Do I need an NIE number to buy?

Yes. Without the Spanish foreigner tax number (NIE) a purchase cannot be completed at the notary. It is applied for at the police or a Spanish consulate; we help arrange it in good time.

What purchase costs should I expect?

As a rule of thumb, roughly 11 to 13 % above the purchase price. On a resale the Valencian Community charges 10 % transfer tax (ITP); on a new build it is 10 % VAT plus around 1.5 % stamp duty (AJD), plus notary, registry and your lawyer. Figures illustrative, as of 2026, not tax advice.

Who pays the agency commission?

In Spain the agency commission is usually paid by the seller. As a buyer, with us there is no separate agency fee.

Does the notary check the property for me?

No. The Spanish notary certifies the purchase and confirms identity, but neither checks for liens nor represents your interests. That is what the lien check before reservation and your own independent lawyer are for.

How long does a purchase take?

From the reservation and the private contract (arras) to the notary appointment is usually six to ten weeks, depending on financing and paperwork.

Can I get a mortgage as a non-resident?

Usually yes. Spanish banks often lend non-residents around 60 to 70 % of the lower of price and valuation. We introduce you to lending partners; the decision rests with the bank.

The Safe Purchase

With us, money only moves once the checks are complete

The most common damage when buying in Spain does not happen at the notary but weeks earlier: a deposit on an unchecked house. Our process makes that mistake technically impossible, and lays out every cost before you commit.

0 € before the checks No reservation on unchecked houses

4 checks per property Registry, energy, community, habitability

6 steps on the roadmap Each names who protects you

The property status, live on every house

Two properties from our current portfolio, with their real status. On the first the checks are complete; on the second they are still running — and the reserve button hangs on exactly that.

Moraira Ref. CF-2041

Villa at El Portet

4 bedrooms · 3 bathrooms · 1,240 m² plot · sea view

A house looking over the cove, ten minutes on foot from the beach. Fully checked, ready to reserve.

Property status 4/4

Nota simple · liens Checked 04.07.2026 · free of liens
Energy certificate (CEE) On file · class D
Community fees & IBI No arrears · certificate on file
Habitation licence (cédula) On file and valid

1.485.000 €

Request reservation

Benissa Ref. CF-2038

Finca near Benissa

3 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · 5,800 m² of land · vineyards

A restored finca among the vineyards. The lien check is in progress; reservation follows after.

Property status 2/4

Nota simple · liens Being checked · result by 17.07.2026
Energy certificate (CEE) On file · class E
Community fees & IBI Certificate requested
Habitation licence (cédula) On file and valid

745.000 €

Reservation still locked

Reservation is locked until the lien check is complete. That is how we protect your deposit.

This is not a design choice; it is the rule we work by: without a completed lien check, CostaFirme accepts no reservation. From anyone.

Costs in plain terms

What this villa really costs, before you even enquire. Every item in euros, no footnote surprise at the notary.

Moraira Villa at El Portet

Purchase price: 1.485.000 €
Transfer tax (ITP, 10 %): 148.500 €
Notary (deed): ≈ 1.850 €
Land Registry: ≈ 1.150 €
Independent lawyer (≈ 1 % + IVA): ≈ 17.900 €
Realistic total outlay (around 11.4 % above the price): ≈ 1.654.400 €

At CostaFirme the agency commission is always paid by the seller. As a buyer you pay no agency fee.

Worked example, as of 2026, Valencian Community. Figures are illustrative and vary case by case. Not tax or legal advice.

The roadmap, step by step

Six steps from first viewing to the Land Registry. Each one names who protects your interests at that moment.

NIE number and bank account

No purchase happens without the Spanish foreigner tax number. We walk you through the application before the search gets serious.

Who protects you hereUs, with your gestoría
Nota simple: the lien check

The official registry extract shows mortgages, charges and the true owner. With us it is checked before a property can even be reserved.

Who protects you hereUs, documented in the property status
Your own lawyer, before the reservation

We recommend engaging an independent lawyer before you sign anything with us. That lawyer works for you, not for us and not for the seller.

Who protects you hereYour lawyer, yours alone
Reservation and arras contract

Only now does money move: a reservation against verified documents, then the private contract (arras) with clear withdrawal rules for both sides.

Who protects you hereYour lawyer reviews every clause
Notary appointment (escritura)

The public deed is signed; the balance is paid simultaneously against keys and title.

Who protects you hereYour lawyer, beside you at the table
Registry entry and handover

Taxes are settled, the deed is entered in the Land Registry, and utilities and community pass into your name. Only then is the purchase truly complete.

Who protects you hereYour lawyer and your gestoría

View the buyer area What our buyers see behind the login. Demo, no real sign-in.

Signed in as Sattler family · Villa at El Portet

Step	Status	Documents
Lien check	complete · 04.07.2026	Nota simple (PDF) Community certificate
Cost sheet	delivered · 05.07.2026	Cost sheet (PDF)
Reservation	active until 24.07.2026	Reservation agreement
Arras draft	with your lawyer	Contract draft (arras)

Agency credentials

Agent registry (API / colegiado)[PLACEHOLDER — Registro / Colegiado-Nr.]
Professional liability[PLACEHOLDER — Haftpflicht-Police]
Tax ID (CIF)[PLACEHOLDER — CIF]

Registry and insurance numbers appear as linked credentials on a live site. These are placeholders.

The property status, live on every house

Villa at El Portet

Property status 4/4

Finca near Benissa

Property status 2/4

Costs in plain terms

The roadmap, step by step

NIE number and bank account

Nota simple: the lien check

Your own lawyer, before the reservation

Reservation and arras contract

Notary appointment (escritura)

Registry entry and handover

Agency credentials

Buying a home in Spain, briefly explained