Did not find your question?
Read the guides if you want the full reasoning behind the answers, or write to us directly. We reply in English or Swedish, and if the question belongs with a lawyer or gestoría we say so instead of guessing.
Frequently asked questions
These are the questions we get most often from people considering buying a home on the Costa del Sol. Short answers here — the longer reasoning in the guides.
Before you buy
Most of what goes wrong in a Spanish purchase goes wrong before the search has begun.
Do I need an NIE number to buy a property in Spain?
Yes. The NIE is your Spanish identification number for foreigners and is required to sign the purchase at the notary, open a bank account and pay tax. Apply in good time — it is the first thing we ask you to arrange, and we explain how in our guide to the NIE number.
Can I buy without being in Spain?
Yes. With a power of attorney drawn up before a notary your lawyer can sign for you, and viewings can be done by video. We still recommend that you see the property with your own eyes at least once before you commit — video shows neither the noise level, the stairs nor the walk to the nearest shop.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
No. You deal with us in English or Swedish all the way, and we translate and explain what happens in Spanish: contracts, notary, registry and authorities. What matters is that you understand what you are signing, and we make sure of that.
Do I need my own lawyer?
We always recommend it. An independent lawyer reviews title, debts, permits and contracts for you and is only on your side. We are estate agents, not lawyers, and we are glad to refer you to English-speaking lawyers we have worked with.
Do you only show your own properties?
No. We search the whole market — with other agents, developers and private sellers — based on what you are actually looking for. Our job is to find the right home for you, not to move a particular one.
Is a new build a good option?
It can be, but the terms differ from buying an existing property: you pay in stages during construction, VAT applies instead of transfer tax and you need to check that the developer provides a bank guarantee for your payments. We go through the differences before you choose a track.
Money and tax
We give no tax advice — a gestoría or tax adviser does that — but you should know which questions exist.
What does it cost on top of the price?
Count on tax on the purchase — transfer tax for existing homes or VAT and stamp duty for new builds — plus notary, land registry, lawyer and any bank costs with a mortgage. We prepare a calculation for the exact property you are considering before you make an offer. Our guide on buying costs goes through every item.
Does it cost anything to use you as a buyer?
No. In Spain the seller pays the agent’s fee, so for you as a buyer our help costs nothing. Nor do you commit to anything by sending a search brief or getting in touch.
Can I get a mortgage in Spain as a foreigner?
Yes, Spanish banks lend to foreign buyers, but the terms differ from home: the bank finances a smaller share of the price for non-residents, requires more documentation and takes longer. Get an agreement in principle before you start looking seriously.
Do I have to file a tax return in Spain if I live abroad?
Yes. If you own a property in Spain without being resident here you must file the Modelo 210 return every year, even if the property stands empty. You also pay the municipal property tax IBI. We explain what applies in our guide to Modelo 210.
Can I let the property when I am not using it?
Often, but not always. Short-term letting to tourists requires registration under the regional rules, and many communities of owners have restricted or banned it in their statutes. If you want to be able to let, say so before we start looking, and we check it for every property.
What happens if I inherit a property in Spain?
The inheritance must be declared and taxed in Spain within a set deadline, and the property cannot be sold until the estate has been registered. The rules depend on where the deceased and the heirs are resident. Read our guide on inheritance tax, and contact a lawyer early — the deadline is short.
Practicalities
Timeline, contracts and what happens when the keys are yours.
How long does a purchase take?
From accepted offer to keys you normally count in weeks, not months, provided the seller’s paperwork is in order and you do not need a loan. If you need a mortgage or there is an unregistered extension to put right, it takes longer. What decides it is the preparation: NIE, bank account and budget ready before you start looking.
What happens if I change my mind after signing the arras?
Arras is the deposit contract and it is binding in a different way from an offer at home. In the most common form you lose the deposit if you withdraw, while the seller must pay back double if they do. That is why we do all the checks before you sign, not after.
Do I need a Spanish bank account?
In practice, yes. The purchase price, the taxes and the running costs for electricity, water and community fees are paid from a Spanish account. The bank requires an NIE and documentation of where the money comes from, so arrange the account early.
What happens after completion?
We help you transfer electricity, water and any fees into your name, make sure the property is registered to you at the land registry and that the first tax return gets done. You get a clear list of what recurs every year.
About us
Where are you based?
We live and work in Fuengirola and work along the coast between Benalmádena and Marbella — Los Boliches, Mijas Costa, Riviera del Sol, Calahonda and La Cala de Mijas — and, through our property system, across the whole province. These are areas we move around in every day, not just listings we have read.
Do you also help with selling?
Yes. We sell properties on the Costa del Sol for foreign owners, on the same principle as when buying: we work out what will actually land in your account before you decide. Get in touch and we go through your property.
Let us search for you
Tell us what you are looking for and we will search the whole market and come back when we find something that fits. Free, no obligation.
Send a search brief