Looking for advice on buying a house in Spain

Ciao Fabio
I’m italian too and living in Surrey.
I have a place in Santa Cristina d’aro, Girona.
Is a lovely area, 10 minutes from the sea (Platja d’aro) and also close to the mountain for winter sports.
I love it that is very spanish with only some touristic areas, busy in the summer, the location is used as holiday destination from people living and working in Barcelona.
I recommend you spend a week or so around there to visit and have a feel.
Just over the French border, 1.30 hours from Barcelona airport, also there is an airport in girona but as far I’m aware from London there is only Ryanair.
Also north of Spain is more organised then south and also safer, I have two teenagers and they go around by themselves... would never allow that in Marbella for example.. I have friends there and what I witnessed is not nice...
This is obviously my experience..
Oh! Forgot to say we’re relocating there in April 😊

I bought 3 years ago via English-speaking estate agents who hooked me up with a reputable (expensive) lawyer to handle the whole thing plus get my NIE: also they introduced me to one of the local bank managers to open an account and make funds transfer. Good estate agents can generally iron out wrinkles to make the whole thing fairly straightforward because there are definitely occasional hiccups and there can be beartraps.

I'm in the Costa Tropical area, in Granada province, with a small airport in Granada, Almeria airport not too far, and Malaga airport, one of the biggest with the most flight options, is around 80 kms, an hour's drive. The coast is fab (between Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca) with mild weather, small coastal towns and Motril for city-type needs. Granada city and the Sierra Nevada with great skiing in winter. 

I knew the area because of friends here, I've now travelled around a bit more and wouldn't move if I could, but some areas are MUCH nicer than others without necessarily being fantastically more expensive. The advice to take your time looking around is solid.

Hi
As an EU member, there are no restrictions when buying property in spain. I’ve been in real estate for over 20 years and still think that spain is one of the best values around. If you are looking a bit inland, the prices are very inexpensive. I would recommend buying in spain to anyone looking for value, nice lifestyle and low cost of living.  I can assist you with pleasure if needed. I’ll be moving there full time in July, 2021.
Keep in touch. Cheers

I do not think there are any restrictions for anyone buying property in Spain, however, i would certainly not advise a non EU national doing so, and even then caution is required. 

Having lived in Spain 34 years I have seen many ‘fingers burned.’

Johncar, Could i ask what are some of the main issues you would you warn a non-EU potential buyer about?

I have been reading How To Buy SpanishProperty and Move To Spain … Safely, by Nick Snelling, but i am interested in the personal experiences people have had.  Is your warning due to taxes? Or the idiosyncrasies around Spanish property? Or ???. 

We plan on renting for a couple years before jumping to ownership (if ever), but it is on the table.

I bought a great apartment in 2014 and I would be able to assist you in all of the details concerning your real estate project.  From opening a bank account to workers for remodeling, if needed, etc...
My WhatsApp number is :  ***.  Message me at your convenience for a chat!!
Cheers,
Lmf

By the way, taxes are very low in Spain, maintenance fees are also very low.
Lmf

@Rextravis Hi, I'm living in Barcelona (renting) looking to buy. My budget is around 80k which as you know is way to low for Barcelona but i was thinking of buying somewhere else in Spain and letting it out. Would this be straightforward to do without living there? Any advice would be much appreciated

Sure, you could buy it and rent it out.  If you go to the villages within 40-60 kms from Barcelona, you could buy a small place for 80000$. 
I bought my home in Arenys de Mar and it was the best investment I ever made.  Also, I’m only 40 kms from Barcelona which is a 55 minute train ride to the city center, really convenient!
Keep in touch, depending on where you buy, I could assist you with the purchase, if necessary...
Regards,
Lex

Bonjour
Je souhaiterais acheter une maison en Andalousie. Quelqu'un peut-il me conseiller sur une personne de confiance pour m'aider dans mes démarches ?

J’ai acheté en Catalunya, pres de Barcelone . Mon agent immobilier parles le français car sa femme est francaise. Il pourrait peut être vous conseiller sur les détails...
Cdt,
Lmf

I could help you with the rental details on a purchase in Catalunya, where I live.
Cheers.
Lmf

@Rextravis Hi, I'm living in Barcelona (renting) looking to buy. My budget is around 80k which as you know is way to low for Barcelona but i was thinking of buying somewhere else in Spain and letting it out. Would this be straightforward to do without living there? Any advice would be much appreciated

- @tacochina

Hi, If you still interested at it, and tropical coast of Granda is an option for you, do not hesitate in contact to me ***

(we can also speak in italian if you want)

@fabio_bonomo

habitaclia.com

check in the Tarragona region, many great deals inland but close to the sea and airports.  If you like a fixer upper or a ready ro

move Into, tarragona is a good place to buy

We are thinking of looking for property as a vacation rental for 150,000 or less in Seville, Rota area? Living in US. Totally new to this and your experiences would be so helpful.  Not ready to hire lawyer or realestate agent at this point.  Still in conversation.

@fabio_bonomo Hi Fabio, the location will really depend on your budget. How much are you looking to spend?

@fabio_bonomo Do you still have your Italian passport? If so then there are no restrictions on you purchasing and staying here in Spain.

@maryanntrautman

i have purchased  2 apartments near Barcelona and I live in one and rent the other.  It isn’t complicated with an EU passport and if you pay cash, the entire buying process takes around one week.  As long as the notari doesn’t challenge anything concerning the property you buy and he signs off on it, there isn’t any way to get frauded out of the deal. 

ive been in real estate for 30 years and there are always exceptional properties for sale just about everywhere.  I’m always on the lookout for properties to invest in here in Spain.

cheers

Lex

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Only catch is you need a EU Passport? What about those who don't have one?

@rogerroberts22

You don't need to be an EU citizen to purchase property in Spain. As far as I'm aware, it's open to any nationality, including British.

You do need your NIE (id number, Número de Identidad de Extranjero), but this is fairly easy to get (in Spain or at a Spanish consulate).

While buying a property is fairly straightforward, you might want to consider how much time you can spend in it. With a UK passport you can visit Spain visa-free for up to 90 days in 180 (i.e. up to 6 months per year, but not in one chunk). To stay longer / live indefinitely in Spain, you need an EU passport (and EU Citizen Registration) or some kind of residence visa (such as the NLV, No Lucrativa Visa).

    Only catch is you need a EU Passport? What about those who don't have one?
   

    -@rogerroberts22

No you don't need an EU passport to buy property in Spain, any foreign citizen can purchase.

@fabio_bonomo

Hi there,

That sounds like a wonderful plan — Spain offers plenty of options that match what you’re looking for.

Here are a few areas worth considering based on your criteria:

Alicante province: coastal towns like Jávea, Moraira, or Altea are within 1 hour of the airport, have charming villages, and good infrastructure.

Málaga province (Costa del Sol): places like Mijas, Benalmádena, or Nerja offer great access to the sea, an international community, and direct flights from Málaga Airport.

Granada coast (Costa Tropical): towns like Salobreña or Almuñécar have a quieter vibe, but still within reach of an airport.

As an EU citizen, you have the same right to buy property in Spain as Spanish nationals — there are no ownership restrictions.

What you should be aware of are the legal and financial steps of the buying process: ensuring the property is debt-free, understanding taxes (ITP, Notary, Land Registry), and, if you’re financing, how Spanish banks handle mortgages for foreign buyers.

You can find a clear overview of the full property purchase process for international buyers — including legal checks and mortgage options — in this guide:

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It’s designed for non-residents and explains everything step by step, so you can move forward confidently when you start viewing properties.

Best of luck with your search — both Alicante and Málaga could fit your dream home perfectly!