Buying a house in Spain: the list of required documents

Attractive property prices, a pleasant climate, high quality of life, and strong international connections… Spain is an attractive destination for many foreigners, who can take advantage of a wide range of houses and apartments for sale on the Iberian Peninsula to make a rental investment or buy a second home by the sea. 

If you are planning to become a homeowner in Spain, don't let a simple administrative oversight spoil your real estate project. Discover the list of documents you need to prepare and consult to make your purchase a success.
 

1. Buyer identification documents

To be authorized to buy a house or apartment in Spain, the buyer must show proof of identity. 

To do so, they must present : 

• A valid passport or ID card.
• Your NIE (Foreigner Identification Number).

2. Financial documents required for the property purchase

If a foreigner wishes to buy a property in Spain, he or she must be able to provide certain financial documents, including :

• Proof of funds or solvency: bank statements or letters from bank references proving the buyer's financial capacity.
• Proof of opening a Spanish bank account. Opening an account is required to make payments related to the purchase, and to settle taxes and charges.

3. Property-related documents in Spain

In Spain, the purchase of a property requires you to be in possession of a number of documents before you can sign the deed of sale and register the property with the Land Registry. 

• Nota Simple. This extract from the Spanish Land Registry establishes the legal status of the property: owner, mortgage, debts, easements.... It must be less than 3 months old.
• Certificate of occupancy (Cédula de Habitabilidad or Licencia de Primera Ocupación).
• Energy performance certificate (Certificado de Eficiencia Energética).
• Building inspection reports for older properties, including ITE (Technical Building Inspection) for buildings over 45 years old.
• DAFO (Declaración Asimilada a Fuera de Ordenación), especially for rural properties often built without permits. 
• The latest receipt for payment of IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles), the annual property tax due by all property owners in Spain.
• Latest paid bills for water, electricity or gas. 
• Escritura de compraventa. The deed of sale signed before a notary is required to register the property with the Spanish Land Registry.

​​​​

4. Optional contractual documents

Depending on your situation, you may also present:

• The deposit contract (contrato de arras). This is a reservation contract that provides proof of payment of a deposit. 
• The power of attorney if the buyer or seller is represented by a third party at the signing at the notary's office.

5. Additional documents to review

Finally, it's always a good idea to read all the documents concerning the property you're about to buy. These vary according to the location and nature of the property: 

• The co-ownership statutes, especially if you're buying an apartment.
• Current rental contracts, in the case of a property sold for rent.
• The technical project, which includes the town planning certificate and building permit for recent constructions or for properties where work has been carried out.
• Land registry certificate.

To find out more about buying property in Spain, take a look at our other articles on the subject:

Becoming a property owner in Spain, things to know 
The role of a notary in real estate transaction in Spain 
Warranties and insurance for new homes in Spain 
Useful tips for buying off-plan in Spain