Introduction to our legal services
We are English native speaking Spanish lawyers and specialise in helping British people to buy property on the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida.
Just like buying a property in the UK there is a process to go through. That process can be kept simple by having the right people on your side who know what they are doing. One of the key things to do early is to grant your Spanish Lawyer Power of Attorney. This means that they can act on your behalf and you won’t need to shuttle between the UK and Spain. The lawyer can apply for all of the necessary documents before you start your property search in earnest. That way, when you find the property of your dreams the agent and developer know you’re a serious buyer and you have a greater chance of success in securing the home you want in Spain.
The importance of an independent lawyer
A lawyer protects the client’s interests. This cannot work if one lawyer represents both parties.
Buying a spanish property
A different legal system and an unfamiliar language, why you need a lawyer on your side
A Spanish Power of Attorney
Why a Spanish Power of Attorney (PoA) opens the door to buying you dream home when you find it.
Número De Identidad De Extranjero (NIE)
Foreigner’s need an NIE number before they proceed with any significant transaction in Spain
Buying a property using a UK company
There may be advantages of using a UK company as a purchase vehicle.
Currency conversion
When buying property in Euros a small percentage can add up to lots of extra cost
The buying process
The bread and butter of what a lawyer does on behalf of a client.
Useful links
There are lots of online resources to help with your Spanish property purchase.
Our services in more detail
If you are buying a new property in Spain that is ‘key ready’ or if you are buying off plan, you will need a lawyer. To ease the burden and cost of finding one, the developer may suggest that you use theirs. Afterall, it’s quick, easy and cheap. The property is new, so what what could go wrong? The flip side is, you are making a big decision and you will unlikely spend this sum of money again. The role of a lawyer is to protect your interests and make sure that the property you buy is 100% compliant with all legal requirements. In any significant purchase, like property there will be questions arising that need an answer. The difficulty arises when one lawyer is acting for both parties how can their advice be impartial?
Uncharitably perhaps, you may think the developers interest is best served as the lawyer will likely get more repeat instructions! Why take this risk? Finding a high quality independent lawyer to represent you is not difficulty when you know how to find one. We have prepared a short guide on how to do it.
Further reading
Click our guide “Finding a good independent Spanish Lawyer to represent you.”
Are you interested in buying a Spanish property? Are you buying an off plan Spanish property? Or reforming a ruin?
Whatever your reason or motivation for buying a property in Spain, it is an exciting thing to do. Perhaps it’s the realisation of a long-held dream that been in the planning, until this point. We enjoy sharing that sense of anticipation with our clients and want to make the legal process of buying Spanish property as pain free as possible. As native speaking English lawyers here in Spain, we can explain the process to you, help you decide on a region or an area and give an idea of the costs involved when buying in Spain.
We have been helping people in the UK and Ireland buy property all across Spain since 1985. The region where we do most of our work is the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida.
Each step of the way we are here to help you through the Spanish conveyancing process from start to finish and committed to providing you with the following quality services:
The service that we provides covers:
- Apply for NIE Number and bank account if required
- Property due diligence
- Registering the property in the purchaser’s name(s)
- Arranging the transfer of all utility services
- Reviewing of the purchase contact and advising accordingly
- Negotiation of contracts to point of exchange
- Completion and post-completion formalities
If you are not in Spain full time or you do not to come out to Spain each time there is a development meeting or document signing, you will need a Power of Attorney to progress your property purchase.
Power of Attorney gives your lawyer the legal right and responsibility of managing your financial and related affairs.
This is useful for the buyer/seller if you are unable to attend to your financial duties on a temporary or permanent basis.
Arranging a spanish power of attorney from the uk
You do not have to be in Spain to grant your Spanish Lawyer Power of Attorney. During lockdown a number of clients were able to successfully do this by following our guidance. We have prepared a guidance note on how to do this which can be downloaded here.
Additionally, you will need to be able to find a UK notary near you and a list of them and where they are is available here
N.I.E. is an abbreviation for Número de Identidad de Extranjero, which translates as: Foreigners’ Identification Number.
The NIE is an all-purpose identification and tax number in Spain. You need an NIE number for any official or legal process in Spain. For example, you will need an NIE number to buy a property, buy a car, get connected to the utilities and to pay your taxes.
Bank account
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Sun Lawyers preferred partner for currency conversion to euros to buy spanish property is excel currencies
Sun Lawyers have partnered with Excel Currencies to allow clients to send money overseas in a quick and cheap way. Savings of up to 90% can be made – that’s 9x cheaper that using a high street bank.
Find out more about the collaboration by visiting the Sun Lawyers page on the Excel Currencies website.
- Pre-purchase. Preparing and negotiating the private purchase contract for the residential property.
- Legal checks – a complete set of legal checks on the property
- Necessary documentation: NIE, Bank account and POA
- Completion. On the day, full day of completion support including translation services, attending the notary, signing of title deeds
- Post completion. Ongoing post completion services including registering your deeds at the land registry and changing over of all utility services.
- Tax services, including reclaim of 3% retention, residents/non-resident taxes and landlord tax
We wanted to share some other internet links and resources that may be helpful with your property search
Medland Properties (new build)
