Guide to Conveyancing in Spain: What Your Lawyer Does

Conveyancing in Spain is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one party to another — and it involves far more than just signing a contract.

In this guide, we explain how a conveyancing lawyer in Spain helps you:

✅ Avoid legal risks
✅ Complete proper due diligence
✅ Ensure contracts are fair
✅ Finalize safe, tax-compliant purchases

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or investing from abroad, this guide breaks down everything you need to know.

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👩‍⚖️ What Is Conveyancing in Spain?

Conveyancing (known in Spanish as “gestión de compraventa”) refers to:

• Reviewing the sale agreement

• Verifying ownership and debts

• Ensuring the property is legal and free of problems

• Coordinating payments, signing, and registration

• Calculating and submitting taxes

💡 In Spain, notaries do not perform full buyer-side checks. Only a private real estate lawyer handles full due diligence and legal protection.

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📋 Role of a Conveyancing Lawyer in Spain

Here’s what your lawyer does during the property transfer process:

✅ Legal Title Check

• Verifies property is registered correctly

• Confirms seller has the right to sell

• Ensures no co-owners, liens, or disputes

✅ Due Diligence & Background Checks

• Searches local town hall and land registry

• Confirms there are no building violations, fines, or unpaid fees

• Reviews zoning laws and planning permissions

• Examines community rules (if in a shared building or urbanization)

👉 Read our full [Due Diligence for Property in Spain] guide.

✅ Drafting & Reviewing Contracts

• Ensures the arras contract (deposit agreement) is fair

• Drafts or modifies the final Escritura Pública (title deed)

• Adds buyer protections and contingencies

✅ Handling Deposits & Payments

• Coordinates secure bank transfers

• Handles escrow or payment via notary

• Confirms all taxes (ITP, VAT, AJD) are calculated correctly

✅ Finalizing the Sale

• Accompanies or represents you at the notary

• Signs on your behalf with Power of Attorney, if needed

• Registers the deed with the Land Registry

• Updates records with the Cadastre (Catastro)

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🕰️ Timeline: How Long Does Conveyancing Take?

On average, the conveyancing process in Spain takes:

🏠 Remote buyers may complete everything without ever visiting Spain using Power of Attorney.

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⚠️ Common Conveyancing Pitfalls in Spain

Without a qualified lawyer, you risk:

• 🧱 Buying property with illegal additions

• 💸 Taking on seller’s debts (like community fees or mortgages)

• ❌ Problems with land classification or zoning

• 🏛️ Delays at the notary or registry due to missing documents

• 🧾 Fines for incorrect or unpaid taxes

📌 Don’t rely solely on estate agents — they are not obligated to disclose legal defects.

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🗝️ Power of Attorney: A Remote Buyer’s Best Tool

Don’t live in Spain or can’t attend the notary? A lawyer can handle everything on your behalf via Power of Attorney (Poder Notarial).

This allows your conveyancing lawyer to:

• Sign contracts and deeds

• Make payments

• Submit taxes and register the property

💼 It’s a common, low-risk solution used by thousands of non-resident buyers.

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💶 Legal Fees for Conveyancing Lawyers in Spain

Typical fee structure:

Most lawyers offer fixed-fee packages that include:

• Full due diligence

• Contract review

• Notary coordination

• Tax payment handling

• Registry updates

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🏢 Work with Trusted Conveyancing Lawyers in Spain

At Borderless Lawyers, we specialize in:

✅ Safe, transparent property transfers
✅ English-speaking support for foreign buyers
✅ Remote conveyancing using Power of Attorney
✅ End-to-end guidance from offer to registration

We serve clients across:

📍 Madrid, Valencia, Málaga, Marbella, Alicante, Barcelona, and Seville

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📞 Get a Free Consultation with a Conveyancing Lawyer in Spain

Let us protect your investment and handle every legal step with clarity, speed, and security.