Name: Your Overseas Home: Virtual Event
Start: 2026-03-21T08:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-03-21T20:00:00+00:00

Question 1

What is the property buying process in Spain?

Accepted Answer

A typical Spain purchase follows:

(1) offer accepted,

(2) reservation agreement and deposit,

(3) legal due diligence (Land Registry checks via nota simple, debts, planning/licences, community fees),

(4) private contract (often “arras”) with a larger deposit,

(5) completion at the Notary where funds are transferred and the escritura is signed, and

(6) registration at the Registro de la Propiedad.

You should avoid paying significant deposits before a lawyer confirms title, charges, and planning status—especially for rural homes or properties with extensions.

Download Spain Buying Guide to learn more about the process from start to finish.

Question 2

What taxes and fees should I budget for when buying property in Spain?

Accepted Answer

Costs depend on whether the home is resale or new build and the region. Resales usually involve ITP (transfer tax) set by the autonomous community; new builds often involve VAT/IVA plus AJD (stamp duty) (the Canary Islands use IGIC instead of IVA for many items). In addition, budget for Notary fees, Land Registry fees, legal conveyancing, and translations if needed.

After purchase, typical ongoing costs include IBI (property tax), community fees (if applicable), utilities, and non-resident tax obligations if you don’t live in Spain full-time.

Question 3

What is the buying process in France?

Accepted Answer

A typical France purchase follows:

(1) offer accepted,

(2) sign the preliminary contract (often compromis de vente or promesse de vente) with key conditions (e.g., mortgage approval),

(3) buyer cooling-off period (commonly 10 days for non-professional buyers),

(4) notary due diligence (title, charges, planning, pre-emption rights),

(5) arrange finance/insurance and transfer funds,

(6) sign the final deed (acte authentique) at the notary and receive keys,

(7) registration is completed by the notary. Avoid paying large deposits before the notary confirms terms and protections.

Most estate agents in France will be equipped to assist you with this process. We strongly recommend seeking an independent legal assistance such as a lawyer who specialises in French property purchases.

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