Want to buy a holiday home in Spain? A good idea because Spain has a lot to offer: beautiful weather, good food, a rich culture, a peaceful pace of life. Yet there are a number of things you need to take into account if you want to buy a second home in Spain. You need to have a number of legal documents.

Some you have to apply for with the Spanish government and that is not always quick because the bureaucracy is big and cumbersome. So start in time. Or ask the estate agent where you are buying the property to help you with this process. We give you an overview of the legal documents you need.

Identity card

If you are going to buy a house in Spain then you need to have an identity card. You need the details on your passport to verify the details on your other documents with and to apply for documents from the Spanish government.

NIE number

You also need an NIE card. This is basically a Spanish residence permit and you need it to conduct financial transactions in Spain (e.g. buy a house). You can apply for the NIE card at the Spanish embassy or at a police station in the region where you want to buy your second home.

Make sure you have your identity card with you (see above). You will have to fill in a form and your financial ability to buy a house will be checked. You can prove this by showing that you have a job or are receiving a pension. After that, it will take about two weeks for you to receive the NIE card. Along with the NIE card, you will get a tax number, which you will have to mention in all financial transactions you do in Spain.

Spanish bank account

To buy a house in Spain, you need to have a Spanish bank account. This way, people can see where your money comes from. You also need that account if you want to take out a mortgage in Spain. It allows you to pay your monthly repayments.

Health insurance proof documents

If you want to buy a Spanish holiday home, you must be able to prove that you have health insurance. This is how the Spanish government knows you are financially ‘capable’ of paying for a house. Perhaps you have health insurance anyway so make sure you have copies with you so you can present them as proof.

Nota Simple

The Nota Simple is a document you definitely need to buy the second home of your dreams. If you don’t have it, the notary can make sure the purchase does not go through. The Nota Simple describes exactly which real estate is involved, what the ownership relationships are and whether there are any debts attached to the house (e.g. if the loan has not yet been repaid).

Supporting documents 

Finally, you must be able to prove that you are not taking over any debts by signing the purchase contract. Consider property taxes (‘impuestos sobre bienes immuebles’) and waste tax (‘basura y alcantarillado’). In Spain, these types of taxes are linked to a property, not a person. So if the previous occupant did not pay the taxes, you take over the debts along with the house. This is not the intention, which is why the selling party must be able to produce proof of payment of these taxes.

If you decide to buy a holiday home in Spain, be sure to visit the Second Home Expo. Besides a varied selection of holiday homes, estate agents and experts can answer your questions. There are also interesting seminars on buying a house in Spain. This way you will be fully informed in half an hour.