Buying property in Marbella and the Costa del Sol is straightforward when you know the steps. This guide explains the buying process in Spain, from purchase costs and legal checks to mortgages and completion. As members of the LPA (Leading Property Agents of Spain), our team guides you through every stage and introduces you to trusted, independent professionals along the way.
Purchase Expenses
When buying property in Spain, budget for purchase costs on top of the price. In Andalucía, these are around 10% for a resale property and 13–14% for a new build.
Resale properties pay 7% transfer tax (ITP). New builds bought from a developer pay 10% VAT (IVA) plus 1.2% stamp duty (AJD). Legal, notary and Land Registry fees add roughly 1.5–2% to either. If you take a Spanish mortgage, allow for the bank valuation and any arrangement fee.
Most BeLuxe clients visit Spain to view properties. Weekend visits are possible, but we recommend adding one working day so you can complete key, cost-saving steps in person: signing a Power of Attorney at a Spanish notary so your lawyer can sign on your behalf, opening a Spanish bank account, instructing your lawyer to apply for your NIE (foreigner identification number), and meeting an English-speaking bank manager to discuss mortgage options.
Spanish Legal Assistance
BeLuxe recommends a panel of independent, English-speaking conveyancing lawyers, all members of the Málaga Bar Association. Their teams also speak several European, Scandinavian and Russian languages. Your lawyer checks the property’s ownership, licences and any debts, so you understand every aspect of the purchase before you commit.
Reserving Your Property
The first step is to take the property off the market by signing a Reservation Agreement and paying a deposit into your independent lawyer’s client account. The deposit is typically €10,000, or around 1% of the price for higher-value properties. The reservation also secures the agreed price.
Your lawyer then requests the property documents and carries out the legal checks. Once these are complete, they sign the Private Purchase Contract on your behalf with your written authorisation, or you can sign in person. At this stage you normally pay a further deposit, bringing the total to 10% of the price.
Mortgages
The most common Spanish mortgage is a repayment mortgage, where you pay off capital and interest each month until the loan is cleared.
Non-residents can usually borrow 60–70% of the purchase price or valuation, whichever is lower. Spanish residents can often borrow up to 80%. BeLuxe can introduce you to trusted Spanish banks and independent mortgage brokers to help you find the right financing.
Completion
(Signing the Title Deeds)
All properties are sold with clear title. Any outstanding debts, including existing mortgages, property taxes, waste collection charges, community fees and utility bills, are settled by the seller before or at completion.
At the notary, the Title Deed is signed and the balance is paid. If the seller is non-resident in Spain, 3% of the price is withheld and paid to the tax authority on their behalf, which your lawyer handles. Your lawyer then pays the purchase taxes and registers the property in your name at the Land Registry.
You collect your keys on the day of completion, and you can start to enjoy your new home on the Costa del Sol!
Our team are here to answer all of your questions
If you have any questions about any of the properties listed on our website and would like to find out more, our team will be happy to help! Fill out the form and one of our team will be in touch ASAP, or contact us directly by phone or email.