Buying a property in Spain is different from buying in Sweden.
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To start with, it is not so common to have exclusivity for a property, it is more common for one property to have three, four or more brokers.
The brokers in Spain are not required to have any specific training, the brokers have no legal responsibility, their task is to find a seller and a buyer.
​Therefore, we at RBL recommend all our clients to get a legal representative, a representative who can communicate in Swedish (or other language you are comfortable with) and Spanish, professional representative who is trained and knowledgeable about buying a home in Spain. The buyer has an obligation to check that the property is legal in its condition.
​When the legal representative has ensured that the property is legal, the existing building permit and the buyer have an adequate contract, your representative and the broker hand over the matter to a notary in the municipality.
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We at RBL have contact with a Scandinavian legal representative, bank contact and technical architect in this area.
Prices:
The price of a property is the accepted price by sellers. In Spain, bidding is unusual, instead the seller makes a deal with the buyer who is willing to pay the requested price or the lower price agreed after negotiation.
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Additional costs:
When you buy a home in Spain, there are some costs for e.g. taxes, notary, registration etc. in addition to the purchase price itself.
In general, you should expect a supplement to the purchase price of about 10–13%.
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Taxes:
When buying newly produced residential properties, VAT of 10% of the purchase price is added. In addition, a stamp duty of 1.5% is added.
In the case of second-hand homes, a transfer tax of 8-10% will be added instead, depending on the region and the size of the purchase price. However, no stamp duty is paid. It is important to check what applies with the particular property you are interested in.
Notary fees:
The buyer is responsible for the notary's fee when the parties exchange the purchase contract. The actual cost here can be difficult to estimate in advance as a number of different factors come into play, but a fairly good rule of thumb is that it is about approx. 0.5% of the purchase price.
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Registration fees:
The registration in the property register under the new owner. It is a cost that is difficult to give an exact value of, but even here a good rule of thumb is 0.5% of the purchase price.
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Connection fees:
Upon access, there are connection fees and / or fees for changing subscriptions for water and sewage, electricity, and any gas.
How is the purchase done?
When you and the seller have agreed with the broker, a purchase contract is written, stating, among other things, the price and the date of entry. In connection with this, you pay a down payment, usually 10 percent of the purchase price, as proof that you will complete the deal.
The usual thing is that your preparations (eg financing, NIE number, time with a notary) mean that access takes place approx. 30-60 days after signing the contract. On the day of access, you will receive the keys and can move in.
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NIE number:
To be able to own a home in Spain, you need a Spanish tax identification number, a so-called NIE number. Only then can you open a bank account and sign the law. You apply for an NIE number from the Spanish police, the Spanish embassy or the consulate in Sweden. Perhaps the easiest way to do this is through a representative through a power of attorney at the Spanish embassy or consulate in Sweden, or alternatively at a Spanish police station. Your legal representative or us will be happy to help you with NIE.
House deed:
Legal registration is registered in the land register, this takes about 2-3 months. When it is registered after all taxes and fees have been paid, you will receive it back with the registration certificate.
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Notary:
Notary is an officially appointed lawyer who in this case has the task of checking the identity of the parties, The notary NEVER checks the condition of the home, you as the buyer are responsible for checking the home before signing, in Spain the purchase of used homes "existing condition" . The notary informs about the home's debts if there are any and checks that the payment made to the seller is made correctly according to Spanish law and that the seller has received his / her money before he / she signs. They also prepare the purchase deed that forms the basis for your legal application.
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Duty to investigate:
As a buyer, you are responsible for carefully examining the home before you sign the purchase contract. Alternatively, deviation from this must be stipulated in the purchase contract. RBL has contacts with independent legal representatives and skilled independent technical architects.
There are no additional costs for you to hire RBL Förmedling or any other brokerage fees, it is the seller who is responsible for this according to a separate contract.