Buying property in Spain

You want to invest and secure your property purchase in Spain: I put you in touch with legal professionals in Spain, a partner notary and lawyer specialising in property law and international taxation.

Why I can help

• Securing the purchase legally: land-registry, planning, service charges, conformity of the title
• A Spanish lawyer registered with the bar, used to foreign and French-speaking clients
• A clear, transparent process, with no fees
• You are kept informed of the progress of your file at every stage
• Compliance with the anti-money-laundering (KYC) obligations applicable in Spain

Why a partner lawyer is essential

1. A legal system radically different from French law

• No exact equivalent of the French notary acting as a neutral guarantor of the sale
• Property rules, planning and taxation vary from one autonomous community to another (Catalonia, Andalusia, Valencia…)
• Risks specific to Spain: undeclared buildings, easements not visible in the land registry, unpaid debts attached to the property

2. The lawyer recommended by the seller or the agency is not neutral

• Some agencies work with firms whose interests are aligned with the seller's, which can lead to insufficient checks on the documents
• An independent lawyer, chosen and paid by the buyer alone, removes this structural conflict of interest

3. The cost of a lawyer is negligible compared with the risk

• The risk of an insufficiently secured purchase: cancelled sale, tax reassessment, co-ownership dispute, or even an outright loss

4. Support that goes beyond the signature

• Land-registry and property-register checks (Registro de la Propiedad)
• Obtaining an NIE and opening a Spanish bank account
• Advice on how to structure the purchase (in your own name, a French SCI, a Spanish company) according to your wealth plans
• Post-purchase tax returns (wealth tax, Modelo 720 for residents)

5. Time saved and peace of mind when buying from a distance

• Clients often remain in France for part of the process
• The lawyer secures the key stages without your needing to be physically present throughout

The process in 4 steps

1. Qualification : identifying your needs (budget, region, type of property, timeline)
2. Referral : handing the file over to the partner Spanish lawyer
3. Due diligence : legal, land-registry and tax checks on the property by the lawyer
4. Signing : negotiation, notarial deed and post-purchase follow-up

Who it is for

• You are considering buying a second home or a rental investment in Spain
• You are planning to move abroad or relocate for tax purposes
• You want to invest to diversify your assets internationally