Find your local Spanish property lawyers or tax adviser anywhere in Spain in our HTBIS network.
Buying a property in Spain is easy as we described here The 9 steps to your Spanish Property but there could be many pitfalls.
We wrote an extensive article covering the legal and tax aspects of property acquisition in Spain:
Why do you need Spanish property lawyers and tax partners for your property acquisition in Spain?
Independent means that they work to protect your interest, not the one of the real estate agent or the one of the developer.
Find your property lawyer in Spain
Find your local real estate lawyers or tax expert from our network
Click on any city to find your local real estate lawyer part of the HTBIS network:
Alicante Almería Altea Andorra Ayamonte Badalona Barcelona Benahavis Benidorm Cádiz Calpe Cartagena Castellón Córdoba Elche Estepona Fuengirola Fuerteventura Girona Granada Guadalajara Huelva Ibiza Javea Lanzarote Lleida Madrid Málaga Mallorca Manilva Marbella Mataró Mijas Miramar Murcia Navarra Ojen Orihuela Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Palma de Mallorca La Rioja San Cristóbal de la Laguna Santa Cruz de Tenerife Sevilla Sitges Sotogrande Tarragona Telde Tenerife Toledo Torrevieja Valencia Vilajoyosa Zaragoza
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click on your country flag to check if we have already a partner, if we don’t have a partner, you will get our property buyers guide dedicated to your home country.
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If you want to have further advice from a lawyer from your home country we could help you as well.
If you don’t find a property lawyer in your city, just ask us directly we are constantly adding new partners and we will search in our network.
Here is why Spanish property lawyers are strongly advised for property purchase in Spain – our 2 minutes video
Would you like to watch this video in your own language? Click at the bottom right of the video on “cc” to get subtitles in your language.
Too busy to read our article? Here is our quick-read summary:
Spanish property lawyers: 11 compelling reasons why you need one.
- The Spanish notary, while responsible for preparing the contract and issuing public deeds, has limited obligations and investigations that may not fully protect the buyer’s interests.
- The role of the lawyer is essential in collecting the necessary documents and conducting audit procedures to help the buyer understand the ins and outs of his property purchase.
- Lawyers assist in procuring documents like the general assemblies of co-ownership, energy supply invoices, occupancy licenses, the urban planning report, and others that are not readily accessible.
- Real estate agents may argue that not all these documents are necessary for the purchase, but these documents provide vital information to understand what the buyer is purchasing.
- Legal representation can help prevent issues that might arise due to improper due diligence, such as buying a property in a green space where the building is forbidden or property with latent urban charges.
- Lawyers work closely with the Spanish notary to ensure the property purchase is watertight.
- Lawyers can make the communication of non-mandatory but essential information contractually mandatory to prevent unforeseen issues.
- Having a lawyer can help to avoid potential legal pitfalls, such as purchasing a property for a value lower than the cadastral value.
- Lawyers help review and carefully draft the contract of “reservation”, which forms a private contract of purchase.
- Lawyers help understand whether a non-resident buyer can legally purchase certain properties in Spain.
- Legal assistance can help mitigate the risk of purchasing a property in areas where building restrictions apply.
Let’s have a look into more details at why you actually need a property lawyer in Spain. Have a look at all our interesting information here:
Buying real estate in Spain: Is a Spanish Notary enough?
- Why an independent lawyer is strongly advised?
- Many issues could happen when you buy a property if you don’t do your due diligence properly
- That is why your Spanish lawyer will work for you hand in hand with the Spanish notary to make everything watertight.
Buying a property in Spain as a foreigner
- The practical aspects linked to the purchase of your Spanish property as a foreigner.
- Are you allowed to buy a property in Spain as a foreigner?
- Who is buying the Spanish property?
- What are the impacts of your matrimonial regime if you are buying a property in Spain?
- What documents should you provide if you are buying a property in Spain?
- How do you finance your Spanish property purchase? Do you need a mortgage?
Legal due diligence on your Spanish property
- Legal due diligence checklist for a Resale property in Spain
- How do you settle the IBI tax, “Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles”, between the seller and the buyer?
- Pay attention to the pre-emptive rights of the administration
- Legal due diligence checklist for a new build (or “off Plan”) property purchase in Spain
- Once the construction has been finished a few items should be checked
Taxes related to:
- the acquisition of a property (new build or resale),
- the ownership of a property, and
- the sale of the property.
