Note
Planning a property viewing trip to Spain
Quick answer
Fix the shortlist and the questions before you book flights, group the viewings by area, see each home at least once in daylight and record the same facts every time. Do not pay any deposit on the trip itself unless your lawyer has checked the registry entry.
Applies toBuyers travelling from abroad to see homes in person. Buyers who plan to view online only should read the section on buying from abroad.
On this page: 5 sections
§ 1Before you fly
A trip works when the shortlist is already filtered on paper. Ask for the registry entry and the basic papers for each home, and drop any that show unexplained debts or a seller who is not the registered owner. The search itself is covered in finding a home to buy, and the papers you should hold are in the buyer's requirements.
Then plan the days. Group homes by area so you are not crossing a region between viewings, and ask the agent for exact times and the seller's contact. Leave a free half day at the end to revisit the home you liked most.
§ 2What to record at each home
Take the same notes every time, so homes can be compared afterwards:
- The condition of the roof, walls, windows, damp areas and electrics
- Noise at the time of day you visit, and the neighbours you can see
- The orientation and the light in each room
- The state of common areas and what the owners' association says about works
- Anything the seller says that you should confirm in writing
Photograph the home and the entry to the building, and the meter and the utilities if you can. A second visit at a different hour, such as the evening, shows what the first visit hid.
§ 3What to ask and what to hold back
Ask about the annual property tax, the monthly community fee and any approved works for which owners will be charged. The registrars advise checking the registry entry, the last tax receipt, the community fee position and the energy and habitability certificates before signing. The seller remains liable for non-obvious defects unless you release them, so do not sign a clause that releases them unless your lawyer has explained the consequences.
Hold back on money. Notaries prefer payment by transfer recorded in the deed, so a cash handover or a deposit paid in the street is a poor idea. Putting in an offer explains what a deposit commits you to.
§ 4After the trip
Write up your notes within a day, while you remember the differences. Compare the homes against your budget and purpose, and send the leading candidate to your lawyer. The list of things to check shows where the trip fits.
The time a purchase needs shows how quickly you may have to decide, and the process from offer to registration shows the order of everything that follows.
§ 5A note on pressure
Some sellers and agents press for a decision on the day, saying that another buyer is waiting. You cannot check that claim, and a purchase of this size does not need to be decided in an afternoon. A home that is sold to someone else because you asked for the registry entry to be read was probably not a home worth having. If the pressure continues after you have said that you need a few days, treat it as part of what you learn about the seller.
FAQRelated questions
How many days should a viewing trip last?
Long enough to see a shortlist without hurrying. Many buyers plan a few days, with two or three viewings a day grouped by area, and keep a spare half day to revisit the leading candidate. The right length depends on how spread out the homes are.
Should I bring a lawyer on the trip?
Not necessarily to every viewing. A lawyer can read the registry entry and papers from a distance before you travel. What helps most on the trip is that the papers are already checked, so you view only homes that pass.
Is it safe to pay a reservation deposit during the trip?
Do not pay until the registry entry has been read by someone acting for you. A deposit paid on the day is difficult to recover. Notaries prefer payment by transfer recorded in the deed, so keep proof of any payment and its purpose.
Sources
- Consejo General del Notariado: Houses and real estate properties (official source, opens in a new window), Steps, documents and the notary's roleLast checked 17 October 2026
- Colegio de Registradores de España: Cómo comprar una vivienda en España (edición revisada, February 2020) (official source, opens in a new window), The five steps, nota simple, taxes and costsLast checked 17 October 2026
General information only. This is not legal, tax or financial advice. Check your own situation with a qualified adviser.