Property in Spain

Depending on whereabouts you want to live and how much you are willing to pay, property in Spain is relatively easy to organise and finding a suitable flat or house shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Due to the current state of the Spanish economy, house prices and rents are at a low point and there is never a shortage of newly vacant places coming available depending on your desired location. Whether you want to live in the middle of a large city or dream of the perfect sea view, taking your time and settling for what you need rather than what is easy will ensure that your move works out exactly the way you planned it, no matter how long you plan on staying in Spain.

Buying

There are a number of options available when it comes to property in Spain although availability depends on your desired location, for example buying a villa with pool isn’t going to be a particularly easy feat in the centre of Madrid. On the other hand, expatriates from all over the world successfully purchase and move in to new builds all over Spain every day and finding or building that perfect getaway has never been easier.

Something you must ensure is that you do not make any rushed decisions that could lead to failure in the long-term. Getting yourself a lawyer and having any paperwork and plans checked over before signing anything can make the difference between a successful move and a nightmare; it’s always better to be too prepared. It’s also essential that you know what you want before you start to make offers on property to avoid rushing into anything. Location, price and need are the primary factors that you should consider when you begin your search as these are going to have the biggest impact in the long run. Knowing how long you plan to stay in the country each year, how much you are willing to pay and how good transport links are to the nearest town or beach will be vital when you begin to consider possible properties and this is something that you should keep in mind at all times.

Renting

Renting is becoming ever-increasingly popular across Europe, especially in the larger cities and capitals. In Spain this is no different and depending on your location, renting will be your best bet when you first arrive in the country, mainly because there is so much choice. From studio apartments to student flat share, there is something out there to suit everyone no matter how long you plan on staying there for. The easiest way to secure the perfect apartment is to browse online first and get in contact with a few landlords before you even arrive in the country. Websites such as www.easypiso.com and www.idealista.com advertise the largest selection of rooms and apartments available to rent depending on your location and desires allowing you to find the perfect match.

Mortgages

Over the past few years Spain has become one of the easiest places to secure a mortgage for British buyers meaning that the process is almost as simple as it would be back home. A number of the largest, international banks offer specialist Spanish mortgages to foreign buyers and have a lot of experience in dealing with customers from all over Europe so you know that you’ll be in safe hands! Some of the best banks offering this service include Santander, Halifax, Barclays and Lloyds TSB.
Additionally, most of the larger banks in Spain also sell mortgages to foreign buyers but it is vital that you shop around and get quotes from both international and Spanish banks in order to find the best deal for you.

As with most other official processes in Spain, in order to apply for a mortgage you will require copies of many different types of documentation before you are able to proceed. Therefore it is advised that you have all the appropriate information (such as passport, NIE, P60, bank statements etc.) on hand should you find the perfect deal.

Getting there

If you’re planning on moving to Spain for good, getting there might be one of your main concerns, especially if you’re taking a family or a large portion of your life with you. Transport can be confusing and stressful but it doesn’t have to be; being organised and prepared well in advance can make those first few weeks of transition that much easier especially if you’re travelling a long way to get there. Shipping can be expensive but worth the price overall if it means that you and your belongings arrive safely and there are a number of options available to you.

Searching for a shipping company online is the best way to get an idea of the cost of transporting your goods to Spain. Although companies such as UPS are both reliable and efficient, they can end up being quite expensive, especially when the volume of your possessions to be shipped is high. Alternatively there are a great number of companies who specialise in moving abroad and are possibly the easiest way to keep your belongings organised and on track.

If you have yet to find property, it’s advisable that you make a one-off trip to Spain to carry out viewings before making the move. It’s not uncommon for families to arrive in Spain only to find that the house they have paid for doesn’t quite live up to their expectations. Of course this is the worst case scenario but it’s always better to see your property in person before you hand over any money or make any solid plans.