Real Estate in Spain
A practical guide to buying, owning, and selling real estate in Spain — the notario and title system, taxes and financing, regional markets, investment and rentals, and ownership.
1 guideLegal & Title
Buying Process
Selling Process
Taxes & Fees
Financing & Mortgages
Property Types & New Construction
Markets & Regions
Investment & Rentals
Owning & Maintaining
The Ownership Experience
Featured Guides
About Real Estate
Understanding real estate in Spain — before you buy. Whether you're after a Costa del Sol villa, a city apartment in Madrid or Barcelona, an investment rental, or a place to retire, this is your practical guide to how Spanish property actually works: the legal and title system, the buying and selling process, taxes and financing, regional markets, and the realities of owning property here.
Foreigners — including non-EU citizens — can buy property in Spain with no general restriction; you'll need an NIE (foreigner identification number) to complete. The process runs through a notario (notary) and the Registro de la Propiedad (Land Registry): a reservation, then an arras deposit contract (typically 10%), then the escritura pública at completion. Costs differ significantly by autonomous community — transfer tax (ITP) on resale homes varies roughly 6–13% by region, while new builds carry 10% IVA plus stamp duty. Note that buying no longer grants residency (the Golden Visa ended in 2025), and short-term tourist rentals are tightly restricted in many areas. This is editorial guidance, not a property-listings marketplace or legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners buy property in Spain?
Yes — there is no general restriction on foreigners, including non-EU citizens, buying property in Spain. You need an NIE (foreigner ID number) to complete the purchase. Note that buying property no longer grants residency, since the Golden Visa investor route ended in April 2025. See Legal & Title.
What taxes and fees apply when buying property in Spain?
For resale homes the buyer pays ITP (transfer tax), which is set by each autonomous community and varies roughly 6–13% — several regions use sliding scales by price, so check the current rate for your region. New builds instead carry 10% IVA plus AJD stamp duty. Add notary, registry, and legal fees (~1–2%). Owners then pay annual IBI. See Taxes & Fees.
What is the buying process in Spain?
Typically: a reservation to take the property off the market, then an arras (deposit) contract with around 10% down, then completion via the escritura pública signed before a notario and registered at the Land Registry. An independent lawyer runs due diligence using the nota simple from the registry. See Buying Process.
Can non-residents get a mortgage in Spain?
Yes — Spanish banks lend to non-residents, typically up to around 60–70% loan-to-value (versus ~80% for residents), subject to income checks. See Financing & Mortgages.
Can I rent my Spanish property to tourists?
It depends heavily on where it is. Short-term tourist rentals are restricted, capped, or frozen in places like Barcelona, the Balearic Islands, and parts of Andalusia, and since July 2025 a national rental registry number (NRA) is required to advertise on platforms. Always check the regional and municipal rules first. See Investment & Rentals.
Where is the best place to buy real estate in Spain?
It depends on your goal — the Costa del Sol for sun and rentals, Madrid and Barcelona for city investment, Valencia and Alicante for value, the Balearic and Canary Islands for lifestyle. Markets and prices differ widely by region. See Markets & Regions.