Area of expertise
Property Acquisition and Property Law
Due diligence, contracts and legal support for your property purchase in Spain.
Tailored advice at every stage of your project, in English, Spanish, French, Russian, German or Arabic.
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Legal expertise to secure your property purchase in Valencia and across Spain
Buying property in Spain, investing in real estate in Valencia, acquiring a second home on the Costa Blanca: the Spanish property market attracts thousands of French buyers every year. But buying property abroad carries legal, tax and administrative risks that must be properly managed.
Delaguía y Luzón, with offices in Valencia and Mulhouse, supports individuals and investors through all their property acquisitions in Spain. Our expertise in Spanish real estate law guarantees full due diligence, secure contracts and complete support through to registration with the Land Registry. We also advise on the Golden Visa (residency through property investment) and optimise the taxation of your purchase.
Checking encumbrances before the purchase
Buying property in Valencia carries significant legal risks (20% of properties have defects: mortgages, seizures, debts). A specialised lawyer is essential to check the encumbrances registered with the Land Registry.
The key document is the Nota Simple, which the lawyer analyses to detect hidden issues (residual mortgages, easements). They also obtain certificates of no debt (IBI property tax, community charges), whose unpaid amounts are transferred to the buyer.
If problematic charges are found, the lawyer negotiates their cancellation, a price adjustment, or advises against the transaction.
Before buying a property
- Valencia, an ideal city. Valencia, the third-largest city in Spain after Madrid and Barcelona, is a strategic choice for any property investment. It charms both for its tourist appeal and its architecture. Valencia offers a rental opportunity, but also the possibility of acquiring a second home.
- Legal compliance. At Delaguía y Luzón, we put the expertise of our experienced lawyers and legal advisers at your disposal. We are here to help, whether you are looking at foreign investment in Spain, Spanish investment abroad, or commercial premises in Spain.
Property acquisitions are carried out in accordance with current legislation on urban planning contracts and taxation. It is also our responsibility to anticipate any problem that may arise.
That is why we advise you on the following steps prior to the acquisition:
This list is not exhaustive, and we tailor the checks and legal steps to your property and your personal situation.
After buying a property
Anticipating potential problems — Our approach is based on our ability to adapt to challenges, whether expected or unexpected.
For instance, during the 2020 pandemic, we were able to quickly resolve the question of applying the "rebus sic stantibus" clause to rental contracts in an exceptional context.
Likewise, we can confirm that foreseeable issues raised by a property project are already taken into account by our team. They are handled just as quickly as unforeseen problems.
From drafting rental contracts to disputes — If you plan to rent out your property, be aware that drafting a rental contract is not straightforward.
Drafting it requires technical skills, both in terms of legal compliance and judicial interpretation. With over 25 years of experience, each of our lawyers is equipped to deal with any misinterpretation or abuse by a judge or the other party.
The services we offer are designed to provide comprehensive, end-to-end support.
After purchasing a property, we offer the following services:
Support during the notarial signing
The Spanish notary is a public official who authenticates the deed of sale (escritura pública), guaranteeing the formal legality and identity of the parties. Unlike in France, they do not play a legal advisory role and do not check unregistered encumbrances, which makes support from a lawyer essential.
The buyer chooses the notary for signing the deed, which officially transfers ownership. The procedure involves the public reading of the document and verification of payments and documents (NIE, certificates of no debt).
The lawyer is essential to:
Costs and taxes on property acquisition in Spain
Buying property in Spain generates costs and taxes that usually represent between 11% and 13% of the price. These costs fall into two main categories.
The lawyer is essential for calculating these amounts, handling the procedures and checking for any eligibility for reductions.
Use a French-speaking lawyer to secure your purchase in Spain
Buying property in Spain is risky (20% of properties have defects: hidden mortgages, illegal constructions). Since the Spanish notary does not play an advisory role, a specialised lawyer is the buyer’s only real safeguard.
Their role is threefold:
The bilingual lawyer ensures complete follow-up through to final registration and provides tax advice to optimise the purchase. This investment (1 to 1.5% of the price) prevents potential disputes that could cost tens of thousands of euros.
Delaguía y Luzón provides total peace of mind for your property purchase in Spain, thanks to our more than 15 years of French-Spanish experience and our in-depth knowledge of the Valencia market. Our thorough due diligence (which detects 95% of defects) and our tax optimisation guarantee a smooth acquisition, made easier by bilingual communication and a network of trusted partners.
Frequently asked questions
The most common questions about "Property Acquisition and Property Law".
What are the risks of buying without a lawyer in Spain?
The risks are very high: undetected encumbrances (mortgages, seizures), illegal constructions, community debts, legal defects affecting the property. 20% of properties have a legal issue. Without professional due diligence, you risk losing your property or facing unexpected costs of tens of thousands of euros. The lawyer is your essential protection.
Can I buy in Spain without a NIE?
No, the NIE is mandatory for any property transaction in Spain. Without it, you cannot sign before a notary or register with the Land Registry. The NIE must be obtained before signing the deed of sale. Time to obtain: 2-6 weeks. We handle this for you in 3 weeks on average.
How much does buying property in Spain cost (total fees)?
The acquisition costs represent between 11 and 13% of the purchase price. For a resale property: ITP 10% (Valencia) + notary 0.3-0.5% + Land Registry 0.1-0.2% + gestoría 300-600€ + lawyer 1-1.5%. For a new-build: VAT 10% + AJD stamp duty 1.5% + similar fees. Example: a €250,000 property = around €29,000 in total fees.
Go further
Our detailed guides on "Property Acquisition and Property Law".
Mortgage Loans in SpainGetting a Spanish mortgage as a non-resident: conditions, down payment and procedures.Read the guideTaxation of Property Purchases in SpainITP, VAT, notary fees and annual taxes: what the purchase really costs.Read the guideCapital Gains on Resale of Property in SpainTaxation of the capital gain, the municipal plusvalía, and the withholding applicable to non-residents.Read the guide
Google Reviews
They recommend us
As a French national, my case was handled by an efficient Spanish lawyer, Sonia Garras Gonzales, together with a French colleague.Fast, available and effective.
★★★★★
François G.
Google Review
Excellent service. They listened to what I needed. I highly recommend this firm in Valencia.
★★★★★
Jacques Z.
Google Review
On 8/4 at 6:15pm I sent a tax-related query and the same day at 10:22pm I received a clear, precise reply addressing each of myquestions point by point. My sincere thanks to Mr Felix de Guía Muñoz for his availability and the quality of his answer.
★★★★★
Jean-Paul D.
Google Review
A very serious and responsive firm! I needed an opinion on tax residency status in Spain. They replied the next day by email with alot of detail. I recommend their seriousness and expertise 100%!
★★★★★
Sarh F.
Google Review
Responsive and professional! Our planned move to Spain this summer will undoubtedly be a success with the firm's help!
★★★★★
Sébastien L.
Google Review
Excellent contact and excellent responsiveness from the team at this well-known Valencia law firm! Worth using for the usual checkson a property purchase, your modelo 720, your tax return, your autónomo business accounting… I highly recommend this French-speaking firm!
★★★★★
Mass M.
Google Review
My first contacts with the firm's partners were excellent, clear and honest. I highly recommend the firm.
★★★★★
Eric V.
Google Review
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