Barcelona is a competitive real estate market — but rushing into a purchase without proper legal due diligence can result in costly legal issues or even invalidate the sale.
This guide explains what foreign buyers must verify before buying property in Barcelona — and how our lawyers make sure every detail is clear, legal, and risk-free.
🧠 What Is Real Estate Due Diligence?
Due diligence is the legal and technical process of verifying:
-
🧾 The legal status of the property
-
📜 Whether the seller has the right to sell
-
🧱 That the construction is legal and compliant
-
💸 That the property is free from debts, charges, or fines
We complete this review before any deposit is paid or Contrato de Arras is signed.
🧾 Key Legal Checks Before Buying in Barcelona
Here’s what we review:
1. 📘 Land Registry Report (Nota Simple)
-
Confirms legal ownership
-
Identifies mortgages, liens, or disputes
-
Details the exact square meters and registration status
2. 📊 Cadastral Record Check
-
Matches the property’s physical layout and boundaries
-
Verifies use classification (residential, commercial, tourist, etc.)
3. 📐 Urban Planning Compliance
-
Ensures the property is not affected by:
-
Urban redevelopment plans
-
Zoning restrictions
-
Illegal subdivisions or extensions
-
4. 💰 Debts & Encumbrances
-
We verify there are no outstanding utility bills, community charges, or municipal fines
-
We also check for property tax (IBI) arrears
5. 🧱 Building & Renovation Legality
-
Were extensions or renovations legally declared?
-
Are square meters declared correctly in the registry?
-
Is the building protected under historical or architectural laws?
📑 Additional Due Diligence for Apartments
When buying in a multi-unit building, we also:
-
Review community bylaws and monthly fees
-
Check for pending building works or special assessments
-
Confirm short-term rental restrictions (important in Barcelona!)
-
Verify whether a tourist license exists (if applicable)
🛑 Why Due Diligence Is Critical for Foreign Buyers
Common risks we uncover include:
-
❌ Discrepancies between advertised size and registered size
-
❌ Unregistered property improvements
-
❌ Sales conducted by heirs or non-authorized parties
-
❌ Properties located in zones with renovation bans or future expropriation
-
❌ Debt attached to the property — which buyers inherit if not disclosed!
🛡️ How Borderless Lawyers Protects Your Investment
✔️ We conduct a full legal and urban review
✔️ Provide you with a due diligence report in English (or your language)
✔️ Explain every red flag — and help you renegotiate or withdraw if needed
✔️ Represent you in person or by Power of Attorney
✔️ Ensure you sign only when the property is fully vetted
💬 Multilingual Legal Support
Our team provides due diligence in:
-
🇬🇧 English
-
🇫🇷 French
-
🇳🇱 Dutch
-
🇩🇪 German
-
🇪🇸 Spanish
📞 Ready to Buy Safely in Barcelona?
Before making a deposit or signing anything, speak to our team.