Conveyancing · Almería & Murcia
Peace of mind,
every step of the way.
Conveyancing Lawyers in Almería and Murcia
If you are planning to buy or sell a property in Almería or Murcia, we will guide you through the entire process until the property is registered at the Land Registry. We are English-speaking Spanish lawyers based in Vera, Almería, and we work with international clients every day. Your case is handled in English or Spanish, including all correspondence and clear explanations of Spanish legal documents.
What we do
For more than 20 years we have guided international buyers and sellers. We always provide a clear written quote before any work starts, and a fully itemised invoice at the end.
We represent your interests, not the seller’s and not the estate agent’s. The notary witnesses the signing of the deed but does not check for debts, illegal building work or boundary issues. As your solicitors we:
- Verify the legal and urban status of the property, so that there are no unexpected mortgages or encumbrances and that the necessary licences are in place.
- Draft and supervise contracts and deposit agreements, and prepare every document for the title deed signing.
- Handle the payment of the taxes related to the purchase or sale.
- Accompany you at the notary, or represent you by power of attorney, and register the deed.
- Help with the essentials afterwards: utilities, direct debits, a Spanish bank account, and your NIE number or residence certificate.
We also review planning and land questions: the land classification, planning regulations and licences of first occupation, and we handle regularisation where needed. If the purchase involves a mortgage or another financial agreement, we can advise on that too.
How buying a property in Spain works
There is no fixed legal timeframe, but a typical purchase takes roughly 6 to 12 weeks from reservation to completion. It usually starts with a reservation agreement, followed within a few weeks by the private deposit contract, and then completion at the notary once due diligence and any mortgage are in place. Cash purchases with no complications tend to move faster. We will give you a realistic timeline once we know your case.
- Tell us about the property. Share the details through our contact form or by phone. We send a written quote before any work starts.
- Reservation. Many purchases start with a reservation that takes the property off the market for a short time while checks begin. A reservation is not the same as the later deposit contract.
- Legal and planning checks. We verify title, charges, licences and the urban planning position. In Andalucía a property should normally have a Licence of First Occupation, a valid Declaration of Responsibility for Occupation or, in some cases, an AFO/DAFO certificate if it is older or has planning irregularities. Missing papers can affect utilities, a mortgage, resale or tourist rental licensing. We review the position before completion so you can decide whether to proceed, renegotiate or ask the seller to regularise the situation.
- The contrato de arras. This is the private deposit contract signed after reservation, typically with a 10% deposit, and it legally commits both sides to completing the sale. Under the most common form, if the buyer withdraws without justified cause they forfeit the deposit, and if the seller withdraws they must return double the deposit. Other versions exist, and the exact wording decides your rights, so we confirm which type you are signing before you commit.
- NIE and banking. The NIE is the identification number every foreigner needs for legal and tax matters in Spain, including buying a property, opening a bank account or paying taxes. It is issued for life and does not expire. We arrange NIE numbers as part of the conveyancing process. An NIE is not strictly compulsory in order to buy, but it is required to register the property at the Land Registry.
- Completion at the notary. We prepare every document for the title deed (escritura). You can attend, or grant us a special power of attorney so we can sign on your behalf.
- Taxes, registration and settling in. We calculate the taxes and costs in writing before you commit, arrange payment and register the deed. We then help with utilities, direct debits and the other essentials.
In general terms, a resale purchase in Andalucía currently carries 7% transfer tax, plus roughly €1,600 of notary and Land Registry fees. A new-build property bought from a developer instead carries 10% VAT plus 1.2% stamp duty. We calculate the exact taxes and costs for your purchase in writing before you commit.
How selling a property works
If you are selling, we review and manage the transaction through to completion, including the contracts and the tax payments. Non-resident sellers currently pay capital gains tax on the profit between the purchase price and the sale price. At completion, Spanish law requires the buyer to withhold 3% of the sale price and pay it directly to the tax office as an advance against your bill. You then have up to four months to file your own return, paying any balance due or reclaiming any excess withheld. Every seller must also make the plusvalía municipal declaration. We handle this whole process.
Other typical seller costs can include mortgage cancellation at the notary and Land Registry, any early-cancellation fee in the mortgage deed, and estate agency fees. We explain these in more detail in our guide to the costs of selling a property in Spain.
What our checks include
- Ownership and charges: who owns the property and whether there are mortgages, embargoes or other encumbrances.
