Applies to: Lender underwriting and property-specific rules; resident and nonresident applications can differ.
Before you start
- Identity, tax residence and proof of income.
- Bank statements, debts and source-of-funds evidence.
- Property information and savings for the deposit and separate purchase costs.
The steps
Establish affordability
List the monthly payment you can sustain alongside other debts and living costs. Model lower income or exchange-rate changes if earnings are outside the euro.
Ask lenders about your profile
Confirm the documents they require for your tax residence, employment and income currency. A quoted maximum loan-to-value is not an approval.
Get independent property checks
Review title, charges, planning and the purchase contract with your own adviser. A lender’s valuation does not replace that due diligence.
Compare written offers
Compare interest structure, APR/TAE, fees, required products and repayment terms. Ask what happens to pricing if an optional insurance product is cancelled.
Review the FEIN and notarial stage
Banco de España explains the personalised FEIN and the pre-signing information period of at least ten days under the national framework. The notary checks the information/advice stage before signing.
Plan remote signing carefully
If buying from abroad, ask your lawyer and notary about a limited power of attorney, identification and funds-transfer logistics before travel.
Important details
Cash needed
Keep purchase taxes, valuation, advice, registration and other transaction costs separate from the deposit. Obtain an itemised estimate for the actual property and region.
Before an arras payment
Have any financing condition and consequences of mortgage refusal reviewed before signing. A broker’s verbal reassurance is not a contractual protection.
See the bigger picture
Pair these practical steps with the Spain-wide essentials.
Sources & next steps
Reviewed 30 September 2026. This independent guide provides general information. Requirements, fees and office arrangements can change; the responsible authority’s current instructions control your application. Commercial service links explain products, not official rules.