Buying and owning property in Spain

Someone living illegally in your property is a frightening thought for any homeowner. Yet it’s increasingly becoming a reality for some with a second home in Spain. Imagine finding out your home has been taken over by squatters (or Okupas) and, worse still, there’s not a lot you can do about it right away.

The investment opportunities in Spain are amazing which, along with the country's climate and culture, make it a popular place for foreigners to buy property. But, before you go looking around properties in your favourite locations, it’s important to think about documents and make sure you’ve got everything in order.

When buying property in Spain, there are some absolute musts which help to protect you, your purchase and the seller. There are also many contracts you have to sign and taxes you have to pay by law. But what about an accountant? Is that a must when buying property in this Mediterranean country? Or can you go it alone?

Are you thinking about selling your property in Spain? Then it’s important you know all about the tax implications of doing so. Not only are you expected to pay Capital Gains Tax but there’s also an important Plusvalía Tax which can be quite confusing for non-residents and residents alike.

Buying a property in Spain is an amazing opportunity to invest in a growing market, experience a new culture and, of course, enjoy a bit of Spanish sun. But one of the most difficult things foreigners face when starting the search for their dream home is all the complicated terminology. Buying a house is difficult enough in your own country, let alone in a foreign one

Taking all the steps to buy property in Spain is an exciting and occasionally stressful process. You have to decide on which part of the beautiful country you want to spend more time in and go through a lot of bureaucratic work. The good news is that there’s nothing like the feeling of being handed the keys to your brand-new Spanish property. The (slightly) bad news is that you need to maintain it to get the most out of your investment.