Buying in Marbella
Buying Property in Marbella
Buyers in Marbella range from first-time apartment purchasers to buyers of large private villas. The legal steps are broadly similar; the risks and the level of scrutiny required are not.
The legal side of a purchase typically covers who owns the property, what is registered against it, whether the built structure matches its legal and planning status, what the contracts commit you to, and what taxes and costs apply.
The full guide is being written and will be published here.
An Overview of the Legal Process
While every transaction differs, buying a resale property in Marbella typically follows a similar sequence:
- Reservation — a deposit takes the property off the market. Reservation contracts
- Due diligence — ownership, charges and legal status are checked. Due diligence
- Private purchase contract — price, payments and completion terms are agreed. Purchase contracts
- Completion and registration — signing before a notary, then the Land Registry. Conveyancing
See the full Legal Purchase Timeline
Foreign buyers also need a Spanish tax identification number before completing. NIE number: what it is and how to get one
Buyers financing part of the purchase run a mortgage application alongside these steps, on terms that differ for non-residents. Mortgages for Foreign Buyers in Spain
Taxes and buying costs apply throughout this process and vary by transaction. Property Taxes in Spain
A number of issues recur often enough to be worth knowing about before viewing. See Legal Risks When Buying Property in Marbella
Buying Off-Plan or a New Development
Purchases directly from a developer follow a different structure, involving staged payments and specific guarantees. Buying Off-Plan Property in Marbella
Whether You Need a Lawyer
For a broader look at why independent legal representation matters and what it typically covers, see Do You Need a Property Lawyer When Buying in Marbella?
Reviewed by María Fernández López
Spanish Property Lawyer · 12+ Years Experience
Reviewed:
María Fernández López is a Spanish property lawyer with over 12 years of experience in real estate transactions on the Costa del Sol. She reviews guide content on this site for legal accuracy but does not represent Property Lawyer Marbella as a law firm and is not responsible for legal advice provided by independent law firms listed in the directory.
This page is general information about property law topics in Marbella. It is not legal advice, and Property Lawyer Marbella is not a law firm.