How To Buy A House In Spain
The process of buying a house in Spain differs to the process here in the UK, or indeed any other country in the world. Each and every country has its own laws, rules and regulations. You might think that the hardest part of buying a property in Spain is to actually find your dream home – but it’s not until you’ve found the property that the hard work actually starts.
During the process of buying a house in Spain you’re likely to interact with various individuals and organisations that do not speak English – especially when buying property outside of popular tourist resorts and areas. In such circumstances, the first person you should look to hire is a translator who can help you to negotiate the transaction process.
Finding a lawyer
The first step involved with buying property in Spain is finding a lawyer to represent you. Conveyance laws in Spain differ to those in the UK, so it’s important to appoint a lawyer with expert knowledge of the Spanish property market – as well as the correct qualifications.
Some people decide to work with a UK based lawyer that specialises in Spanish property transactions – whereas other people prefer to hire a local lawyer in Spain. It’s entirely up to you which option you choose, just remember to do the proper checks to ensure you appoint a reputable, reliable lawyer who knows what they’re doing.
Taking out a mortgage
In order to obtain a mortgage in Spain, you will need a bank account there. Shopping for a mortgage in Spain is much the same as anywhere else in the world, in that you shouldn’t just go with the first mortgage option you find – instead you must shop around and sound out the market as a whole.
Penalties for not keeping up with your mortgage repayments can include the repossession of your property, and in cases where the buyer is in negative equity; other assets (including those in the UK) can be sought by the bank to settle the balance of the debt.
When purchasing a property in Spain you will have to pay VAT and a Stamp Duty if you’re purchasing a new build from a developer. If you’re buying a property from a private individual however, you will have to pay a transfer tax. VAT, Stamp Duty and transfer taxes must all be paid by the buyer.
For more information about buying a property in Spain, you can check out the Gov.uk documentation by clicking here. In this documentation you will find a checklist for property purchases in Spain, along with lots of other useful information – including how to import and register your UK vehicle in Spain if you decide to take it with you when you move.
Once you have found your dream home in Spain, why not contact Matthew James Removals Spain for a competitive quotation for your relocation to Spain. We offer a full range of services including small or part load removals to Spain – car shipping to Spain – storage in Spain and the UK – removals from Spain to the UK, weekly services. ISO 9001 quality standards.
