Note
Completion day when buying property in Spain
Quick answer
On completion day you and the seller meet at the notary with identity documents. The notary checks identities, capacity and the property, explains the deed, records how the price was paid, and everyone signs. The notary keeps the original. You leave with keys, a copy and a list of tasks to finish.
Applies toBuyers preparing for the signing, whether they attend in person or through someone else.
On this page: 8 sections
§ 1Before you arrive
By the day of the signing, you should have read the draft deed, resolved the points you disagreed with, and arranged the payment. Your lawyer should have a final statement of the amounts. Check the property one more time shortly before, ideally with a visit, to confirm its state and the inventory. This page is part of the chapter in the rules on completion and the deed.
§ 2Documents to bring
Bring your passport or identity card and your NIE. If you buy through a company, bring its documents and the proof of the representative’s powers. If you act through an attorney, the attorney brings the power and identity. Bring proof of the payment arrangements, such as the bank’s confirmation or the cheque. Ask the notary’s office what else it needs, because it may ask for documents about the source of the funds.
§ 3What the notary does
The notary verifies the identities and capacity of the parties and the ownership and charges of the property, and drafts the deed. The notary reads or explains the deed and answers questions, and gives free, impartial advice to both sides. The notary is not your lawyer, though, and cannot negotiate for you at this point. Ask your questions before signing, and do not sign if something is not as agreed.
§ 4The payment
The notary records how the price was paid, and prefers bank transfer or nominative cheque. If there is a mortgage on the property, the payoff and the cancellation are dealt with at the same time, according to the arrangement your lawyer has made. If the seller is a non-resident, the buyer has a tax retention to make, which is recorded in the deed, as explained in the costs section.
§ 5The signing
Each party signs the deed, and the notary authorises it. The notary keeps the original, in the protocol, and issues copies. The first copy is usually delivered to the buyer or sent to the gestor for the filing. You receive the keys from the seller, and you record the readings of the utilities. Take photographs of the state of the property and the meters.
§ 6What to do the same day
Ask your lawyer or gestor to start the tax filing and the registration. Transfer the utility contracts. Notify the community administrator and give your contact details. Arrange insurance from the date of the signing, since the home is yours from that moment.
§ 7If something goes wrong
If a problem arises at the notary, such as a charge that was not on the extract or a missing paper, do not sign until your lawyer has advised. The notary may suspend the signing, and a delay is better than a mistake. The next step is registration, covered in more on registration.
§ 8More on this topic
More on power of attorney explains how to buy through an attorney and more on signing from abroad explains how to sign the purchase without being in Spain.
FAQRelated questions
What should I bring?
Your passport or identity card, your NIE, proof of payment arrangements, and anything your lawyer has asked for. If you use an interpreter, arrange one in advance. Documents from abroad may need translation, so check the list with your lawyer.
How is the money paid?
Usually by bank transfer or nominative cheque, recorded in the deed. Arrange it with your bank beforehand because large transfers can take time. Avoid cash. Your lawyer will confirm the amounts and the accounts for the price and the cancellation of any mortgage.
How long does it take?
The reading and signing usually take a short time, though the preparation takes longer. Allow time for questions and for the final checks, and do not book travel tightly around the appointment.
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
Legal note. How the process works in general. It is not legal advice, and it never replaces an independent Spanish lawyer acting for you.