Buying a home in Spain isn't harder than buying one back home — it's simply different. Here is exactly how the two compare, side by side, with nothing left in the small print.
You already know how to buy a house. You've done it before. The worry isn't the buying — it's the unfamiliarity. New words, a different order of events, a notary instead of an exchange. Once you can see the Spanish process laid next to the British one, the mystery falls away.
The whole comparison on one page. We'll unpack each row in the sections that follow.
| United Kingdom | Spain (Costa Blanca) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who handles the legals | A conveyancing solicitor acting for you | An independent lawyer (abogado) acting for you, plus a state notary who certifies the deed |
| The point of no return | Exchange of contracts — you're legally bound to complete, but typically don't pay until completion day | Signing the deposit (arras) contract — you pay ~10% here, weeks before completion, and your commitment is sealed |
| Completion happens | Remotely, between solicitors, by bank transfer | In person at the notary's office, with both sides present, often by banker's draft |
| First admin hurdle | None unusual | An NIE number and a euro-denominated account before you can complete — either a Spanish bank account or an online multi-currency account |
| Purchase tax (resale) | Stamp Duty (SDLT), 0–12% on a sliding scale | Transfer tax (ITP) — 9% in the Valencian Community from 1 June 2026 (was 10%) |
| Purchase tax (new build) | Stamp Duty, same scale | 10% VAT (IVA) + 1.5% stamp duty (AJD) |
| Typical extra costs | Roughly 1.5–4% on top | Roughly 11–14% on top — budget on the all-in figure, never the asking price |
| Debts attach to… | The previous owner | The property itself — which is why due diligence matters so much |
| Typical timeline | Notoriously slow — 12–16 weeks is common, and longer if there's a chain | 6–10 weeks once your NIE and finances are ready |
Read the two columns together. You'll notice the rhythm is similar — it's the order and the names that differ.
Six Spanish terms you'll hear again and again — and what each one means in plain English.
Your Número de Identidad de Extranjero — a foreigner's tax ID. You can't buy, pay tax or set up utilities without it. You'll also need a euro-denominated account to complete — your choice of a Spanish bank account or an online multi-currency account.
No direct UK equivalentAn official extract from the Land Registry showing who owns the property and whether any debts or charges are attached to it. Costs around €10–€20. Your lawyer will pull this early.
Like a Land Registry title checkThe public title deed of sale, signed in front of the notary. The moment this is signed, ownership passes to you and the keys are yours.
Like completion + the transfer deedThe deposit contract, usually around 10%. It commits both sides: if you walk away you lose the deposit; if the seller pulls out they typically owe you double. This is the real point of no return.
Like exchange of contractsA state-appointed official who certifies the sale is legal and the deed genuine. Important: the notary is neutral — they do not protect your interests. That's your lawyer's job.
Part-registrar, part-witnessImpuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles — the annual local property tax, paid to the town hall. Modest on most Costa Blanca homes. You'll register for it after completion.
Like Council TaxThe listing price is never the final figure. Here's a worked example on a typical €200,000 Costa Blanca resale, at the new 2026 rate.
Illustrative figures for guidance only. New builds are taxed differently (10% IVA + 1.5% AJD). Your lawyer will give you an exact breakdown for your specific purchase.
Four things that work differently in Spain — none of them frightening once you understand them.
In the UK your solicitor does everything. In Spain the work splits: a neutral notary certifies the deed, while your own lawyer protects your interests and runs the checks. You want both — and you choose your lawyer freely.
A Spanish home can carry unpaid debts — community fees, IBI, even a mortgage. They pass to the new owner unless cleared. This is precisely why thorough due diligence on the nota simple is non-negotiable.
Brits expect to be free until exchange. In Spain the arras deposit contract — signed weeks before the notary — is the true point of no return. Get your lawyer's eyes on it before you sign anything.
Completion isn't a remote transfer between offices. Everyone gathers at the notary's office to sign. Can't travel? A power of attorney lets your lawyer sign on your behalf — very common for overseas buyers.
From your first viewing to the keys in your hand, we'll walk every step with you — and connect you with trusted independent lawyers who speak your language. No jargon, no pressure, just honest guidance from a family team who live here too.