Buying property in Spain? Secure home purchase with a Swedish-speaking lawyer in Alicante
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Buying property in Spain?
Buying a home in Spain differs significantly from real estate transactions in Sweden. It is common to feel uncertain about Spanish legislation, hidden fees, and complex interactions with authorities.
At Colás Abogados, you receive personalized legal assistance from a Swedish-speaking lawyer with over 18 years of experience guiding Scandinavian and British clients through secure property purchases. We operate throughout the Valencian Community, Murcia, and the Balearic Islands—with a specific focus on the Costa Blanca and its most sought-after areas. We ensure that all legal, administrative, and tax-related components are handled correctly from start to finish—entirely in Swedish.
Step-by-step: How a secure property purchase works in Spain
Applying for a NIE number
To complete a property purchase in Spain, a Spanish tax ID, known as a NIE number (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), is required. Without a NIE, purchase agreements cannot be signed, nor can title deeds be registered.
We handle the application for you. The process requires you to either be physically present in Spain at the time of application or to provide us with a power of attorney issued before a Spanish notary in Spain or at a Spanish consulate in your home country. Please note that powers of attorney issued before a foreign notary are no longer accepted by the Spanish police.
Reservation Agreement
Once you have found your dream home, a reservation fee (approx. €5,000) is often paid to immediately remove the property from the market.
Purchase Agreement
This document establishes the final price, terms, payment plan, and date for the title deed. We always perform a strict legal due diligence on the property’s status before you sign any contract.
Verification of debts and community fees
If the property is part of a homeowners’ association (Comunidad de Propietarios), we verify that there are no outstanding fees. Under Spanish law, the buyer can be held liable for the previous owner’s debts for up to the four preceding years.
Urban Planning Control & Ley de Costas (Coastal Law)
We conduct a thorough review of the property with the local municipality to guarantee that there are no illegal extensions or issues related to the Spanish Coastal Law.
Signature before a Notary Public
The official title deed (Escritura) is signed before a public notary. Your lawyer will explain the entire process in Swedish and will be by your side every step of the way.
Taxes and Fees for Property Purchases in Spain
Depending on the property type, different taxes apply to you as a buyer. Here is a clear overview:
| Property Type | Applicable Tax | Description |
| New Build | 10% IVA + 1.5% AJD | Spanish VAT (IVA) plus Stamp Duty (AJD). |
| Resale Property | 10% ITP | Property Transfer Tax (ITP). This rate applies within the Valencian Community. |
Important note regarding the seller’s taxes: If you are purchasing from a non-resident seller, you are legally required to withhold 3% of the purchase price and pay it to the Spanish Tax Agency on the seller’s behalf. At Colás Abogados, we manage this entire process (Form 211) for you, ensuring you never risk inheriting the seller’s tax liabilities.
Completion and Registration of Title Deeds
Once the purchase is complete, ensuring your legal ownership is crucial. During this final stage, two mandatory costs apply to you as the buyer: notary fees and registration costs. We manage this entire administrative process to guarantee everything is handled correctly.
| Process Step | Responsible Authority | Legal Function & Costs |
| Purchase Deed | Spanish Notary | Signing of the escritura pública (the official title deed). The notary performs identity checks and verifies that the property is entirely free of encumbrances. Notary fees are paid by the buyer and are regulated by Spanish law based on the property value. |
| Tax Payment | Tax Agency (Hacienda) | Payment of applicable property taxes (ITP or IVA+AJD) to the state. This must be strictly completed within 30 days of signing before the notary. |
| Property Registration | Land Registry (Registro de la Propiedad) | Entry of the purchase deed into the official registry. This is the most important step as it provides full legal protection and establishes your ownership rights against third parties. The registration fee, also paid by the buyer, applies here. |
Post-Purchase: Annual and Ongoing Operating Costs
As a property owner in Spain, there are a number of recurring costs that are important to include in your calculations before the purchase. To provide you with full financial transparency, we have compiled the most common running costs for a typical property (apartment or villa) on the Costa Blanca:
| Ongoing Cost | What it entails and how it is handled | Estimated Cost |
| IBI (Property Tax) | Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles. The Spanish municipal tax paid once a year. Based on the property’s official cadastral value. | €200 – €800 / year |
| Waste Collection (Basuras) | Tasa de basuras. A mandatory municipal fee for waste management, usually invoiced by the town hall or the tax agency SUMA. | €100 – €200 / year |
| Home Insurance | Seguro de hogar. Not legally required, but highly recommended to protect your investment. The price depends on the size and exact location of the property. | €150 – €400 / year |
| Utility Contracts | Fixed fees and consumption for electricity, water, and gas. Contracts must be in your name. We assist you in transferring existing contracts or setting up new ones at the time of purchase. | €30 – €80 / month (electricity)* |
*The estimate for electricity applies to a property used periodically, including fixed network fees.
Why choose Colás Abogados as your legal partner?
| Your Advantages | Our Promise to You |
| Swedish-Speaking Expertise | Full understanding of both the Spanish legal system and the needs of Swedish buyers. |
| 18+ Years of Experience | A solid track record of successful real estate transactions for Swedish clients. |
| 100% Transparency | Secure and clear legal advice – no hidden fees. |
| Local Presence | Established office in Albir (Alicante) – strategically located near Torrevieja, Benidorm, and Altea. |
| Broad Coverage | We help you purchase property in Alicante, Murcia, and throughout Spain. |
Contact us today for a secure property transaction
Don’t let bureaucracy or language barriers stand in the way of your dream home. Contact us today for professional legal assistance from an experienced Swedish-speaking lawyer in Spain.