- Planning status and licences, including the licence of first occupation and, where relevant, an AFO/DAFO or other regularisation document.
- Contracts and deposit agreements, including the withdrawal clause and any conditions you need, such as a mortgage or your NIE.
- A written calculation of taxes and costs before you commit.
- Preparation of every document for the title deed, attendance or representation at the notary, tax payments and Land Registry filing.
If the property is offered «as is» or «como cuerpo cierto», it is sold on its physical state rather than on exact measurements. That does not remove the seller’s liability for hidden defects. We explain what this means, and what to check before you sign, in our guide to «as is» purchases and hidden defects.
Related reading, if it applies to your case: the contrato de arras, NIE, residence certificate and padrón, bare ownership with lifetime usufruct and buying with cryptocurrency.
Who this is for
This page is for international buyers and sellers, including non-residents who cannot travel to Spain for every appointment. By granting us a special power of attorney, we can apply for your NIE, sign the deposit contract and complete at the notary, pay taxes and register the property on your behalf. Many of our international clients buy or sell entirely from abroad, signing the power of attorney locally before a notary and having it apostilled.
We work with you in English or Spanish. You can call, email or visit us in Vera, Almería.
Areas we cover
Our office is at C/ Villar nº 6, ground floor, local C, 04620 Vera, Almería. Almería and Murcia are our core areas. In Almería we regularly help clients with homes in places such as Vera, Mojácar and the Almanzora valley.
We also take conveyancing matters in Alicante and Málaga.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to buy a property in Spain?
It is not legally compulsory, but it is strongly recommended. The notary witnesses the signing of the deed but does not check for debts, illegal building work or boundary issues, and the estate agent works for the seller, not for you. As solicitors, we represent only your interests: checking the title, taxes and licences, and making sure the contracts protect you throughout the purchase.
Can I buy or sell a property in Spain without travelling?
Yes. By granting us a special power of attorney, we can apply for your NIE, sign the deposit contract and complete at the notary, pay taxes and register the property on your behalf. Many international clients buy or sell entirely from abroad, signing the power of attorney locally before a notary and having it apostilled.
What is a contrato de arras, and what if someone pulls out?
The contrato de arras is the private contract signed after reservation, typically with a 10% deposit, and it legally commits both sides to completing the sale. Under the most common form (arras penitenciales), if the buyer withdraws without justified cause they forfeit the deposit, and if the seller withdraws they must return double the deposit. The word «arras» alone does not decide this: the exact clause does. We always confirm which type you are signing before you commit. More detail: https://mtsolicitors.com/contrato-de-arras-spain-property-deposit-explained/
What taxes and costs are involved in buying a property in Almería?
In general terms, a resale purchase in Andalucía currently carries 7% transfer tax, plus roughly €1,600 of notary and Land Registry fees. A new-build bought from a developer instead carries 10% VAT plus 1.2% stamp duty. We calculate the exact taxes and costs for your purchase in writing before you commit.
What tax do I pay when selling as a non-resident?
Non-resident sellers currently pay capital gains tax on the profit. At completion the buyer must withhold 3% of the sale price and pay it to the tax office as an advance. You then have up to four months to file your own return, paying any balance or reclaiming any excess. We also handle the plusvalía municipal declaration that every seller must make. Guide: https://mtsolicitors.com/sellers-costs-when-selling-a-property-in-spain/
What is an NIE, and do I need the padrón to get one?
The NIE is the foreigner’s identification number in Spain and your tax number for dealings with the tax office. It can be obtained at a police foreign office or through a Spanish consulate, in person or through a representative with a power of attorney. We arrange NIE numbers as part of conveyancing. The padrón is a separate town-hall registration. It is not an identification document and it does not by itself prove Spanish residency. If you are not a tax resident in Spain, you should be careful about registering on the padrón, because it can be treated as evidence of residence.
Talk to us about your purchase or sale
Tell us briefly about the property through the contact form on our homepage and we will send you a detailed estimate, without obligation. We reply within one business day. Your details are only used to answer your enquiry.
Office: (+34) 950 391 460. Sara: (+34) 637 293 937, sara@mtsolicitors.com. Paloma: (+34) 667 772 929, paloma@mtsolicitors.com. C/ Villar nº 6, ground floor, local C, 04620 Vera, Almería (Spain).
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