International buyer's guide

Spain doesn't require residency to buy a home: every year tens of thousands of foreign buyers acquire their home by the sea here (around 93,000 transactions in 2024). With the right preparation it's a safe, transparent process. This guide sums up the essentials; Tatjana supports you at every step, in your language.

The NIE: your first step

The NIE (Foreigner's Identification Number) is the one essential requirement to buy: with it you sign before the notary, pay the taxes and register the property. Everyone who will appear on the deed needs their own, even if only one person provides the funds.

You can apply for it in Spain or at the Spanish consulate in your country. It's best to request it as early as possible: delaying it is the most common reason a purchase drags on.

Bank account and source of funds

Opening an account at a Spanish bank isn't always mandatory, but in practice it's almost essential: from it you pay the purchase taxes, the utilities and the transfers of the transaction.

Under anti-money-laundering rules, banks are required to verify the source of the money, especially with non-resident buyers. Having documents ready — tax returns, payslips, bank certificates or the contract of a previous sale — speeds up the process considerably.

What does it really cost? Taxes and fees

A fact that surprises many: foreign buyers pay exactly the same purchase taxes as Spaniards. There's no surcharge for being a foreigner or a non-resident.

On a resale home in Catalonia you pay the Property Transfer Tax (around 10%, in bands according to the price); on a new build, 10% VAT plus Stamp Duty. Add notary, registry and administrative fees. As a rule of thumb, budget roughly an additional 11–13% on top of the price.

These figures are indicative and may vary depending on the case and current regulations: before you sign anything, we prepare the exact calculation of your transaction with you.

Buying without travelling: the power of attorney

Most international buyers complete the transaction through a power of attorney granted in their own country. With it, their representative in Spain can sign the deposit and the deed, pay the taxes and set up the utilities without the buyer having to travel.

It's a completely legal and common method in international purchases, and lets you save the trip for what matters: getting to know the house and the area.

The process, from reservation to keys

The usual steps are: reservation and deposit contract, signing of the deed before the notary, payment of taxes and registration at the Land Registry, and transfer of the utilities into your name.

The costliest mistakes: signing a deposit without first checking the charges and planning status of the property, budgeting only the price without the fees, delaying the NIE, or not checking whether the home can be legally rented to tourists when that's the intention. All of this is reviewed before committing a single euro.

After buying: annual obligations

As an owner you'll pay the annual IBI (municipal property tax), refuse charges and, where applicable, the community of owners fees. Non-residents also file an annual return (non-resident income tax, form 210), even when the home is for personal use; and if it's rented out, the income is declared.

These are simple formalities that any local administrative agency handles for a moderate fee; we put you in touch with trusted professionals in the area.