If you’re a cash buyer then that’s great news, you can skip this step. If you’re looking for an overseas mortgage, then read this guide all about getting a mortgage in Spain.

Arranging any mortgage abroad can be a daunting prospect and Spain is certainly no exception. For the uninitiated, it’s difficult to know where to start and whether information you see or receive is correct.

This is complicated by the fact that banks lending in Spain do not always offer the same conditions to clients, even if they have similar profiles. The mortgage market in Spain is quite traditional in the sense that having the right contacts is crucial if you want to get the best deals.

Non-resident mortgages (60-70%) – for non-residents who pay their taxes outside Spain, the maximum mortgage amount is 70% of the purchase price (or valuation if lower), but some banks have a maximum amount of 60%. For fiscal residents who pay Spanish taxes, the maximum mortgage is 80%.

As a general rule, most banks will lend on the following criteria:

1) Over €100,000 loan minimum LTV 70%
2) Under €100,000 loan minimum LTV 60%, minimum loan €35,000

Mortgages for retirees — If you are over age 60 and in receipt of a pension, you can still have the mortgage in your own name. It is also possible to appoint a guarantor such as a family member to secure the borrowing, which can have potential inheritance tax benefits if they are also a part-owner in the property.

Construction mortgages – for those wishing to build their own homes, banks offer construction mortgages. These are complicated to explain and you should definitely speak to a broker, but broadly-speaking you can potentially borrow 60-70% of the land and construction costs combined.

Commercial — If you are buying a property for commercial use, such as a restaurant or a shop, for example, the maximum mortgage is 50% of the price (or valuation if lower). If you intend to run a business the lenders will ask for business plans and, where applicable, accounts for any previous business operating at the premises, as well as what previous experience you have had running a similar business.

Interest rates
 — Most lenders use the annual Euribor as the base rate and then add their own margin to this, for example, “Euribor plus 2%”. Generally speaking, they require that you contract different products with them and they give discounts to the rate for taking each product. Compulsory products are usually a bank account with the bank offering the mortgage and home insurance with that bank’s chosen insurer. In many cases, life insurance with the bank’s chosen insurer is also compulsory.

By using one of our recommended brokers they can secure a much lower rate than if you go direct to a bank. Where a bank may offer rates as high as Euribor + 3.5% if you go direct, our brokers can achieve Euribor + 1.5 — 2.5%.

Although the vast majority of mortgages are variable rate in Spain, fixed rates are becoming more popular, especially now that the Euribor is at its lowest ever level. A typical fixed rate for a 20-year term could be 2.99%, depending on the bank.

Interest-only – this is only offered for construction mortgages in Spain and, where offered, it is only for 1 or 2 years at the start of the term.

Term of mortgage – most mortgages can be arranged with terms of 25 years (for non-residents) and 30 years (for residents), usually up to a maximum age of 75. For non-residents, some banks have a maximum 20-year term.

The lenders all use what is known as a debt-to-income calculation as the basis for deciding whether applicants will qualify for a mortgage. In basic terms, this means that your monthly debt commitments, including the new mortgage, must not exceed a given percentage of your net monthly income.

The typical percentage is between 30-35%, so here is a very basic example of how the calculation works for an employed applicant whose only debt is the repayment mortgage on their main residence:

There are many other variables to take into account, but this gives a very basic idea of how the banks assess the applicants for the mortgage. Again, we strongly advise working with one of our brokers, as they have an in-depth understanding how each bank works.

The process from start to finish usually takes 6-8 weeks, but there can sometimes be delays that are outside of the control of the broker or the lender. Your broker can advise on sensible timescales for payment of deposits and timing of completion, as well as deal with any delays if they arise.

1.NOTARY FEES

Notary fees, also known as tariffs, are regulated by the state and all charge the same fee for identical services. In the case of the provision of a contract for the signing of a contract of sale, the prices range from EUR 600 to EUR 875, depending on the price of the property. For example, an apartment for 100,000 euros would cost about 850 euros, and for 250,000 euros — about 1,000 euros.

2. BUYER EXPENSES

In terms of costs and taxes when buying a new  property, the most important tax is VAT, which in the Autonomous Community of Valencia  is 10% in 2022.  For housing worth € 100,000, this would mean € 10,000 and € 250,000 for € 25,000). VAT may be 4% on the purchase of social housing, but it depends  on the  Autonomous  Community and the type of social housing concerned. A second tax must be added to the VAT: documented legislation (IAJD). This fee is still paid by the purchaser and is dependent on each Autonomous Community. In the Autonomous Community of Valencia, for example, it is 1.5%.

The transfer of non-new immovable property is also subject to a 10% transfer duty (Impuesto sobre las Transmisiones Patrimoniales).

3. REGISTRATION OF REAL ESTATE

Acts signed by a notary must be registered in the state register. Again, the fees are set by regulations and depend directly on the price of the property, and usually range from € 200 to € 650.

Also keep in mind the services of an interpreter (if you do not speak Spanish) and a tax professional, which are usually contractual.