Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Spain places no nationality restrictions on buying property, so EU and non-EU buyers follow the same process. You will need an NIE (see below) and a Spanish bank account.

Yes. The NIE is the identification number for foreigners, and you need it to buy, to open a bank account and to pay taxes in Spain. You can apply at a Spanish consulate abroad or in person in Spain, or your lawyer can apply for you with a power of attorney. Allow a few weeks.

After your viewings, we put your offer to the seller. Once it is agreed, a reservation agreement takes the property off the market while your lawyer checks it. You then sign a deposit contract (arras) and pay a deposit. The sale completes at the notary, where you pay the balance, sign the title deed (escritura) and receive the keys. Your lawyer then registers the property in your name.

The reservation agreement comes with a small deposit and takes the property off the market while your lawyer runs the checks. The arras contract follows, usually with a deposit of 10% of the price. If the buyer pulls out, they lose the deposit. If the seller pulls out, they pay the buyer back double.

Usually 6 to 10 weeks from agreed offer to completion. A cash purchase can be quicker. A mortgage or a complicated property can take longer.

We strongly recommend an independent lawyer, who checks the title, debts, licences and planning status before you commit. We can introduce you to English- and German-speaking lawyers we have worked with for years. They act for you, not for us.

Yes. Many of our clients do. You can sign a power of attorney at a notary in Spain or at a Spanish consulate, and your lawyer completes for you. We can show you properties by live video and keep you updated at every step.

Yes. Spanish banks lend to non-residents, usually up to about 60–70% of the purchase price or valuation, whichever is lower. Speak to a bank or mortgage broker early, as approval can add a few weeks.

Budget roughly 10–15% of the price for purchase tax, notary, land registry and legal fees. The tax is the largest part (see the next question). A mortgage adds its own costs.

On a resale property you pay transfer tax (ITP). In the Balearic Islands it runs on a sliding scale from 8% to 13%, rising with the price. On a new build bought from the developer you pay VAT at 10% plus stamp duty (AJD) instead.

Notary and land registry fees are set by official scales and usually total a few thousand euros together. Lawyers typically charge around 1% of the price plus VAT. Ask for a quote before you instruct one.

Every owner pays the local property tax (IBI) and a rubbish collection charge to the council. Non-residents also file a yearly non-resident income tax return on the property, and higher-value assets may be liable to wealth tax. A tax adviser can tell you exactly what applies to you.

No. On sales, the seller pays our fee, so as a buyer you pay no agency fee.

Not any more. Spain ended its “Golden Visa” in 2025, so buying property no longer leads to residency. Other routes exist, such as the non-lucrative visa or the digital nomad visa. An immigration lawyer can advise you.

Only with a tourist rental licence, and the rules in Mallorca are strict. New licences for flats are very restricted, and Palma no longer grants them. Some houses already hold a licence, which can add real value. We will tell you a property's status before you make an offer.

An ETV is the Balearic licence for holiday rentals in a house. It belongs to the property rather than to the owner, so it can pass to a new owner when the sale is notified to the authorities. Your lawyer should confirm the licence is valid and in order before you buy.

Yes. We find and vet long-term tenants for owners and handle the contract.

Long-term rentals of a main home are covered by Spain's Urban Leases Law (LAU), which protects both tenant and landlord. Shorter stays, for example for work or study, use a seasonal contract instead. We will explain which applies when you find a property.

Usually your passport or NIE and proof of income, such as payslips, an employment contract or bank statements. By law the deposit for a home is one month's rent. Landlords may ask for an extra guarantee of up to two more months.

For a main home, the tenant can stay for up to 5 years (7 if the landlord is a company), renewing year by year. The rent can be updated once a year, within the limits set by law and the contract.

For most long-term rentals of a main home, the landlord pays the agency fee. For higher-value rentals and seasonal lets, the tenant may be liable. We will always tell you up front, before you commit to anything.

Yes. We can show you round by live video. Never pay a deposit for a property that has not been shown to you, in person or by an agent you trust.

Our home is South West Mallorca: Santa Ponsa, Portals Nous, Bendinat, Port d'Andratx and the coast in between. We also cover Palma and other parts of the island. See Our Favourite Places.

Our main office is in Santa Ponsa and our marina office is in Portals Nous. Both are open Monday to Friday, 9:30 to 18:00, and on Saturdays by appointment. Out of hours, WhatsApp us any time. Full details are on Contact.

English, Spanish, Catalan, German, French, Swedish, Russian and Welsh.

Yes, and it is very common. We can source properties we are not advertising directly, so you deal with just us instead of coordinating with several agencies.

Yes. Our aim is a long-term relationship: we want you to come back to us and recommend us to your friends. We stay in touch after completion and can put you in touch with local professionals we trust.

Start with our Sell page. It covers our fees, the free valuation, the documents you will need, timescales and selling from abroad. Then book your valuation.