Buying & Selling Property On The Costa Del Sol
Navigating the Spanish property market can feel complex, particularly for international buyers and sellers unfamiliar with local processes, regulations and market dynamics.
At Investts, we guide clients through every stage with clarity, transparency and professional local support, helping ensure smoother decisions and better long-term outcomes.
Whether you are purchasing a lifestyle property, investment opportunity or preparing to sell your home, our role is to make the process significantly more informed and manageable.
1. Choose a lawyer
It is advisable to hire a lawyer in Spain who can advise and guide you from the start of the purchase process during the purchase.
2. Reserve your property
After finding a suitable property, Investts will complete a reservation form with you. The property is reserved for you and the price is fixed. A deposit of € 3.000 to € 15.000 must be paid.
3. Signing the private purchase contract
Approximately 14 days after the signing of the reservation contract, the next step is signing the private purchase contract between the buyer and the seller (or their legal representatives). When you sign the private purchase contract, you pay 10% of the purchase price of the property.
4. The notarial purchase contract
In Spain, a purchase is officially completed after signing the notarial deed of ownership at a notary, paying the agreed price and transferring ownership to the buying party.
5. Registration
After the deed of ownership has been signed, the notary will send a copy to the regional land registry. Your lawyer will also pay the transfer taxes in your name and register the title deed.
6. New construction
If you buy a new home, the developer is obliged to issue a bank guarantee for every payment.
Please note that new developments will be delivered without water and electricity connections. Your lawyer can arrange these contracts.
7. Purchasing Cost
There are three types of fees and two taxes involved in buying property in Spain. As a rule of thumb, you can assume that the costs are about 11% to 14% of the purchase price. If you take out a mortgage in Spain, there will be about 3% extra costs.
Professional fees
Fee for the lawyer: amounts to 1% of the purchase price, with a minimum wage of +/- 1500 € plus VAT (21%)
Notarial costs: depending on the purchase price. Registration costs: normally 60% to 80% of the notarial costs. Together with the notarial cost this is approx. 1% of the sale price.
8. Taxes
When purchasing an existing building, you only pay the transfer tax. This tax amounts to 8% up to a purchase price of 400,000 euros. From 400,000 euros to 700,000 euros 9% and over the increased amount you pay 10% tax.
For new buildings, you currently pay 10% VAT plus 1.5% stamp tax.
Plus Valia: this tax concerns the appreciation of the land and must be paid according to the law by the seller. The charge is depending on the municipality and the area of the plot.
9. Mortgage
Spanish banks are happy to provide a mortgage to non-residents who buy real estate in Spain.
The term of the mortgage depends on the age of the mortgagee, but can often be 20 years.
The amount of the mortgage can be up to 70% of the appraisal value of the property, depending on your income and assets. Most banks apply the rule that your monthly income should be about three times the monthly payment amount.
If you have a mortgage on your property, you also have to pay the costs of the resolution of the mortgage to the bank as well as the resulting registration and notary fees.
Our Selling Process
1. Property Consultation
We assess your property, objectives and ideal selling strategy based on current market conditions and buyer demand in order to provide an informed valuation.
2. Positioning & Presentation
We help prepare your property for market through professional photography, presentation guidance and strategic marketing positioning.
3. International Exposure
Your property is promoted across relevant channels to qualified local and international audiences actively searching on the Costa del Sol.
4. Buyer Management & Negotiation
We manage enquiries, coordinate viewings, qualify buyers and support negotiations professionally throughout the process.
5. Legal Coordination & Completion
We work alongside trusted legal professionals to help ensure a smooth, transparent and secure transaction from agreement through to completion.
INVESTTS QUALITY REAL ESTATE – COSTA DEL SOL
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest
developments, best to invest plots and special offers.
INFO@INVESTTS.COM | +34 693 800 888

