I am a foreigner. How can I buy a home in Spain in 5 steps?

According to data from the Spanish Ministry of Public Works (Ministerio de Fomento de España official page),in 2012 the number of foreigners who bought a home in Spain was 12.2%.

The same figure for the year 2017 was 17.2% and for the year 2018 it was 15.7%. As of 2019 it stands at 16.5%. This proves that in the last 7 years there are more and more foreigners who acquire homes in Spanish territory.

There are many causes that have led to this situation, such as a sterling/euro exchange rate that favored British buyers before Brexit, as well as investment opportunities for German, Belgian, Russian, Chinese and other buyers.

If you are considering investing in a property in Spain and you are a foreign citizen, you are reading the right article.

The 5 steps to buy a property as a foreigner

To buy a property safely as a foreigner, you will only have to add obtaining the NIE to the 4 steps explained here “4 steps to buy a home in Spain”.

 As established in article 206 of BOE 103 (April 30 of 2011), on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration, “those foreigners who, due to their economic, professional or social interests, are related to Spain will be provided, for identification purposes, with a personal number, unique and exclusive, sequential. This number is known as the Foreigner Identification Number (NIE).

The NIE application can be made in person at the General Police Directorate in Spain (as long as you are not irregularly in Spanish territory) or at the Spanish consular offices in your country of origin. In addition, Spain must be informed about the reason for which the NIE is requested. In the case of home purchase, it will suffice to place “Home purchase in Madrid” on the application.

You can download the application form at this link.

For more information you can directly visit the page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain. Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y Cooperación de España Official Page.

I hope this information has been helpful to you and I invite you to use the comments to leave your opinion about this article. How did you apply for your NIE?

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