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GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS
Buying a home in another country starts long before choosing a property. You need to understand the process, plan your budget and find an area that suits the way you want to live.
This guide helps you organise a property purchase in Spain, with a particular focus on Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and the Costa Blanca. Whether you are looking for a second home or planning to relocate, Fuster & Co can help you compare properties and take the next step with clear information.
Your goal shapes the search. A home used for a few weeks each year may need a different location and level of maintenance from a property you will live in all year round.
Consider access, maintenance while you are away and the services available during your visits. Look beyond the photographs: ask about community fees and the building itself.
Consider nearby shops, healthcare and transport, alongside your needs for space and accessibility. If you have children, include schooling in your relocation plans.
Prioritise everyday comfort, accessibility and the services you will regularly use. Visit at different times and consider how your needs may change.
Before buying, arrange checks on whether your intended use is permitted for that property. Do not assume every home can be used for holiday rentals or base your decision on promised returns.
You can buy as a non-resident. However, the documentation and checks must be tailored to your circumstances and the specific property.
Buying property and obtaining residence are separate matters. Owning a home does not automatically grant permission to live or work in Spain. If you plan to relocate, check the requirements that apply to your nationality and circumstances separately.
Do not confuse nationality with tax residence: they are different facts that can affect your banking and tax planning.
Decide how much you can spend on the property price and set aside a separate amount for taxes, administration and professional services. Include any renovation, furniture and maintenance costs.
If your savings are in another currency, include exchange rates and transfer costs in your planning. Prepare a payment schedule that matches the availability of your funds.
NIE stands for Número de Identidad de Extranjero, the foreigner identification number used by Spanish authorities. Arrange it in advance for the tax formalities associated with your purchase.
You can apply in Spain or through the Spanish consular office responsible for your place of residence. Applications through a representative require the documents specified by the applicable procedure. An NIE alone does not establish or grant residence in Spain.
Prepare a valid identity document or passport and check which additional documents you will need for your circumstances.
If you need a mortgage, explore your options before committing to a property. Products for non-residents exist, but the terms and approval must be confirmed by the lender.
There is no financing percentage we can guarantee for every buyer. Ask about your required contribution, the cost of the loan and the documents the lender needs.
Also check how to arrange purchase payments and future bills. An account in Spain can make some tasks easier, but it should not be presented as a universal requirement for every purchase.
Before travelling, explain what you are looking for: budget, bedrooms, intended use and essential features. A shortlist lets you focus your viewings on homes that genuinely suit you.
To start comparing locations, explore our guides to La Mata, Aguas Nuevas, Los Balcones, Los Altos, La Siesta, San Luis and El Chaparral and Orihuela Costa. Consider everyday life in each area, not just the distance to the beach.
At Fuster & Co, we work with both new-build and resale properties. Tell us your priorities so we can guide your search.
Arrange checks of ownership and registered charges using Land Registry information. Also review community fees and debts, possible special assessments and the property documents.
If there are questions about alterations, technical condition or permitted uses, ask the appropriate professionals to carry out specific checks.
Before paying any money, understand the document you are signing. The price, payments, deadlines and consequences of not proceeding should be clear.
The effects of an arras deposit depend on the agreement. Do not assume every reservation payment is refundable or that a 10% deposit is mandatory. If you need financing, ask how that condition should be addressed in the contract.
A deed signed before a notary supports legal certainty and Land Registry registration. After signing, the relevant taxes and registration must be dealt with.
Also plan the handover of keys, utilities and communication with the owners’ community. Before completion, agree who handles each task and what it costs.
Costs are not identical across Spain. They depend on the transaction, the autonomous community, the property and the buyer’s circumstances.
For a property in Torrevieja or Orihuela Costa, check the Valencian Community rules in force on the purchase date. An indicative percentage of costs does not replace a budget for your own transaction.
| Item | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Resale property | Usually subject to ITP (property transfer tax). Check the applicable rate and taxable base. |
| First supply of a new home by the developer | Generally subject to IVA (VAT), with a standard residential rate of 10%, plus any applicable AJD (stamp duty). |
| Notary and Land Registry | Request an estimate and confirm how transaction costs are allocated. |
| Advice and administration | Request a quotation and check which tasks each service includes. |
| Financing | Review the costs of your loan and which charges you must pay. |
| Running costs | Allow for community fees, utilities, IBI property tax, insurance and maintenance. |
A power of attorney can allow someone to act on your behalf. It must include the necessary powers and should be reviewed before it is used.
If it is issued outside Spain, check the requirements for an apostille or legalisation and, where applicable, translation. Preparing it early can help avoid unnecessary journeys and delays.
Planning does not end when you receive the keys. Alongside maintenance costs, check your property-related tax obligations.
If you are not tax-resident in Spain, an urban property kept for personal use or left empty may give rise to imputed-income taxation under IRNR, Spain’s Non-Resident Income Tax. Rental use has different tax implications. Ask an adviser about your circumstances and filing deadlines.
We can help you compare homes and locations, prepare viewings and maintain clear communication during your search. Our multilingual team makes contact easier for international buyers.
In our first conversation, tell us what you need and where you are in the process. We will agree the next steps and clarify which tasks belong to the agency, your bank and the professionals involved.
Thinking about buying a property in Spain?
Talk to Fuster & Co and start with a selection of properties suited to your budget and the way you want to live.
Property ownership does not automatically grant residence. If you want to relocate, check the residence procedures that apply to your circumstances. New applications for residence through property investment under the former Golden Visa scheme ceased to be available in April 2025, without prejudice to transitional arrangements for earlier applications and permits.
Some tasks can be handled through a representative. Check with the professionals which actions the power of attorney covers and how it must be formalised.
Mortgages for non-residents are available. The lender must assess your application and confirm the terms. Do not treat an estimate of financing as final approval.
It depends on the documents, checks, financing and agreements between the parties. Organise those requirements first, then agree a realistic date.
Define your budget and intended use, explore our area guides and talk to an agent to prepare an initial shortlist.
Tell us what you are looking for and prepare your purchase with Fuster & Co.
Leave your contact details and we will help you prepare the next steps.
You can also call +34 965 708 050 or email info@fusterandco.com.
