BENIHOMES · COSTA BLANCA
Buying property on the Costa Blanca as a foreigner: steps and checks
A foreign buyer can consider purchasing a home on the Costa Blanca without already living in Spain. Buying property and obtaining residence rights are separate matters. Before committing money, decide how you will use the home, prepare identification and finance, and have the property and costs checked by suitable professionals. This guide sets out the sequence; it is not individual legal or tax advice.
1. Define the purpose and the full budget
Decide whether the home will be your main residence, a second home or a potential investment. Choose a few non-negotiable requirements — location, access, size and condition — and separate the asking price from the total budget. Allow for purchase taxes, notary and Land Registry costs, finance, repairs and annual running expenses. Spain's Tax Agency distinguishes VAT from transfer tax according to the type of transaction. The tax position for a specific home and purchase date needs checking. Our investment assessment guide helps organise ongoing costs without promising returns.
2. Prepare identification and, where needed, finance
A foreigner's identity number (NIE) is used to identify a foreign buyer in dealings with Spain. The National Police explain the application, including form EX-15, the fee and consular applications from abroad. Check the relevant office and its current requirements before travelling: appointment availability may affect the signing date. For the application paperwork, see our dedicated NIE guide. An NIE is not a residence permit; the Spanish administration explains residence routes separately.
If you need a mortgage, seek an early lender assessment and compare terms before promising a timetable. An initial indication is not final approval. If someone will act for you, ask a qualified professional to check the form and scope of the power of attorney before relying on it. Do not assume that a document signed abroad will automatically be accepted unchanged.
3. View and verify the exact property
Do not buy from photographs alone. Check the address, registered property, physical condition, annexes, access and owners' association. Request a recent nota simple and compare ownership, description and registered charges with the seller's papers. The Land Registrars explain what a nota simple shows. An older extract may miss later events. For an off-plan purchase, also examine the developer, title to the land, planning permission, handover terms and safeguards for advance payments; the Spanish administration's buying guide outlines these checks.
| Before paying a deposit | Document or question |
|---|---|
| Identity | Does the seller match the registered owner? |
| Property | Do the home, annexes and stated areas match the documents? |
| Charges | How will mortgages or other charges be discharged? |
| Costs | Who pays each item, and when? |
| Timing | What happens if finance fails or handover is delayed? |
4. Review the agreement before paying money
A reservation or deposit agreement can have significant financial consequences. Do not sign words you do not understand. Have the parties, property, price, payments, charges, deed date, handover, included items and termination terms reviewed. Spain's Notariado explains deposit agreements and deeds. Before sending funds, confirm the recipient and bank instructions through an independent channel; do not accept a changed account number solely from a forwarded email. Our nota simple, deposit and deed checklist covers these documents in detail.
5. Sign, pay taxes and register title
The notary formalises the deed, checks identity and documents, and explains its effects. A mortgage adds further information and signing steps. After the sale, the applicable taxes are settled and registration of title is arranged. Our 2026 Valencian ITP, VAT and AJD guide explains the relevant taxes and the conditions that affect the rate. Keep the deed, payment receipts, certificates and utility details. The Spanish administration summarises the sequence. If you plan to live in Spain, examine residence, local registration, healthcare and personal tax obligations separately.
Can I buy if I am not resident?
The choice to buy a home and permission to reside are considered through different processes. Identification, finance, tax and immigration status need checking for your circumstances. Our guide to buying without Spanish residency separates ownership, the NIE and the right to stay.
Can BeniHomes help coordinate the process?
We can help define your search, arrange viewings, compare homes, organise documentary questions and coordinate communication with the notary, lender or independent professionals you choose. Individual legal and tax reviews belong with appropriately qualified professionals.
Sources and review: Spanish National Police, General State Administration, College of Land Registrars, Notariado and Tax Agency; consulted on 31 October 2026. Editorial photograph supplied by BeniHomes; it does not necessarily depict a home currently for sale.