19 articles
buying-guide
Every article we have published on buying-guide — market data, buying advice and on-the-ground perspective.

Buying guides · 9 min read
NIE Number Guide 2026: How to Get a Spanish NIE as a Foreign Buyer
Everything international buyers need to know about the Spanish NIE number in 2026, how to apply, how long it takes, and when you actually need it.
Marco Elsinger · 12 February 2026

Finance · 10 min read
Spanish Non-Resident Mortgage Guide 2026: Rates, LTV & Lender Shortlist
Spanish mortgages for non-resident buyers explained — LTV limits, which banks actually lend, typical rates, and the paperwork you will be asked for.
Maya Kallio · 19 March 2026

Buying guides · 12 min read
Golden Visa Spain 2026: What Replaced It & How Property Buyers Get Residency
Spain’s Golden Visa ended in April 2025, but three residency routes remain open to property buyers. Here’s what replaced it, what each route requires, and how property still fits into the picture.
Marco Elsinger · 15 April 2026

Buying guides · 14 min read
Buying Property in Spain: The Complete 2026 Guide for Foreign Buyers
The complete step-by-step process for buying property in Spain as a foreigner in 2026 — from NIE application to notary signing, with every cost and legal requirement explained.
Maya Kallio · 16 April 2026

Buying guides · 11 min read
British Buyer’s Guide to Spanish Property: Tax, Costs & Legal Steps
The post-Brexit specifics for British buyers purchasing on the Costa del Sol: the 90/180-day rule, double taxation, Sterling conversion strategies, and what changed when the UK left the EU.
Maya Kallio · 24 April 2026

Finance · 9 min read
Closing Costs When Buying Property in Spain: Every Fee Explained
Every cost beyond the purchase price: ITP, IVA, notary, registro, lawyer, gestoría, and a line-by-line comparison of €1.5M resale vs new-build total costs.
Maya Kallio · 30 April 2026

Buying guides · 10 min read
Buying Off-Plan Property in Spain: Risks, Rewards & Legal Protection
Off-plan buying in Spain: how stage payments work, the bank guarantee that protects your money, how to vet a developer, and the warranty structure that covers you for 10 years.
Maya Kallio · 7 May 2026

Buying guides · 10 min read
Huis Kopen in Spanje: A Dutch Buyer’s Guide to Costa del Sol Property
The Netherlands-specific guide to buying on the Costa del Sol: box 3 tax implications, the belastingverdrag, where Dutch expats live, and why no currency conversion saves you thousands.
Maya Kallio · 8 May 2026

Buying guides · 10 min read
Immobilien Marbella: German Buyer’s Guide to Costa del Sol Luxury
The Germany-specific guide to Marbella property: Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen, Finanzamt obligations, where German buyers concentrate, and why “Porta Benus” gets 2,900 searches a month.
Marco Elsinger · 9 May 2026

Buying guides · 9 min read
Köpa Bostad i Spanien: Swedish Buyer’s Guide to Costa del Sol
Swedish buyers are the fastest-growing Nordic group on the Costa del Sol. This guide covers what you need to know about buying property in Spain as a Swedish national, from tax to areas to the quirks that surprise Scandinavian buyers.
Marco Elsinger · 3 June 2026

Finance · 8 min read
Power of Attorney in Spain: How to Buy Property Without Flying Over
A poder notarial lets your lawyer sign at the notary on your behalf, so you can complete a Spanish property purchase without being in the country. Here is how the process works, what it costs, and where buyers go wrong.
Marco Elsinger · 9 June 2026

Buying guides · 9 min read
Property Surveys in Spain: What Inspectors Check and Why It Matters
Spain does not require a building survey before purchase, but skipping one is a gamble. Independent surveyors check structure, damp, electrics, plumbing, and legality. Costs run €400-1,500 depending on property size, and the findings can save or earn you tens of thousands in negotiation.
Maya Kallio · 10 June 2026

Finance · 8 min read
Currency Exchange for Buying Property in Spain: Timing, Tools & Traps
Your bank’s exchange rate markup can cost you €5,000 to €30,000 on a Spanish property purchase. Specialist FX brokers, forward contracts, and proper timing cut that loss dramatically. Here is how the currency side of buying in Spain actually works.
Marco Elsinger · 11 June 2026

Buying guides · 9 min read
Community of Owners in Spain: Fees, Rules & What Buyers Should Check
Every apartment and most gated villas in Spain belong to a comunidad de propietarios (community of owners). Monthly fees range from €100 to €2,000+ depending on facilities and location. Unpaid community debts transfer to the buyer. Here is what to check before purchasing.
Maya Kallio · 12 June 2026

Buying guides · 8 min read
Choosing a Property Lawyer in Spain: The 8 Questions You Must Ask
Your lawyer is the most important appointment in a Spanish property purchase. An independent abogado checks title, verifies debts, handles taxes, and protects your interests at the notary. These eight questions help you distinguish competent professionals from those who could cost you thousands.
Marco Elsinger · 13 June 2026

Buying guides · 8 min read
Spanish Notary System Explained: What Happens on Completion Day
Completion day at a Spanish notary follows a structured process: identity verification, deed reading, signing, payment confirmation, and key handover. The entire appointment takes 45 to 90 minutes. Here is what happens step by step, what the notary checks, and what you need to bring.
Maya Kallio · 16 June 2026

Buying guides · 9 min read
Villa vs Apartment in Marbella: Space, Cost, Lifestyle & Resale Compared
A villa gives you a pool and a garden. An apartment gives you a lock-and-leave lifestyle with lower running costs. The right choice depends on whether you are living full-time, visiting seasonally, or investing for rental income. Here is the comparison.
Marco Elsinger · 15 July 2026

Buying guides · 7 min read
Spanish Energy Certificates: Ratings, Costs & What Buyers Should Know
Every property sale and rental in Spain requires an energy certificate. Most older Costa del Sol properties rate E to G. New builds typically achieve B or C. Here is what the rating means for your running costs and your purchase decision.
Marco Elsinger · 17 July 2026

Buying guides · 10 min read
Renovating Property in Marbella: Costs, Permits, Timelines & Pitfalls
Older properties on the Golden Mile, Guadalmina Baja, and eastern Marbella sit on plots worth more than the buildings on them. Renovation can add 30 to 50% to a property’s value. Here is what it costs, what permits you need, and where projects go wrong.
Maya Kallio · 18 July 2026
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