Expats Guide

Yes. A NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is a tax identification number required for any property purchase, tax payment, utility contract, or bank account in Spain — it's one of the first things you'll need regardless of nationality or residency status.
You can apply in person at a Spanish police station (Comisaría), through a Spanish consulate in your home country, or via a Power of Attorney if you can't travel before completion. Processing typically takes a few days to a few weeks depending on location and demand.
Separately, Spanish banks and notaries are required to carry out KYC (Know Your Customer) checks before opening an account or completing a purchase — this means providing proof of identity, proof of address, and a declared source of funds, in line with Spain's anti-money-laundering regulations. Having these documents ready in advance (passport, recent utility bill or bank statement, and documentation showing where your funds originate) helps avoid delays at the bank or notary stage.
We guide clients through both the NIE application and KYC documentation as part of our service, and can recommend lawyers who handle this on your behalf via Power of Attorney if needed.

No. The majority of our international clients buy as a second home, holiday property, or pure investment, and visit only seasonally — full-time residency is never a requirement to purchase or own property in Spain.
A few practical points to keep in mind:

1. Schengen visa limits — Non-EU buyers without residency can stay in Spain (and the wider Schengen area) for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. If you plan to spend more time here, you'll need to look into a longer-stay visa or residency option.
2. Remote management — Many owners manage their property remotely between visits, using a Power of Attorney for paperwork, and a local property manager or rental agency to handle maintenance, bookings, or tenants.
3. No minimum stay rule — Unlike some "golden visa" style programmes elsewhere, Spain places no minimum occupancy requirement on foreign-owned property; you can use it as much or as little as you like.

If your goal eventually shifts toward spending more time in Spain or relocating, we can point you toward the current residency options (such as the non-lucrative visa or digital nomad visa) and the immigration lawyers who handle them — but buying property itself never obligates you to live here.

Yes, and we strongly recommend it. A good lawyer will:

1. Check for outstanding debts, charges or liens on the property
2. Verify planning permissions and building licences
3. Confirm the seller's legal title and ownership history
4. Help arrange your NIE number, Spanish bank account, and Power of Attorney if you can't be present for signing
5. Review the purchase contract and title deed (escritura) before any deposit is paid

We always recommend independent legal representation, separate from the seller's lawyer or agent, so your interests are the only ones being protected. At SOBE Invest, we work closely with English-speaking lawyers experienced specifically in Costa del Sol transactions, and we can make an introduction as part of our service. No extra cost to you.