agent handles negotiations. Spanish sellers often expect some haggling—5–10% below asking is common for resale. New builds from developers have less room to move on price but may offer extras (furniture, upgrades, closing cost contributions).

Reservation & Due Diligence

Once accepted, you pay a reservation deposit (€3,000–€10,000) to take the property off the market. Your solicitor immediately begins legal checks—typically 1–2 weeks. This is when problems surface if they exist.

Sign the Private Contract

The Contrato de Arras locks in the deal. You pay 10% of the purchase price. If you back out, you lose it. If the seller backs out, they return double. Your solicitor reviews everything before you sign.

This is where your solicitor earns their fee—protecting you from properties with hidden problems. Never skip due diligence to speed things up. For full details on what your solicitor checks and why, see our legal requirements guide.

Sign at the Notary

The big day. You (or your solicitor with power of attorney) attend the notary, sign the Escritura, pay the balance, and receive the keys. The whole appointment takes about an hour. Champagne optional but recommended.

Move In & Set Up

Your agent or solicitor helps transfer utilities into your name—water, electricity, internet. They'll also set up IBI (property tax) payments and community fee direct debits. If you're renting out, you'll need a tourist licence in most areas.

Utilities

Transfer water, electricity, and community accounts to your name

Licences & Tax

Set up IBI payments and rental permits if letting

Management

Arrange insurance and property management if needed

The buying process in Spain is efficient and usually follows a predictable schedule:

Finding the right property: 1–8 weeks
Reservation & due diligence: 1–3 weeks
Signing the private contract: Around week 2 or 3
Mortgage approval (if needed): 3–6 weeks
Completion at the notary: 4–10 weeks after reservation

Most buyers complete the full process in 6–10 weeks. Cash buyers with fast legal checks can sometimes finish in as little as 3–4 weeks. Off-plan and new-build purchases follow a longer, developer-based schedule—typically 12–24 months depending on construction progress.

Weeks from Start to Keys

Most buyers complete the process in 6–10 weeks.

Ready to Start?

Talk to a Property Expert

Get in touch early—our brokers help you find the right area, schedule viewings, and guide you through every step.