Spanish legal and conveyancing for international buyers, handled end to end
Independent lawyers who check the property, review every contract and complete the purchase for you, anywhere in Spain. Buying abroad is daunting, so we make it feel handled.
or call us on +34 951 822 857
Three reasons international buyers trust us with the legal side
independent, always
We act for you, and only you
Foxes takes no commission from agents or sellers for steering a purchase. The advice you get is yours alone, which matters most when something needs to be flagged before you commit.
on the property and seller
Problems found before the money moves
Title, debts, licences, taxes, boundaries and building standards, all checked before you sign the private contract. You get a written legal report first, while it is still easy and cheap to walk away.
purchases since 2015
A track record you can lean on
Over a decade and more than 500 completed purchases. We have seen what catches buyers out, do the hard, detailed work behind the scenes, and keep you protected at every step, from the first search through to completing the purchase and receiving the keys.
One team for the whole legal side
From the first searches to your Spanish will, everything the legal side of owning property in Spain involves, handled in plain English.
Property conveyancing
The full purchase: searches, contracts, completion before the notary, and registration in your name.
Due diligence
Title, debts, licences, taxes and boundaries checked before you pay a deposit, with a written report.
NIE number
The Spanish tax ID every foreign buyer needs. We apply for it on your behalf.
Power of attorney
Lets us sign on your behalf, so you do not have to fly out to complete the purchase.
Spanish wills
A will covering your Spanish assets, making inheritance far simpler for your family. Drafted and registered.
Translation & liaison
We translate the contracts and documents and coordinate with the agents, the bank and the notary on your behalf.
How the legal process works
From the first checks to the keys, we manage each step and keep you informed in plain English. Tap any stage, or pause, to read at your own pace.
Reservation
A reservation contract takes the property off the market and fixes the price while we get started. You pay a small holding deposit, usually a few thousand euros, and it is normally refundable if our checks uncover a problem within the reservation period. It buys you the time to do the legal work properly, before committing serious money.
Searches and legal report
This is the heart of the work. We confirm ownership and title at the Land Registry, check for any debts, mortgages or charges on the property, make sure the licences and planning are in order, and that community fees, local rates (IBI) and utilities are paid up to date. You then receive a clear written report, so you decide with the full picture in front of you.
Arras, the private purchase contract
The contrato de arras is a private contract that binds both you and the seller to the sale on agreed terms, and you pay a deposit, usually around 10%. It protects you: if the seller pulls out they normally repay double the deposit, and if you withdraw you forfeit it. We draft or review and negotiate this contract so the terms work in your favour.
Getting ready to sign
Between the arras and completion we line everything up: your NIE, a Spanish bank account and the funds for completion, the mortgage offer if you are using finance, and the draft title deed agreed with the notary. We check every condition is met and book the signing date, so completion day is smooth and predictable.
Completing the purchase
The sale completes before a notary. You sign the title deed (the escritura de compraventa) and pay the balance, with the mortgage deed signed at the same time if you are buying with finance. If you would rather not travel, and we hold power of attorney, we sign on your behalf. The notary notifies the Land Registry straight away.
The keys are yours
We register the property in your name at the Land Registry, settle the transfer tax and stamp duty, and help move the utilities, community and local rates (IBI) into your name. We hand you the full set of documents, and the keys, so all that is left is to enjoy your new place in Spain.
What buying in Spain really costs
The asking price is only part of it. On top you pay the purchase tax, plus notary, land registry and legal fees. The calculator shows the full picture for your purchase, set by your region and whether it is a resale or a new build.
- Transfer tax (ITP) on resales, or VAT plus stamp duty on new builds
- Notary and land registry fees, on the official regulated scales
- Gestoría (administration) fees
- A clear total, and what it works out as a percentage of the price
An indicative estimate, not tax advice. Our legal team handles all of these for you as part of your purchase. Regulated by the Madrid & Málaga Colegio de Abogados.
Estimated purchase costs
€38,400
About 12.8% of your purchase price
- Transfer tax (ITP 7%) €21,000
- Notary €600
- Land registry €450
- Gestoria €400
Indicative estimate of purchase costs. Tax rates use the standard regional positions and may not reflect reductions for primary residence, first-time buyers, large families or other circumstances. Notary and land registry fees follow the official regulated scales, which rise with the price; the figures shown are realistic estimates including typical supplements, not fixed quotes, and gestoría is shown as a typical flat fee. Excludes legal fees and any mortgage related costs (valuation, opening fees). Foxes is a credit intermediary registered with the Bank of Spain (D470), not a tax adviser.
Your whole purchase, in one dashboard
A private space where you follow your purchase in real time, keep every document together, and hear from your lawyer the moment something moves.
Your purchase
- Legal report deliveredCompleted
- Arras signed, deposit paidCompleted
- Notary completion bookedIn progress
- Registration & utilitiesUp next
Get a clear answer from a lawyer, free and without obligation
Regulated by the Madrid & Málaga Colegio de Abogados · Rapido Finance & Legal SL