Note

Buying a home to live in Spain

§ 1Moving is more than buying

When you buy to live, the home is one item on a longer list. You must also settle your right to reside, how you will earn or draw income, how you will access healthcare and, if you have children, schooling. Buyers who start with the home and leave the rest for later often find that the rest decides whether the home works.

§ 2Put the residence route first

The right to reside is a separate question from owning, and it depends on your nationality. The official guidance says the identification number can be requested at a consulate when the reason is justified, but that a consular number does not prove residence. For EU individuals the military-zone restriction does not apply, while other nationalities need to check the address. Take advice early, because the answer shapes the timetable of the purchase.

§ 3Why a trial pays off

A move is a big change, and the first months often teach more than the plan did. Renting for a season lets you confirm that you like the area, test the commute and school options and see what the cost of living is in practice. It also gives you time to set up the bank account and register where you live, which many other steps depend on. When you buy afterwards, you buy with experience.

§ 4The budget of a main home

A main home changes the budget in several ways. You will pay the running costs all year, not only on visits, and you will furnish and equip the home fully. The tax on the purchase may be lower in some regions for a main home or a first home, with conditions, so check the rate for the region before you assume it. Keep a reserve for the first year, since unexpected repairs and set-up costs are common.

§ 5The checks do not change

The purchase checks are the same as for any buyer. The registrars advise reading the registry entry, the last property tax receipt, the community fee position and the energy and habitability certificates before signing, and a lawyer who acts only for you should do it. A main home needs the habitability certificate in places where it is required, because it affects utilities and sometimes the mortgage.

§ 6Related purposes

If part of the plan is to use the home for holidays at first, a holiday home sets out the costs of an empty home. If the plan is to retire in a few years, a retirement purchase covers what changes with age.

The three are compared together on why you are buying, which is a good place to confirm that your purpose is the one that drives your choices. Return there if your plan shifts.

General information only. This is not legal, tax or financial advice. Check your own situation with a qualified adviser.