Yes. In Spain, no notary or government body will appoint an independent lawyer to protect your interests — that is something you must do yourself. The lawyer your estate agent recommends typically works within the agent's network and is paid to facilitate the transaction, not to protect your interests as a buyer. An independent property lawyer reviews the title, checks for hidden debts and urban planning violations, structures the tax position and ensures what you sign is exactly what you agreed to. It is not a luxury — it is the only way to be certain what you are buying.

A nota simple is a document issued by the Spanish Land Registry (Registro de la Propiedad) that confirms the legal status of a property. It shows who owns it, what mortgages or charges are registered against it, whether there are any easements or restrictions, and whether the property's description in the registry matches what is being sold. It is the first document we obtain on any property before proceeding. A nota simple that does not match the physical reality of the property — different square metres, undeclared extensions, missing outbuildings — is one of the most common red flags in Spanish property transactions.

The main taxes depend on whether the property is new or resale. For resale properties, you pay Transfer Tax (ITP), which in Andalusia is currently 7% of the declared purchase price. For new properties, you pay VAT (IVA) at 10%, plus Stamp Duty (AJD) at 1.2%. On top of these, you will typically have notary fees, Land Registry fees and our legal fees. As a non-resident owner, you will also be liable for Non-Resident Income Tax annually, even if you do not rent the property. Understanding and structuring these obligations correctly before signing is a key part of what we do.

An asset deal means you buy the property directly. An share deal means you buy the Spanish company (SL) that owns the property. Share deals are sometimes structured to reduce or avoid Transfer Tax (ITP), but they come with significant risks: you inherit all the company's historical tax obligations, undeclared liabilities, unpaid debts and any compliance failures. The Spanish Tax Authority (AEAT) also has anti-abuse rules that can override the ITP exemption if certain conditions are met. Whether a share deal makes financial sense depends entirely on the specific situation. We analyse each case individually before recommending one structure over another.

For a straightforward resale property with no complications, the process from offer to signing at the notary typically takes between 6 and 10 weeks. The main steps are: due diligence review (1-2 weeks), private purchase contract (Contrato de Arras) signature, obtaining or verifying the NIE, final notary signing, and registration at the Land Registry (which happens after signing). For more complex transactions — off-plan properties, share deals, properties with planning issues or foreign corporate structures — the timeline extends accordingly. We always give you a realistic estimate from the outset.

The Beckham Law (Régimen Especial de Impatriados) is a special Spanish tax regime that allows eligible foreign nationals who become Spanish tax residents to pay a flat 24% tax rate on Spanish income for up to six years, instead of the standard progressive rates which can reach 47%. It was originally designed for highly paid executives relocating to Spain, but has since been extended to remote workers, entrepreneurs and digital nomads meeting certain criteria. Not everyone qualifies, and the application process has specific deadlines. If you are considering relocating to Spain alongside your property purchase, this is worth analysing as part of your overall tax structuring.

In both Marbella and Ibiza, short-term tourist rentals are regulated. In Andalusia, you need a Vivienda con Fines Turísticos (VFT) licence before listing your property on any platform. The requirements vary depending on the property, the community of owners rules and the local urban planning classification. Ibiza has introduced stricter limitations in recent years. If you are purchasing a property with the intention to rent, we check the VFT licence status and local restrictions as part of the due diligence process — before you buy, not after.

Yes — our clients come from across Europe and North America, with a strong base of Belgian, British and Dutch buyers. We work in English, Spanish, Dutch and French. Most of the process can be managed remotely — we handle due diligence, contract review and tax structuring without you needing to be present in Spain. We do recommend being present for the final notary signing, though we can also arrange a power of attorney if that is not possible. Distance is not an obstacle to doing this properly.