There’s always loads of legal stuff involved in buying any property, but as a foreigner in Spain you’ll have extra paperwork to do. Here’s the list:
NIE: The Numero de Identidad de Extranjero, Foreigners’ Identity Number, is a type of ID that could be either in card or certificate form and is necessary to make any property purchase in Spain. When you sign the contract, you’ll need to present it to the notary, and everyone named in the contract and the documents will need one. You can apply for a NIE from any Spanish consulate in Britain but be aware that it could take anywhere from 1 to 6 months to arrive.
Nota Simple: As soon as you decide to make an offer on a property, you should request a nota simple for it. This is a document that summarises all the details of the land and the property, whether it’s registered, who the owner is and if there are any outstanding debts on it. Most estate agencies will already have the nota simple available but you should make sure it’s up to date – less than a month old.
Bank account: Whether you’re buying with a mortgage or not, you’ll need a Spanish bank account. This will allow you to pay your bills, the community costs if there are any, taxes and more. You’d be well-advised to do the rounds of different banks and choose the best one with the best deal for you, as accounts and interest rates can vary.
Legal stuff from your living room
Power of Attorney: By signing away your legal agency to a lawyer or other person of trust, you allow them to manage your finances, sign documents in your name, open an account and set up direct debits, which can be very handy if you don’t speak the language or can’t be out there to do it yourself. The only thing they can’t do is get you a mortgage. However, you should specify every single service they may perform for you, as well as the start and end dates of the Power of Attorney, if you don’t want to lose your autonomy altogether!