Buying real estate in Spain is more than fulfilling a dream of living by the sea — it's a serious legal and financial process, especially if you're not a permanent resident. How do you choose the right area? What taxes and additional costs should you consider? Is it possible to get a mortgage without residency? This comprehensive guide answers all those questions, with expert commentary by Ruslan Gavrilov, CEO of GG Group Barcelona.
If you're considering buying a house or apartment in Spain, begin with your goal: do you plan to relocate, rent out, or invest for capital growth?
Once you’ve set your goal, the next step is choosing the region. Spain offers much more than just Barcelona or Madrid. There are countless coastal and inland areas, each with its own features and price levels.
Still, Barcelona and its surroundings remain among the most popular locations for foreigners, thanks to the combination of urban infrastructure, coastal access, and strong transport connections. This region offers a wide range of properties, so understanding which districts align with your objectives is crucial.
Popular areas in and around Barcelona:
Coastal regions also worth considering:
Avoid focusing solely on price. Some districts — like La Mina in Sant Adrià de Besòs or Zona Franca — may appear attractive but lack in safety, infrastructure, and overall quality. These issues exist in every region, so it’s crucial to research the neighborhood, not just rely on low prices.
"We always recommend analyzing the neighborhood — infrastructure, development potential, and social context. That’s much more important than the asking price," says Ruslan Gavrilov, CEO of GG Group Barcelona.
Buying real estate in Spain involves multiple professionals: agents, lawyers, notaries, tax advisors, and bank managers. For foreigners, this process is more complex and requires full-service guidance.
Why foreigners need a different approach:
International transactions often require:
Preferably, all services should be available in English
Why not all agencies are suitable:
Most agencies in Spain focus on the local market and use a basic “show and sell” model, which lacks international transaction support. This requires consulting experience and a larger team.
Choose a firm with:
"Personally, I don’t recommend working with freelancers from social media, even if they have an API license. They’re often solo agents who can’t provide full support, especially with property management. It’s safer to work with an established agency with a professional site, licensed staff, and proven experience," — Ruslan Gavrilov.
Expect to pay an additional 12–15% on top of the property price. Main costs:
New Builds:
Resale Properties:
Plots sold by legal entities:
Other Costs:
"As of June 2025, Catalonia has raised ITP rates, especially for deals over €600K and for owners with 5+ properties — up to 20%" — Ruslan Gavrilov.
A good lawyer is essential. Our team includes specialized lawyers and tax experts experienced in international property deals in Spain.
We never outsource legal matters or proceed without full legal support — that’s our principle.
Services include:
We also consult on deal structuring and taxes to help optimize your costs.
Yes, banks in Spain offer mortgages to non-residents:
"One of our foreign clients with a residency permit has just recently secured a mortgage for a villa on the Costa Brava — it’s absolutely possible with the right guidance and legal support." — Ruslan Gavrilov
Looking for rental income? Consider:
GG Real Estate can source assets with 4–6% annual yield and build a financial model based on your investor profile.
Can’t find the perfect home? Build it.
GG Real Estate offers full “plot-to-key” services under your supervision:
Our team includes architects, engineers, designers, project managers, and material specialists. We also offer a showroom with finishes, furniture, and fixtures from Spain and Italy.
You’ll see your future home in advance and know your budget upfront. Transparent budgeting, regular updates, and Russian-language support included.
Spain consistently ranks among Europe’s most attractive countries for real estate investment, thanks to its mix of comfort, legal security, and growth potential:
Investing in Spanish real estate gives you a liquid asset and access to a safe, stable, high-quality environment for living, vacationing, or earning income.
👉 Contact us to access our private database of residential and commercial properties in Spain. We’ll match a solution to your profile — for life, leisure, investment, or income.
GG Real Estate Barcelona — your trusted property expert in Spain.
