Obtaining the Foreigner Identification Number (NIE).

The N.I.E. it is the “foreigner identification number”.

This number is essential in all transactions and operations (real estate purchase, bank account opening, telephone subscription, water, electricity, purchase of a vehicle, etc.). A lawyer can request it through a power of attorney or you can request it yourself by appointment at the immigration office in Almería.

Opening of bank account.

The buyer must, once the NIE is obtained, open a bank account in Spain. The bank account is necessary for the accreditation of the buyer's means of payment in the purchase of a property, as well as for the payment of successive expenses and taxes. To open the current account, the bank will ask the buyer for the NIE, the valid passport, proof of income and the tax identification number of their country of origin.

Signing of the deposit contract

There are three steps once you have chosen the correct property:

The first step is the reservation contract. It is common practice to reserve your future property by paying a deposit of € 3000. The seller then agrees to take the property off the market, ensuring that it will not be offered to someone else.
The second step is the purchase agreement (10%). This seals the agreement between the seller and the buyer. This contract includes the agreed price, the payment conditions and the deadline for signing the deeds. Your attorney will pre-verify all documents (this normally takes 2-3 weeks), once you agree to proceed, you will have to pay 10% of the purchase price upon signing. If there are legal problems that cannot be solved, you are entitled to a full refund of the 3000 euros.

Once the 10% has been paid, if you later decide not to continue with the purchase because you have changed your mind, you will lose the money already delivered. On the contrary, if the seller refuses to sell it to you, he will have to reimburse you twice the amount paid.

The last step is the signing of the deeds before a Notary. Then you will be the new owner of the property!

The original document will be delivered to the buyer and the copies will be sent to the cadastre and the Spanish tax office.

You will also have to pay the ancillary expenses (notary services, taxes and duties related to the purchase, etc.).

Tax and fees guide

When you buy a home in Spain the following prices are not included. They should add 10% to the price of the property to cover:

Lawyer fees

Usually they are about 1% of the sale price, depending on the work that is needed.

ITP - Taxes

You have to pay 8% of the declared value in the Public Deed.

Notarial Expenses

Depending on the job, between 300 and 600 euros.

Registration

They can also range between 300 and 600 euros.

Example 1 - property with a sale price of 50,000 euros

Lawyers Fee 1,000 euros
Purchase Tax at 8% 4,000 euros
Notary Fee 300 euros
Registration Fee 200 Euros
Total cost of ownership, fees and taxes 55,500 euros

Example 2 - property with a sale price of 100,000 euros

Lawyers Fee 1%
Purchase Tax at 8% 8,000 euros
Notary Fee 500 - 600 euros
Registration Fee 500 Euros
Total cost of ownership, fees and taxes 109,700 euros.

Home purchase in Spain for non-residents