Property Law
Conveyancing in Marbella
Conveyancing covers the legal work involved in transferring ownership of a property — from checks before signing anything, through contracts, to completion and registration.
In Spain, the transfer of a property usually involves a reservation stage, a private purchase contract, and completion before a notary, followed by registration at the Land Registry. Independent legal representation is separate from the estate agent and the seller.
This page looks at the transaction largely from the buyer's perspective. If you are the one selling, the legal and tax steps differ — Selling a Property in Marbella covers the seller's side specifically, including the non-resident retention.
Detailed guidance on each stage is being prepared and will be published on this page.
The Stages of a Property Transfer
- Reservation. A short document and initial deposit reserving the property, usually signed before full checks are complete. Reservation Contracts Explained
- Due diligence. Checks on ownership, charges, licences and legal status before signing anything binding. Due Diligence in Spain
- Private purchase contract. Price, payment schedule, completion date and consequences of non-completion. Private Purchase Contracts Explained
- Completion. Signature before a notary and payment of the balance.
- Registration. Recording the change of ownership at the Land Registry and transferring utilities and obligations.
Costs and taxes involved at each stage are covered separately. Property Taxes in Spain
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.