Guide

Due Diligence When Buying Property in Spain

Due diligence is the set of checks carried out before you commit — the stage where problems are most easily and cheaply addressed.

A property lawyer reviewing property documents with a client during the due diligence process for buying property in Spain

Due diligence typically takes place after a reservation is signed but before the private purchase contract — the findings often shape what that contract needs to address. See the stages of a property purchase.

What Due Diligence Commonly Covers

Use this interactive checklist to track the key checks before committing.

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Ownership and registered title. Confirming who legally owns the property and their right to sell it.
Charges and debts. Mortgages, embargoes, or community fees attached to the property.
Community of owners status. Outstanding fees or disputes within the community, where applicable.
Planning and licence position. Whether the property has the correct licences for its use.
Physical match to legal description. Whether what's built matches what's registered, including any extensions or alterations.

Findings from due diligence often directly affect the terms of the private purchase contract, including price, conditions, or whether to proceed at all. Private Purchase Contracts Explained

María Fernández López, Spanish property lawyer reviewing guide content for Property Lawyer Marbella

Reviewed by María Fernández López

Spanish Property Lawyer · 12+ Years Experience

Reviewed: 19 August 2026

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.