Inheritance, Estate Planning and Granting a Will in Spain
- The Spanish last will and testament will make the process of succession and inheritance over your Spanish assets quicker, easier and less costly.
Further reading? Check our dedicated blog with all our articles from our legal and tax partners specialised in Spanish Real Estate.
Here are some of our published articles on Spanish property laws:
- Our ultimate guide to buying your property in Spain
- What is the real cost of owning your Spanish property?
- What is the real cost of buying a Property in Spain?
- Your ultimate guide to your Spanish NIE number – NIE Spain
- Buying your property in Spain?
- Tourist rental in Spain: What is it? Is it legal?
- The limitation on housing rental prices in Catalonia
- What are the Community property laws in Spain?
- Plusvalia tax: Big refunds could be on the way for home sellers over “Wrong tax charge” in Spain
- Inheritance, Estate Planning and Granting a Will in Spain
- What taxes do you have to pay on your Spanish property?
- What is the legal due diligence for your Spanish property?
- How to buy a property in Spain as a foreigner?
- Buying a property in Spain: Is a Spanish notary enough?
- Your ultimate legal checklist of your future Spanish property
- Do you plan to buy or rent a property in Spain? Consult your property tax advisor in Spain first!
- How can we calculate the Transmission Tax on a Spanish Property?
- How to protect yourself against Hidden defects on a Spanish Property? Property survey in Spain
- An update on the short-term rental regulation in Andalusia
- Property purchase in Spain with usufruct and bare ownership
- The municipal added value Tax on your Spanish property
- Tourist apartments in Spain
- What should you pay attention to when buying a property in Spain?
- Spain property tax: What are the taxes involved in the purchase, holding, and sale of your Spanish property?
- Do you want to rent your property in Costa Blanca or in the Valencian region?
- Why buy a property in Spain? The View of a Spanish Notary
- Tax Residence, Why is it important for you? Why do you have to pay taxes in Spain?(Part II)
- Tax Residence. Why is it important for you? Definition and examples(Part I)
- Our top 10 pieces of advice for buying your property in Spain
- Top 8 tips for not wasting money when you buy in Spain
Our FAQ on Legal work when buying your property in Spain.
Do I need a solicitor to buy a house in Spain?
While it's not legally obligatory to have a solicitor for buying a house in Spain, it's strongly recommended, particularly for foreign buyers. The process involves complex legalities that a solicitor can expertly navigate. HowToBuyInSpain.com has a network of local real estate lawyers ready to assist with your property purchase, ensuring a smooth and secure transaction.
What are the legal requirements for buying property in Spain?
To legally purchase property in Spain, you need an NIE Number (tax identification), a Spanish bank account for funds transfer, and it's advisable to obtain a Land Registry Report to verify the property's legal status. While having legal representation isn't obligatory, it's highly suggested due to the complexity of the process. Various taxes and fees, such as property transfer tax or VAT and notary fees, must also be accounted for. Changes in property laws underscore the importance of current, professional advice. To streamline the process, HowToBuyInSpain.com offers assistance through its network of local legal advisors, ensuring a safe and efficient property purchase.
How much are solicitors fees in Spain?
The cost of solicitors' fees in Spain can vary, contingent on the intricacy and duration of the procedure. Generally, you can anticipate professional legal charges to fall between 1% and 1.5% of the property's purchase price, in addition to the prevailing VAT rate at the time of purchase.
How long does a property purchase take in Spain?
The timeline for a property purchase in Spain can vary widely based on several factors such as the property's status, financing arrangements, and legal complexities. Generally, if all goes smoothly, the process can take approximately 6 to 8 weeks from the point of agreeing on the sale to completing the transaction. However, it's important to note that this is a guideline and delays can occur. It's advised to have legal support to ensure a smooth process. This timeline doesn't include the time you may need for property hunting and decision-making.
Alicante Almería Altea Ayamonte Badalona Barcelona Benahavis Cádiz Calpe Cartagena Castellón de la Plana Córdoba Elche Estepona Fuengirola Girona Granada Guadalajara Huelva Ibiza Javea Lleida Madrid Málaga Mallorca Marbella Mataró Mijas Miramar Murcia Navarra Ojen Orihuela Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Palma de Mallorca La Rioja San Cristóbal de la Laguna Santa Cruz de Tenerife Sevilla Sotogrande Tarragona Telde Toledo Torrevieja Valencia Vilajoyosa Zaragoza