The documents needed to buy a property in Spain
Buying a property in Spain requires you to gather different documents, both on the buyer's side and on the property's side. But not all documents are necessarily available from the beginning of the process.
In practice, some of the checks take place after the property has been booked. The property is then blocked while the necessary documents are gathered and its legal, administrative, fiscal and urban planning situation is verified.
The documents required for the buyer
Identity document
A valid identity document is required to identify the buyer and carry out the various procedures related to the transaction. For a French or European national, a valid identity card or passport is usually used.
The NIE: foreigner's identification number
The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is the identification number assigned to foreigners in Spain. It is used for many administrative and tax procedures related to the purchase of real estate.
It is preferable to anticipate its obtaining so as not to delay the various stages of the transaction.
Financial receipts
Depending on the profile of the buyer and the method of financing, different supporting documents may be requested: income, savings, bank statements, current loans or supporting documents to demonstrate the origin of the funds.
These elements may be necessary, in particular in the context of bank financing or controls on the origin of funds.
Financing documents
When the purchase is financed by a loan, the bank generally asks for a file to assess the borrower's financial situation. The nature of the documents requested depends in particular on the tax residence, income and banking institution.
A valid identity document is required to identify the buyer and carry out the various procedures related to the transaction. For a French or European national, a valid identity card or passport is usually used.
The NIE: foreigner's identification number
The NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is the identification number assigned to foreigners in Spain. It is used for many administrative and tax procedures related to the purchase of real estate.
It is preferable to anticipate its obtaining so as not to delay the various stages of the transaction.
Financial receipts
Depending on the profile of the buyer and the method of financing, different supporting documents may be requested: income, savings, bank statements, current loans or supporting documents to demonstrate the origin of the funds.
These elements may be necessary, in particular in the context of bank financing or controls on the origin of funds.
Financing documents
When the purchase is financed by a loan, the bank generally asks for a file to assess the borrower's financial situation. The nature of the documents requested depends in particular on the tax residence, income and banking institution.
Property documents: verifications carried out during the process
It is important to distinguish between the documents that the buyer must provide and those that concern the property. In the purchase process, not all of these are necessarily available before booking.
Once the property has been reserved and blocked, the necessary checks are carried out and the documents useful to the file are gathered. The objective is to confirm the situation of the property before continuing with the final stages of the acquisition.
Once the property has been reserved and blocked, the necessary checks are carried out and the documents useful to the file are gathered. The objective is to confirm the situation of the property before continuing with the final stages of the acquisition.
The simple note
The simple note makes it possible to verify the identity of the owner, the description of the property as well as any charges, mortgages or other entries in the property register.
It is an important element of the verifications carried out on the property and makes it possible to compare the information provided with the situation recorded.
It is an important element of the verifications carried out on the property and makes it possible to compare the information provided with the situation recorded.
The last proof of IBI
The IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) is the local property tax. The proof makes it possible to verify the tax information relating to the property and the status of the payment of this tax.
La cédula de habitabilidad
The cédula de habitabilidad is a document that certifies that a dwelling meets the minimum conditions of habitability provided for by the applicable regulations.
It is important to note that not all property sales in Spain necessarily take place with a valid cédula de habitabilidad. Its requirements and usefulness may vary depending on the autonomous community, the municipality, the type of property, its age and its administrative situation.
The absence of a cedula does not automatically mean that the property is illegal or that a sale is impossible. On the other hand, this situation must be the subject of a specific verification in order to understand why the document is not available and to determine whether this presents a difficulty for the buyer.
Depending on the case, it may be necessary to check the urban location of the property, its authorised use, its age, any changes made since its construction or the conditions applicable to its occupation.
A sale can therefore, in certain situations, be made without a cedula. However, this does not exempt you from checking the administrative and urban planning situation of the housing before continuing with the operation.
It is important to note that not all property sales in Spain necessarily take place with a valid cédula de habitabilidad. Its requirements and usefulness may vary depending on the autonomous community, the municipality, the type of property, its age and its administrative situation.
The absence of a cedula does not automatically mean that the property is illegal or that a sale is impossible. On the other hand, this situation must be the subject of a specific verification in order to understand why the document is not available and to determine whether this presents a difficulty for the buyer.
Depending on the case, it may be necessary to check the urban location of the property, its authorised use, its age, any changes made since its construction or the conditions applicable to its occupation.
A sale can therefore, in certain situations, be made without a cedula. However, this does not exempt you from checking the administrative and urban planning situation of the housing before continuing with the operation.
The energy certificate
The energy performance certificate provides information on the energy consumption of the home and its level of performance. It is one of the documents that may be required in the context of the sale, depending on the location of the property.
The urban situation of the property
The urban planning check is particularly important when a property includes extensions, a swimming pool, annexes or constructions that may have been carried out after the initial construction.
Depending on the municipality and the nature of the property, documents or certificates may be requested in order to verify the urban planning situation and the absence of any offence or procedure likely to affect the property.
