{"id":1584,"date":"2022-07-01T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-01T07:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/?p=1584"},"modified":"2022-06-28T16:57:47","modified_gmt":"2022-06-28T14:57:47","slug":"how-to-buy-a-property-in-spain-without-having-to-travel-from-abroad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/en\/how-to-buy-a-property-in-spain-without-having-to-travel-from-abroad\/","title":{"rendered":"How to buy a property in Spain without having to travel from abroad?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Buying and selling a property in general, and in Spain in particular, requires a series of procedures and formalities that are vitally important to know in order to guarantee a satisfactory and profitable result. In this article we reveal step by step everything you need to know to buy a property in Spain without having to travel from abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can a foreign person purchase a house in Spain?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Any foreigner can purchase a house in Spain<\/strong> as long as they have a NIE (N\u00famero de Identificaci\u00f3n de Extranjeros). This document is unique and non-transferable for each individual and is the only requirement to be able to carry out such a transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you are an EU citizen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Temporary NIE:<\/strong> Available for those who don&#8217;t wish to live in Spain and are going to carry out an activity for a limited period of time.<\/li><li><strong>Resident NIE: <\/strong>For individuals who intend to remain in the country for an unlimited period of time.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you are a non-EU citizen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Resident NIE: <\/strong>If you are going to stay more than 183 days a year in Spain, you can apply for this number.<\/li><li><strong>NIE non-resident:<\/strong> If you just want to buy a property without staying in the country, you can apply for a NIE for non-residents.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the first step in buying a property in Spain? Who should I turn to?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have decided which property you want to buy, the best option is <strong>to go to a law firm with expertise<\/strong> in this type of transaction and in the country concerned, as planning and professional advice will facilitate the process, avoiding mistakes and bringing the purchase to a successful conclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/house-key-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/house-key-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/house-key-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/house-key-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/house-key.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">All the necessary formalities to buy a property in Spain without having to travel to the country<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The requirements for buying a property in Spain as a foreigner and without the obligation to move are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Essential: Grant power of attorney to a Spanish lawyer to act on your behalf.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two possibilities for granting powers of attorney to a Spanish lawyer without the need to travel to Spain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Power of attorney: <\/strong>You can go to a notary in your country to grant power of attorney to the Spanish lawyer of your choice. The document must then be translated into Spanish by a sworn translation and legalised by the Hague Apostille.<\/li><li><strong>Consular power of attorney: <\/strong>You can go to the Spanish consul to grant the powers of attorney. In this case the document is issued in Spanish.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Obtaining the NIE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As we mentioned at the beginning, <strong>this document is essential<\/strong>. It is not possible to buy a property without a NIE in Spain if you are a foreigner. This procedure can be carried out at the consulate, but <strong>granting power of attorney to a Spanish lawyer<\/strong> is the quickest<strong> and easiest way if you live in an EU country<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What documents are required to apply for the NIE?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Official Application Form for NIE EX -15 duly filled in<\/li><li>Justification of the NIE application<\/li><li>Proof of payment of the fee 790 code 012<\/li><li>Photocopy of the passport of the purchaser and of the proxy<\/li><li>Power of Attorney document<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Open a bank account in a Spanish bank<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After obtaining the NIE, we recommend opening an account in a Spanish bank. This will speed up and facilitate the whole process and the different transactions to be carried out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/familia-cuenta-bancaria-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1582\" srcset=\"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/familia-cuenta-bancaria-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/familia-cuenta-bancaria-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/familia-cuenta-bancaria-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/familia-cuenta-bancaria.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Signing of the sales contract<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before signing the contract to buy a house from abroad, there is a document called a <strong>deposit contract, which allows you to reserve the property by paying an advance of the final price<\/strong>. You can sign the earnest money contract with power of attorney to a Spanish lawyer to avoid having to travel to Spain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Taxes when buying a property in Spain as a non-resident<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Buying a property in Spain from abroad involves the payment of the following taxes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Transfer Tax (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales) (ITP) for second-hand homes.<\/li><li>Value Added Tax (VAT) for newly-built homes<\/li><li>Stamp Duty Tax (AJD) for new homes<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Registration as a homeowner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to register as an owner in Spain, it is essential to make the purchase before a notary and carry out the following steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Signing of the title deed in the presence of a notary public<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The signing of the title deeds in the presence of a notary can be done by a Spanish lawyer with power of attorney.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Registration of the property in the Land Registry from a distance.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This operation can also be carried out by granting power of attorney to a Spanish lawyer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Processing the payment of taxes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are no differences between residents and foreigners when buying a property in Spain. In both cases, these taxes must be processed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Transfer Tax (ITP) and VAT.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The ITP varies according to the autonomous community where the property is located, while the VAT is 10% of the value of the property. Depending on the characteristics of the property, only one of the two will be paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">AJD (documented legal acts)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The AJD is calculated on the property deed before a notary. It varies depending on the Autonomous Community in which the property is located. The percentage can vary between 0.5% and 2% of the price of the property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/firma-documentos-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1578\" srcset=\"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/firma-documentos-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/firma-documentos-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/firma-documentos-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/firma-documentos.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At Garc\u00eda Taboada we are experts in buying and selling property for foreigners. If you have any doubts about buying a property in Spain and are looking for legal advice, please do not hesitate to contact us without obligation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is it compulsory to open a current account in Spain in order to buy a property from abroad?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>It is not compulsory, but it is highly recommended. <\/strong>Making transactions from foreign entities can delay the process a lot and cause some problems in the management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is it compulsory to contract a real estate agency to buy a property in Spain?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>It is not compulsory, but it is advisable<\/strong> to have advisors when buying a home in Spain. It should be borne in mind that a decision of this magnitude should be taken with as much information and professional advice as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the difference between the Land Registry and the Cadastre?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Land Registry designates the owner of the property and guarantees the ownership of the property<\/strong>. The <strong>Cadastre records the physical location of the property <\/strong>and gives details of the surface area, uses, cadastral reference, owner, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much does a notarial process cost?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This procedure has a variable cost. The notary fees for buying a property in Spain can be between 10% and 15% of the price of the property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long does it take to make a Power of Attorney?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Making a Power of Attorney to buy a property can take between 1 or 2 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long does it take to complete all the procedures to be able to buy a property in Spain?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The process to buy a property can take from 3 months to 1 year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Buying and selling a property in general, and in Spain in particular, requires a series of procedures and formalities that are vitally important to know in order to guarantee a satisfactory and profitable result. In this article we reveal step by step everything you need to know to buy a property in Spain without having [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1569,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1584","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1584","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1584"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1584\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1569"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1584"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1584"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/garciataboada.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1584"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}