Can Russian Citizens Still Buy Property in Spain?
✅ Yes, Russian citizens can legally purchase property in Spain — despite global sanctions and geopolitical tension.
However, Spanish banks and notaries apply additional checks for Russian nationals. You’ll need to follow all anti-money laundering procedures and show transparent, legal sources of funds.
🛑 Buying real estate does not grant residency. Spain has abolished the Golden Visa for property investment.
📋 Legal Steps to Buy Property in Spain
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Obtain a Spanish NIE number (tax ID) |
| 2️⃣ | Open a Spanish bank account |
| 3️⃣ | Hire a lawyer for due diligence |
| 4️⃣ | Sign the private purchase contract (contrato de arras) |
| 5️⃣ | Complete full legal checks |
| 6️⃣ | Sign the public deed (escritura) before a Spanish notary |
| 7️⃣ | Register the property in your name |
✅ At Borderless Lawyers, we handle all of these steps — including remote purchases via Power of Attorney.
📄 Documents You’ll Need
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid Russian passport | Must be valid for the entire process |
| NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) | Mandatory for taxes and land registry |
| Proof of income and source of funds | Bank transfers from Russia or EU banks |
| Translations | Official translations of Russian documents into Spanish |
| Apostilles | Required on official Russian documents |
| POA (optional) | Enables remote signing of all contracts |
✅ All documents must be fully compliant with Spanish anti-money laundering laws.
🧾 Property Purchase Taxes for Russian Buyers
| Tax/Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Tax (ITP) – resale homes | 6%–10% |
| VAT (IVA) + Stamp Duty (AJD) – new builds | 10% + 1–1.5% |
| Notary Fees | ~€600–€1,200 |
| Land Registry Fees | ~0.2%–0.5% |
| Legal Fees | ~1% of property price |
| Annual Property Tax (IBI) | Based on property location and value |
📌 We provide a full breakdown before any payment, so you know your total costs.
🏘️ What Types of Property Are Russians Buying?
| Type | Popular Locations |
|---|---|
| City apartments | Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia |
| Coastal villas | Marbella, Alicante, Málaga, Costa Blanca |
| Investment flats | Near universities or tourist areas |
| Retirement homes | Andalusia, Canary Islands |
Many Russian clients also invest for their children’s future studies or second citizenship planning.
⚠️ Are There Sanctions or Banking Restrictions?
Yes — but they can often be navigated legally with proper planning.
Common issues Russian buyers face:
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❌ Some Spanish banks refuse non-EU clients from Russia
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🕵️♀️ Source of funds must be clearly documented
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💼 Transactions over €100,000 are highly scrutinized
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🔒 Some high-risk buyers may face rejection at the notary stage
✅ Solution: Work with a lawyer who knows how to pass compliance, manage funds legally, and avoid blocked transactions.
We coordinate with friendly Spanish banks, handle compliance documentation, and advise on risk mitigation.
🧑💼 Can I Buy Property Without Coming to Spain?
Yes. You can legally purchase a home in Spain remotely from Russia or abroad using a Power of Attorney (POA).
Here’s how:
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You grant POA to our lawyers (in Spain or through a Spanish consulate)
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We:
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Apply for your NIE
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Open a bank account (if possible)
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Review contracts
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Sign deeds
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Register the purchase
-
-
You receive full ownership and documents by secure courier or email
✅ Ideal for buyers not ready to travel or facing visa delays.
❌ Mistakes Russian Buyers Should Avoid
| Mistake | Risk |
|---|---|
| Relying only on a real estate agent | Agents work for sellers — not for you |
| Paying deposits before legal checks | May lose money if property has debt |
| Not understanding Spain’s tax rules | Leads to surprise tax bills |
| Assuming property = residency | No longer true after Golden Visa ended |
| Using non-compliant Russian banks | Payment may be blocked or flagged |
✅ Our lawyers protect your interests at every step and block bad deals before money is lost.
👩⚖️ How Borderless Lawyers Helps Russian Clients
✔️ Legal due diligence in English and Russian
✔️ NIE application, bank account, and tax registration
✔️ Coordination with estate agents, notaries, and banks
✔️ Secure POA process for remote buyers
✔️ Legal purchase reviews before deposit
✔️ After-sale support (IBI, community fees, resale or inheritance planning)
We speak your language — and protect your property investment.
📞 Call to Action
Thinking about buying property in Spain from Russia?
Let us help you purchase securely, legally, and with confidence — whether you’re in Moscow, Dubai, or already in Europe.