Knowledge pillar
The legal process of buying property in Spain
The legal purchase of Spanish property runs from reservation contract, through a deposit (contrato de arras), full due diligence using the Nota Simple from the Property Registry, to signing the public deed (escritura pública) before a Spanish notary and registering ownership in the Registro de la Propiedad.
Independent legal representation
Editorial draft pending — this section will be populated with sourced facts from official Spanish registries (Registradores, INE, Banco de España, Notariado) and market data (Tinsa, Idealista, ST Sociedad de Tasación). Topic: Why an independent lawyer matters and what they check.
Nota Simple — what it tells you
Editorial draft pending — this section will be populated with sourced facts from official Spanish registries (Registradores, INE, Banco de España, Notariado) and market data (Tinsa, Idealista, ST Sociedad de Tasación). Topic: Nota Simple from Registradores explained.
Reservation contract and arras
Editorial draft pending — this section will be populated with sourced facts from official Spanish registries (Registradores, INE, Banco de España, Notariado) and market data (Tinsa, Idealista, ST Sociedad de Tasación). Topic: Reservation and arras penitenciales (Art. 1454 CC).
Due diligence checklist
Editorial draft pending — this section will be populated with sourced facts from official Spanish registries (Registradores, INE, Banco de España, Notariado) and market data (Tinsa, Idealista, ST Sociedad de Tasación). Topic: Urban planning, licences, debts, community fees.
Notary and escritura pública
Editorial draft pending — this section will be populated with sourced facts from official Spanish registries (Registradores, INE, Banco de España, Notariado) and market data (Tinsa, Idealista, ST Sociedad de Tasación). Topic: What happens on completion day.
Land Registry inscription
Editorial draft pending — this section will be populated with sourced facts from official Spanish registries (Registradores, INE, Banco de España, Notariado) and market data (Tinsa, Idealista, ST Sociedad de Tasación). Topic: Registering ownership after completion.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Spanish lawyer to buy property in Spain?
It is strongly recommended. Notaries in Spain are impartial public officials who certify the transaction, but they do not represent the buyer. An independent Spanish lawyer (abogado) performs due diligence on the buyer's behalf.
What is a Nota Simple?
A Nota Simple is an official summary from the Spanish Property Registry (Registro de la Propiedad) showing the property's owner, legal description, charges, mortgages and any encumbrances.
What is the contrato de arras?
Editorial draft pending — this section will be populated with sourced facts from official Spanish registries (Registradores, INE, Banco de España, Notariado) and market data (Tinsa, Idealista, ST Sociedad de Tasación). Topic: Arras explanation.