Are you abroad and want to buy or sell a house in Spain?
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Communications team
The Dream vs. Reality: buying a property in Barcelona or on the Costa Brava from abroad sounds idyllic. Whether as an investment, a future residence, or simply by inheritance, the Spanish real estate market remains a powerful magnet. However, for non-residents, the “Spanish dream” often clashes head-on with a complex administrative reality.
At GRÀCIACALBET, we see it every week: international clients getting lost in a maze of impossible appointments, forms in a technical language, and banking requirements that seem to change every month. The good news is that you don’t have to come to Spain to sign; you just need the right strategy.
The Challenge: Why is it so difficult to operate from abroad? It’s not just a matter of language. The Spanish system has particularities that can block a transaction at the last minute if they are not anticipated:
The “NIE” Wall
It is the master key. Without a Foreigner Identification Number (NIE), you cannot buy, you cannot sell, and often you cannot even open the bank account needed to transfer funds. Obtaining it from abroad through consulates can take months.
The Tax Trap for the Seller
If you are a non-resident and sell your house, the buyer is legally required to withhold 3% of the sale price and pay it directly to the Tax Agency on your behalf. If you didn’t know this, your net profit calculations will be incorrect from day one. Additionally, recovering that money (if applicable) requires filing specific tax forms (Model 210) that many standard managers are unaware of.
Changing Taxes
The regulations are fluid. For example, in Catalonia, the Property Transfer Tax (ITP) for 2025 introduces progressive brackets that penalize high-value purchases (over €600,000) and punish speculation. Ignoring these changes can inflate your budget by tens of thousands of euros.
The End of the Golden Visa
With the recent repeal of residence visas for real estate investment, the strategy for non-EU investors has changed radically. Buying is no longer enough; now residency must be planned through other channels (Digital Nomad, Highly Qualified Professional).
Our Solution: “Legal Simplicity” At GRÀCIACALBET, we apply our philosophy of legal simplicity so that physical distance becomes irrelevant. We are not just lawyers; we are your operational office in Spain.
How do we make it easier?
Power of Attorney
We draft a specific power of attorney (bilingual if necessary) that you can sign in your country of residence. With this document, our team can sign the deposit agreements, the public deed, and the utility contracts on your behalf. You don’t travel; we sign.
Comprehensive NIE and Banking Management
We handle obtaining the NIE through power of attorney and coordinate with banks that accept non-resident clients (international compliance), unlocking financial operations.
Fiscal Representation (Models 210/211)
We don’t just settle the purchase and sale taxes. If you sell, we manage the refund of that 3% withheld if the actual capital gain is lower than what the Tax Agency retained provisionally.
Real Estate Due Diligence
Before you transfer a single euro, we audit the property. We check for encumbrances in the Land Registry, outstanding IBI taxes, and hidden urban planning issues (such as denied tourist licenses), protecting your investment from minute zero.
GRACIACALBET "LEGAL SIMPLICITY"
Operating in the Spanish real estate market from abroad doesn’t have to be a bureaucratic odyssey. With the right support, it becomes a safe and predictable process.
At GRÀCIACALBET, we combine the strength of a law firm with the operational efficiency of an expert management office. If you are thinking of buying or selling, leave the paperwork to us and keep only the profitability.
