After deciding to buy a house in Spain, you are not sure about what steps to follow to formalize the purchase as a foreigner. Fear not, in this post you will find all the information that you need to make that dream house yours.

Firstly, we will make a distinction on whether the purchase of the home is made by a natural or legal person.

Natural persons from EU countries:

1. Valid Passport
2. NIE (Foreigner Identification Number): essential for the date of the signature of the deed. We recommend requesting it at the time of purchasing the property.
3. Bank account in Spain: necessary for the direct debit payment of utilities, IBI, community expenses and other expenses.
4. Provide an account number for payments.
5. Appoint a tax representative: essential for signing the public deed and paying taxes.
6. Translation services and deed management.

Natural persons from non-EU countries:

For individuals from non-EU countries, the requirements are the same, and they must also have a military permit.

This permit is necessary for properties located in the Orihuela Costa area. For processing you must provide:

1. A copy of the passports legitimized and translated before the purchasers’ notary.
2. Criminal record certificate of all purchasers translated into Spanish by a sworn translator and with a Hague apostille.

Legal persons from EU countries:

1. Valid passport of the representatives.
2. NIE (Foreigner Identification Number) of the representatives: it is essential for the date of the signature of the deed. We recommend requesting it at the time of purchasing the property.
3. CIF or supporting documentation of the company duly translated and apostilled: as well as proof of the real holder of the document, the natural persons who control more than 25% of the stocks or shares.
4. Bank account in Spain: necessary for the direct debit payment of water supplies, electricity, IBI, community expenses and other expenses.
5. Provide the source account number for payments.
6. Appoint a tax representative: essential for signing the public deed and paying taxes.
7. Translation services and deed management.

As with natural persons from non-EU countries, legal persons from non-EU countries must request a military permit if the home is in Orihuela Costa.

Once you have complied with all these obligations and requirements, and after signing the deposit contract, it is time to sign the sale contract, which implies the formal provision of consent by both parties, where the methods of payment and the delivery date of the property will be agreed, and the mortgage will be established, and the deed signed.

Now for the final step, the most desired, the handover of keys! It’s time to enjoy your new TM home.