What documents will you need to buy a property in Spain as a foreigner?
If you want to buy a property in Spain as a foreigner, you should be aware that you must have certain valid documents in order to do so. This is a mandatory legal requirement that must be met in full.
What documentation will you need to buy a property in Spain as a foreigner?
To buy a property in Spain as a foreigner, the essential documents you must provide are: your NIE (Foreigners’ Identification Number) and your passport (which must be valid). You must also hold a Spanish bank account, provide proof of financial solvency (you will need to submit bank statements, tax returns and, where applicable, an employment contract) and, if applicable, provide a deposit agreement.
Why is this documentation required from a foreign national?
Each of the documents requested from a foreign national before finalising the purchase of a property in Spain is required for a specific reason, as follows:
- NIE. This document is required because it identifies the buyer to the authorities, enabling the formalisation of the public deed, the payment of taxes (such as ITP or VAT) and the registration of the property.
- Passport. This is the document that reliably verifies the person’s identity before a solicitor. In fact, if the NIE is not yet available, the purchase process can be started using the passport. However, the NIE will be mandatory in order to complete the process.
- Bank account. This is necessary to make mandatory payments such as taxes, solicitor’s fees and the transfer of funds for the purchase.
- Proof of financial solvency. These are the documents that prove the legal origin of the funds (bank statements, tax returns, etc.). This prevents people from acquiring property for the purpose of money laundering.
Do all foreign nationals have to submit the same documents?
No, the exact same documents are not required. In fact, European Union citizens can apply for a non-resident NIE, or if they intend to reside in Spain, the Certificate of Registration as a Union Citizen, which makes the process much simpler.
This is because EU citizens benefit from European regulations that remove bureaucratic and investment barriers for their residents. These advantages even extend to the tax burden, which is much lower for EU citizens.
How can I obtain the documents required when buying a house as a foreign national?
Each document is obtained in a different way and from a different authority. For example:
- The application for a NIE must be made in person at the Immigration Offices, at Spanish police stations (by appointment) or at the Spanish consulate in the foreign national’s country of origin. You will need to complete a form, provide your passport (original and a copy), a statement of reasons justifying your application, and pay a fee.
- Bank account. At any bank or savings bank of your choice. You will need to verify your identity using your passport or NIE.
- Proof of funds and the source of funds must be proven by bank statements (originals covering a period of between 3 and 6 months), income tax returns, and various notarised documents from your country of origin, often bearing an apostille. If the money comes from employment savings, you may be asked to provide a letter of employment or payslips. If the money comes from an inheritance, the sale of another property or a gift, you will need to provide the deed of sale or the notarial certificate of the gift, duly apostilled (if the country is a signatory to the Hague Convention).
In all cases, original documents that are in a language other than Spanish must be translated (the translation must be certified) before being submitted to a notary. Otherwise, they will lose their legal validity.
How can Azahar Properties help me?
At Azahar Properties, we offer a personalised service to each of our clients, so we can advise you on the validity of the documents you already have, and guide you on how to obtain any that you are missing.