The objective is to verify that the reality of the property corresponds to its administrative and urban situation and to identify, if necessary, the elements requiring further analysis
Depending on the municipality and the nature of the property, documents or certificates may be requested in order to verify the urban planning situation and the absence of any offence or procedure likely to affect the property.
The objective is to verify that the reality of the property corresponds to its administrative and urban situation and to identify, if necessary, the elements requiring further analysis
Cadastral information
The cadastral data make it possible to compare the information recorded with the characteristics of the property. Particular attention can be paid to the surface area, the plot and the existing buildings when the situation justifies it
Documents relating to the co-ownership
For an apartment or property located in a condominium, it is important to check the charges, any unpaid bills, the work voted or planned and the important information from the condominium.
These elements can have a financial impact for the buyer and should therefore be examined before proceeding with the transaction.
These elements can have a financial impact for the buyer and should therefore be examined before proceeding with the transaction.
Licenses and authorizations depending on the property
Depending on the nature of the property, additional documents may be required. This may in particular concern certain licences, authorisations, declarations or documents relating to constructions, swimming pools, extensions or changes of use.
The exact list depends on the property, its history and the rules applicable locally.
The exact list depends on the property, its history and the rules applicable locally.
Why do verifications take place after booking?
In a real estate transaction, the property can be reserved in order to block it and prevent it from being sold to another buyer during the verification phase.
The reservation therefore takes place before all the documents and controls are necessarily gathered. Once the property has been blocked, the documentary checks are carried out and the necessary elements are requested from the various interlocutors.
This phase makes it possible to verify that the information communicated on the property corresponds to its real situation and to identify any points that need to be clarified before continuing the operation.
The reservation therefore takes place before all the documents and controls are necessarily gathered. Once the property has been blocked, the documentary checks are carried out and the necessary elements are requested from the various interlocutors.
This phase makes it possible to verify that the information communicated on the property corresponds to its real situation and to identify any points that need to be clarified before continuing the operation.
Additional documents depending on the type of property
Not all properties have the same characteristics. A detached house, a condominium, a property with land, a property with a swimming pool or a construction that has been modified may require different checks.
There is therefore no single and identical list of documents applicable to each transaction. The nature of the property and its history determine the controls to be carried out.
There is therefore no single and identical list of documents applicable to each transaction. The nature of the property and its history determine the controls to be carried out.
The role of I.C.B.'s support in the verification of the file.
Buying real estate in Spain is not just about identifying a property and signing with the notary. An important part of the process is verifying the information and documents to secure the transaction.
The notary is involved in the formalisation of the sale and in the controls relating to his duties. However, other checks may be necessary depending on the property and its location.
Professional support makes it possible to coordinate these checks, identify missing documents and have the points that require special attention analyzed before proceeding with the purchase.
The notary is involved in the formalisation of the sale and in the controls relating to his duties. However, other checks may be necessary depending on the property and its location.
Professional support makes it possible to coordinate these checks, identify missing documents and have the points that require special attention analyzed before proceeding with the purchase.
FAQ – The documents needed to buy in Spain
Is the NIE mandatory to buy a property in Spain?
The NIE is used for many administrative and tax procedures related to the purchase. It is therefore recommended to obtain it early enough so as not to delay the process.
Do I need to have all the documents for the property before booking it?
No. In practice, certain documents and checks are carried out after booking. The property is then blocked while the necessary checks are carried out.
Can a sale be made without a cedula de habitabilidad?
In some situations, yes. The requirement for the cedula depends in particular on the territory, the type of property and its location. However, his or her absence must be explained and subject to appropriate verification.
Should we check for any urban planning offences?
Yes, when the location of the property requires it. This verification is particularly important for properties that have been the subject of extensions, ancillary constructions, swimming pools or modifications.
What documents does the seller need to provide?
The documents depend on the property and its location. They may concern in particular the ownership, the tax situation, the co-ownership, the urban planning, the habitability and the administrative characteristics of the property.
Are the documents the same for all purchases?
No. The list varies according to the type of property, its location, its age, its history and any modifications that have been made.
The NIE is used for many administrative and tax procedures related to the purchase. It is therefore recommended to obtain it early enough so as not to delay the process.
Do I need to have all the documents for the property before booking it?
No. In practice, certain documents and checks are carried out after booking. The property is then blocked while the necessary checks are carried out.
Can a sale be made without a cedula de habitabilidad?
In some situations, yes. The requirement for the cedula depends in particular on the territory, the type of property and its location. However, his or her absence must be explained and subject to appropriate verification.
Should we check for any urban planning offences?
Yes, when the location of the property requires it. This verification is particularly important for properties that have been the subject of extensions, ancillary constructions, swimming pools or modifications.
What documents does the seller need to provide?
The documents depend on the property and its location. They may concern in particular the ownership, the tax situation, the co-ownership, the urban planning, the habitability and the administrative characteristics of the property.
Are the documents the same for all purchases?
No. The list varies according to the type of property, its location, its age, its history and any modifications that have been made.
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