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Buying property in Spain, without the costly surprises
Independent due diligence, notary and Land Registry coordination, and the ITP-vs-VAT decision made before you sign — not after. Your interests only, never the agent’s.
Why Choose Our Service
Buying a home in Spain
Is not like buying at home. There is no automatic escrow, the seller’s agent does not protect you, and hidden debts, planning issues or an incorrect nota simple can turn a dream purchase into a liability. Our independent property lawyers act for you alone — verifying title at the Registro de la Propiedad, checking charges and licences, and steering the contract from reservation to escritura at the notary.
We coordinate every
Moving part of the purchase: the contrato de arras (deposit contract), your NIE and Spanish bank account, the notary and Land Registry, and the taxes — including whether your purchase attracts ITP transfer tax or VAT (IVA) plus AJD. You get one fixed fee and a clear timeline.
The Spanish buying process, step by step
A typical purchase runs: reservation, due diligence, signing the arras deposit contract, arranging funds and mortgage, then completion at the notary with the escritura pública, followed by tax payment and registration at the Land Registry. Skipping the due-diligence stage is where most expat buyers get hurt – we never do.
ITP vs VAT: the tax question to settle before you sign
Resale homes generally attract ITP (transfer tax), set at a percentage that varies by comunidad autónoma. New builds attract VAT (IVA) plus AJD (stamp duty). Getting this right shapes your true purchase cost, so we confirm it in your completion budget before any contract is signed.
Budgeting the real cost
Beyond the price, plan for taxes, notary and registry fees, and legal fees — commonly around 10–13% of the price on a resale. We give you a written completion statement up front so there are no last-minute gaps.
Selling, renting and ownership
We also handle sales (including plusvalía municipal and non-resident capital-gains retention), draft compliant rental agreements under the LAU, and structure or update ownership and deeds.
- why us
Why Expatlex, not a traditional firm
01.
One provider, not five
Immigration, property and tax specialists coordinated on one case — instead of juggling a lawyer, a gestor, an accountant and a translator.
02.
Fixed, transparent pricing
Every scope is quoted in writing before you commit. No open-ended hourly billing and no surprises.
03.
A real client platform
Track each case, upload documents securely, meet specialists by video and get automatic deadline alerts — not a filing cabinet and an inbox.
04.
Bilingual, expat-first
Every step explained in English or Spanish by people who do this for expatriates all day, across all of Spain.
- FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Strongly recommended. There is no neutral escrow and the agent works for the seller. An independent lawyer verifies the property is free of debt and legally sound before your money moves.
Resales generally attract ITP (transfer tax, rate varies by region); new builds attract VAT plus AJD stamp duty. We confirm which applies in your completion budget before you sign.
As a rule of thumb, budget roughly 10–13% on top of the price for taxes and fees on a resale. We give you an itemised written estimate at the start.
Yes, with a power of attorney we can complete the purchase on your behalf, and obtain your NIE remotely.