The six stages of buying in Spain
A purchase in Spain runs in six stages: decide, budget, choose, check and contract, own and sell, rent out. Each stage has its own page that explains what the stage settles, in what order to work through it and how to know you are ready for the next one. Under each stage sit one or more sections, each section lists its chapters, and each chapter lists its notes.
The bar under the header is a timeline of the six stages. It stays in view as you scroll and marks the stage you are in on any section, chapter or note, so you can always see what comes before and after. The Handbook menu shows every section and chapter and has a search box that finds any page by title.
If you are new to buying in Spain, start with stage 1 and read the stages in order. If you already know what you need, jump to the stage that matches your question. Pages in different sections are linked only where the connection matters, so you will not be sent around in circles.
Stage 1 of 6Decide
Can you buy, should you, and how it works.
The buying process
Six chapters on how a purchase works, who can buy and whether buying is right for you.
6 chapters, 28 notes
Buying property in Spain by nationality
How the rules for buying in Spain differ for British, American, Canadian, Australian, EU and other non-EU buyers.
6 chapters, 19 notes
Residency and tax status for Spanish property owners
Residence, short-stay limits, tax residence and registration for foreign owners of Spanish property.
5 chapters, 18 notes
Spain property market, prices and rules for foreign buyers
What the official figures say about the Spanish market, house prices and the rules that apply to foreign buyers.
3 chapters, 18 notes
Stage 2 of 6Budget and money
Taxes, costs and financing.
Read stage 2: Budget and money
Costs and taxes of buying property in Spain
The taxes and costs on top of the price, region by region, with dated official rates.
9 chapters, 45 notes
Mortgages, banking and transfers for buying in Spain
Mortgages for non-residents, the process and rates, paying without a loan, Spanish bank accounts and money transfers.
6 chapters, 32 notes
Stage 3 of 6Choose where and what
Regions, property types and local checks.
Read stage 3: Choose where and what
Types of property in Spain for foreign buyers
Apartments, villas, townhouses, country houses, plots, renovation projects and homes by the sea or on golf resorts.
7 chapters, 15 notes
Where to buy property in Spain: choosing an area
Chapters to the coasts, regions and settings of Spain with official figures on prices, foreign buyers and taxes, and no rankings.
14 chapters, 55 notes
Checking a location before buying property in Spain
Flood and fire risk, heat and damp, wells and septic tanks, healthcare, schools and noise: how to test a place before you buy.
4 chapters, 18 notes
Stage 4 of 6Check and contract
Legal checks, NIE, notary and registration.
Read stage 4: Check and contract
Legal process and checks when buying property in Spain
The legal steps and checks of a Spanish purchase, from the NIE to the registered deed, with the risks to avoid.
9 chapters, 48 notes
Stage 5 of 6Own and sell
Owning, insurance, selling.
Owning and selling Spanish property as a foreigner
Utilities, insurance, managing from abroad, ownership structures and the steps to sell a Spanish property.
5 chapters, 20 notes
Stage 6 of 6Rent out
Holiday and long-term lets.
Spain property investment for foreigners
Investment strategy, long-term lets, rental yields and holiday rentals, with the licence, tax and community rules.
4 chapters, 18 notes