Buying property in Spain
Spain's property market is decentralised — each autonomous community (region) sets its own transfer tax rates, and planning rules vary significantly between regions. Understanding whether land is classified suelo urbano or suelo rústico is the most important due diligence step for rural buyers.
Spain
Legal & Ownership
Nota simple, suelo rústico, LPO, and the NIE — the essential legal framework for buying in Spain.
›Can foreigners buy property in Spain?
›What is the difference between suelo urbano and suelo rústico in Spain?
›What is a Licencia de Primera Ocupación (LPO) and why does it matter?
Buying Process
Contrato de arras, notaría, gestor — the Spanish property purchase process step by step.
›What are the stages of buying property in Spain?
Taxes & Costs
ITP transfer tax by autonomous community, IBI annual property tax, and total acquisition cost breakdown for Spain.
›What is ITP (Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales) and how much is it?
›What is IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) — Spain's annual property tax?
Running Costs
Annual costs of owning a rural property in Andalusia, Catalonia, or Galicia — including utilities, pool, and community fees.
›What does it cost to run a rural property in Spain per year?
Rural & Agricultural
Suelo rústico restrictions, finca legality, water rights, and the most common pitfalls in rural Spanish purchases.
›How does water supply and water rights work for rural property in Spain?
Practical Living
Year-round life in Andalusia, Catalonia, Galicia — climate, infrastructure, and healthcare for foreign owners.
›How does healthcare work for foreign property owners in Spain?