Buying property in Spain, without the guesswork
Non-resident buyers often run into fees, tax rules and location risk that aren’t obvious from abroad. NEXEVO coordinates legal, technical and documentation review as part of the project team, rather than leaving buyers to manage each step alone.
No commitment · We call you or write to you on WhatsApp.
Buying from a developer vs. the resale market
Buying a new-build project directly involves a different process than buying resale: staged payments, building licences and completion guarantees all come into play. NEXEVO manages this as the developer of record, not as an intermediary.
The NIE comes before the deed
The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is the foreigner identification number. You cannot buy property in Spain without one.
Non-residents can buy in Spain — including bank-owned stock — though the process adds tax and administrative steps compared with a resident buyer. You will also need a Spanish bank account. NEXEVO walks you through the requirements before you commit capital. Specific legal and tax advice should be confirmed with a licensed advisor for each case.
ITP, IVA and the taxes that follow the property
Buyers typically face transfer tax or VAT, plus notary and registry fees and legal fees, on top of the purchase price. Exact rates vary by region and case. NEXEVO does not give tax advice: confirm figures with a licensed advisor before committing capital.
- ITP (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales). Transfer tax paid when buying resale property. The rate varies by region.
- IVA. VAT, the tax that usually applies when buying new-build from a developer, instead of ITP.
- Plusvalía municipal. Local tax on the increase in the land’s value between purchase and sale. Normally paid by the seller.
- IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles). Annual local property tax, paid by whoever owns the property on 1 January.
What the glossary terms actually catch
The expensive mistakes sit in the documents, not in the listing photo. These are the checks that come first.
- Nota simple. Land Registry extract showing who owns a property, how it is described, and what charges sit on it. It is the first check in any transaction.
- Cargas. Encumbrances: debts or legal limitations attached to a property (mortgages, embargoes, rights of way). They travel with the property, not with the owner.
- Servidumbre de paso. A right of way allowing someone else to cross the land. Buy the plot, and the right of way comes with it.
- ITE (Inspección Técnica de Edificios). Mandatory periodic building inspection for properties over a certain age. An unfavourable report can mean compulsory repair works that the buyer inherits.
Questions before buying
Common pitfalls include underestimating non-resident taxes and purchase fees, unclear land or planning status, and relying on a single intermediary with no accountability for delivery. NEXEVO coordinates legal, technical and documentation review as part of the project team, rather than leaving buyers to manage each step separately.
Yes, non-residents can buy property in Spain. The process involves additional tax and administrative steps compared to resident buyers. NEXEVO coordinates this documentation as part of the project, though specific legal and tax advice should always be confirmed with a licensed advisor for each case.
Buyers typically face transfer tax or VAT (depending on new-build vs. resale), notary and registry fees, and legal fees, in addition to the purchase price. Exact rates vary by region and case, so NEXEVO recommends confirming figures with a licensed tax advisor before committing capital.
Yes. The NIE is the foreigner identification number, and you cannot buy property in Spain without one. Non-residents also need a Spanish bank account. NEXEVO walks you through the requirements before you commit, though the application itself is an administrative step with the authorities.
A nota simple is the Land Registry extract: who owns the property, how it is described, and what charges sit on it. Cargas travel with the property, not with the previous owner. It is the first check in any transaction, and NEXEVO reviews it as part of the same team handling the project.
Can’t find your case? Tell us about it