Legal & administrative support

Legal Services for
Property Buyers in Marbella

Due diligence, contracts, notary and registration — one coordinated process with independent solicitors acting solely in your interest.

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Property purchase · legal coordination

Buying property in Spain is a legal process as much as a financial one. We make sure it is followed through properly — from the first document review to registered ownership.

SOBE Invest coordinates the legal and administrative process around your purchase with qualified, independent Spanish lawyers. You get one clear, managed process and one point of contact, while every legal step is handled by professionals acting solely in your interest.

01Independent legal review
02One point of contact
03Multilingual coordination

Property purchase support

What the legal process may include

The exact scope depends on the property, the transaction structure and the lawyer's written engagement. The following areas are commonly coordinated during a residential purchase.

01

Legal due diligence

Review of the legal status of the property before you enter any major or non-refundable commitment.

  • Ownership and title verification
  • Mortgages, charges and embargoes
  • Pending legal restrictions
02

Reservation & contract review

Review of reservation terms, private purchase contracts and deposit arrangements before signature.

  • Reservation agreement
  • Arras contract
  • Protective conditions and deadlines
03

Planning & licence checks

Verification of municipal documentation and potential discrepancies affecting the property.

  • Building and planning permissions
  • First Occupation Licence
  • Extensions, pools and renovations
04

Registry & cadastral review

Comparison of the physical property with the Land Registry, Cadastre and available municipal records.

  • Nota simple review
  • Registered description and boundaries
  • Registry and Cadastre discrepancies
05

Debts & property obligations

Checks intended to identify outstanding amounts or obligations connected with the property.

  • IBI and municipal liabilities
  • Community fees and approved derramas
  • Utility and local payment status
06

NIE & Power of Attorney

Coordination of the documentation commonly required for foreign buyers purchasing in Spain.

  • NIE application coordination
  • Power of Attorney (poder notarial)
  • Document certification and legalisation
07

Notary & completion

Preparation and coordination of completion with the buyer, seller, banks and the appointed notary.

  • Completion document review
  • Payment and mortgage coordination
  • Signing of the public deed
08

Registration & aftercare

Coordination of the principal administrative steps that follow completion of the purchase.

  • Purchase tax filing coordination
  • Land Registry submission
  • Utilities and community ownership updates

The purchase process

From property selection to registered ownership

  1. Step 1

    Initial setup

    Appointment of the lawyer, identification documents, and — where required — the NIE application and Power of Attorney, started early so nothing blocks completion later.

  2. Step 2

    Offer & reservation

    Review of the commercial terms, the reservation document, and the conditions attached to the initial payment before the property is taken off the market.

  3. Step 3

    Legal due diligence

    Independent investigation of ownership, charges, debts, licences and planning status — with a clear report before any further payment is made.

  4. Step 4

    Private contract (arras)

    Review or preparation of the arras contract, payment schedule, completion date and protective clauses, typically with a 10% deposit.

  5. Step 5

    Notary completion

    Coordination of the public deed, payment arrangements and mortgage documentation; ownership transfers at the notary — in person or by power of attorney.

  6. Step 6

    Registration & handover

    Filing of applicable taxes, registration of title, and coordination of the post-completion handover — keys, utilities, community.

Handing over the villa keys at completion
Completion day — the moment the whole process leads to.

Clear responsibilities

One coordinated process.
Independent professional roles.

SOBE Invest remains involved throughout the transaction, while formal legal advice and legal representation are provided by your appointed independent lawyer.

SOBE Invest

Coordinates the transaction

  • Central communication with all parties
  • Collection and organisation of documents
  • Communication with the seller or developer
  • Coordination with banks and technical specialists
  • Transaction timeline and completion logistics
  • Property handover and practical aftercare

Independent lawyer

Provides the legal protection

  • Provides formal legal advice
  • Verifies title, ownership and legal charges
  • Reviews contracts and legal documentation
  • Advises on identified legal risks
  • Represents the buyer where appointed
  • Acts independently in the client's interest

Property-specific review

Different properties require different checks

Resale property

Apartments, townhouses and villas

Ownership, charges, IBI, community records, licences, reforms, occupancy status and contractual conditions.

New development

Off-plan and newly completed homes

Developer documentation, planning permission, building licence, bank guarantees on stage payments, completion terms and final documentation.

Renovated villa

Extensions, pools and structural changes

Comparison of the current property with the Registry, Cadastre, municipal licences and available technical documentation.

Plot or development

Land and development projects

Planning classification, permitted use, buildability, access, utilities and applicable urban development obligations.

Additional administrative coordination

Support beyond the purchase

Where required, SOBE Invest also helps coordinate administrative and relocation matters through appropriate independent professionals and service providers.

NIE coordination Residency support Document legalisation Utility contracts Municipal procedures Civil registry matters Vehicle registration Trademark registration

Planning to buy in Spain?

Discuss your property and the legal process
before making a major commitment

Tell us what stage you are at, whether you have already selected a property, and which documents have been presented to you.

Request legal service WhatsApp — ask Lucas

Questions we hear most

Legal FAQ for buyers

A lawyer is not legally mandatory, but buying without independent legal representation is strongly discouraged — the notary certifies the deed but does not act for you. An independent solicitor verifies the property, protects your deposit, and ensures the contract reflects your interests, not the seller's.

Standard due diligence includes: a Land Registry extract (nota simple) confirming ownership and any charges or mortgages; planning and urbanistic status; building and first occupation licences; community of owners' debts and fees; IBI and utility arrears; and, for new builds, the developer's bank guarantees on stage payments.

Independent legal fees on the Costa del Sol are typically around 1% of the purchase price plus VAT, depending on the complexity of the transaction. The precise scope of work and professional fees are confirmed in the lawyer's written engagement letter before any work begins.

For a resale property: ITP (transfer tax) at 7% of the purchase price. For a new build: IVA at 10% plus AJD (stamp duty) at 1.2%. On top of tax, allow for notary and Land Registry fees. Your lawyer calculates, files and pays these on your behalf as part of completion.

Yes. With a power of attorney (poder notarial) — signed before a Spanish notary, at a Spanish consulate, or abroad with an apostille — your lawyer can complete the entire purchase on your behalf, including the deed signing and registration.

You need an NIE (Foreigner Identification Number) before completion at the notary and for paying taxes — but not to reserve a property or sign the private contract. It is wise to start the application early; your lawyer can obtain it for you, including by power of attorney.

A nota simple is an official extract from the Spanish Land Registry showing who owns a property, its registered description, and any charges against it — mortgages, embargoes, easements. It is the first document reviewed in any due diligence.

Yes — that is exactly how we work. SOBE Invest coordinates the property search, negotiation and administrative side, while your appointed independent lawyer handles every legal aspect of the purchase. You deal with one team and one process, from the first viewing to registered ownership and connected utilities.

Continue reading

Purchase process guide Non-resident tax calculator Real estate glossary

A note on how we work

SOBE Invest is a real estate agency and is not a law firm. SOBE Invest does not itself provide legal advice, legal representation or reserved legal services. Formal legal advice and legal work are provided by qualified independent Spanish lawyers under a separate professional engagement with the client. SOBE Invest coordinates communication, documentation and transaction administration between the parties, but the appointed lawyer acts independently and solely in the client's interest. The precise scope of work, professional fees and responsibilities are confirmed directly in the lawyer's written engagement letter.

Independent Legal Guidance
for Property Buyers

Professional coordination with trusted Spanish property lawyers.
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