Spain is one of Europe's most popular destinations for buyers looking to invest in a property abroad. With 300 days of sunshine a year, low cost of living and fantastic food, it's easy to see why. This guide covers everything you need to know about buying property in Spain — from your first considerations to the moment the keys are in your hand.
Choose your destination
We cover the most popular destinations on the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca — click a town to see the guide and prices:
Costa del Sol
Costa Blanca
What does property cost in Spain?
Prices vary enormously depending on location and property type. Here is an overview of price levels in the most popular destinations:
Costa del Sol: From around 120,000 EUR (Torremolinos apartment) to several million (Marbella villa). Average apartment price: 250,000-400,000 EUR.
Costa Blanca: From around 70,000 EUR (Torrevieja apartment) to 500,000+ EUR (Jávea villa). Average apartment price: 130,000-220,000 EUR.
Step by step: how to buy property in Spain
- Get an NIE number — your Spanish tax ID number (required for any property transaction)
- Open a Spanish bank account — needed for payment and ongoing costs
- Find an independent lawyer — not the agent's lawyer, your own
- Survey the property — nota simple, planning status, loans and charges
- Sign the arras contract — typically a 10% deposit on reservation
- Completion at the notary — signing and payment of the balance plus taxes
- Land registration — registering the property in the Spanish land registry