Property for Sale in Spain: Costs, Coasts and How to Buy

• Apartments in Spain: 6,526 listings, the entry point for most overseas buyers.
• Villas: 4,770 listings, concentrated on the coasts.
• Houses: 3,614 listings, including townhouses and village homes.
• Penthouses: 674 listings, popular on the Costa del Sol.
• Land: 2,992 listings. Check zoning, access and utilities.
• Commercial property: 6,701 listings, including retail units, offices and hotels.

On a budget? See cheap property in Spain or homes under €100,000.

Non-residents of any nationality can buy property in Spain with no general restrictions. The main exception is land in designated military or border zones, where non-EU buyers need clearance. The process looks like this.

1. Get an NIE. The Número de Identidad de Extranjero is a tax number you need for any purchase, bank account or utility contract.
2. Open a Spanish bank account. It makes taxes, utilities and the final payment easier.
3. Hire an independent lawyer. They check the title, charges and debts at the Land Registry, planning licences and community-of-owners arrears.
4. Sign a reservation contract. A small deposit, often €3,000 to €10,000, takes the property off the market.
5. Sign the private purchase contract (contrato de arras). You normally pay about 10% of the price. If the buyer withdraws, the deposit is lost; if the seller withdraws, they usually pay double.
6. Complete at the notary. You sign the public deed (escritura), pay the balance and receive the keys.
7. Register and pay taxes. The notary or a gestor files the deed at the Land Registry and pays transfer tax or VAT.

Rates differ by region, so treat these as approximate and verify locally with your lawyer.

Spanish banks lend to non-residents, but expect lower loan-to-value ratios than residents get: often 60% to 70% of the purchase price, with 30% to 40% down plus costs. Euro mortgages are often variable-rate (linked to Euribor) or fixed. Lenders check your income, credit and the valuation (tasación). Run numbers with our mortgage calculator and see the full Spain financing guide for documents and timing.

Spain's golden visa for property investors (the €500,000 route) ended in April 2025, so buying a home no longer leads to residency by investment. Non-EU buyers who want to live in Spain can look at the non-lucrative visa, the digital nomad visa or a work route. Policy proposals on foreign buyers have also been debated, so check the current position before relying on any rule. Our Spain buying guide explains how to get legal advice.

Advantages

• A very wide choice, from small town flats to prime coastal villas.
• A mature market with good infrastructure, flights and healthcare.
• No restrictions on foreign ownership for most property.
• Year-round rental demand in cities and strong seasonal demand on the coasts.

Drawbacks

• Transaction costs are heavy, usually 10% to 13% of the price on resale.
• Tourist-let licensing is tightening in several regions and cities.
• Variable regional rules and taxes.
• Check for legal planning status on rural property and illegal extensions.

Narrow down your region, then compare local data in our Spain market analysis. For personal help with a search, contact our team.