Etiqueta: SPAIN

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The Essential Role of a Real Estate Lawyer

When buying property in Spain, the notary’s presence is mandatory for signing the deed—but their role is strictly impartial. They simply certify the documents.
Your lawyer, however, is your dedicated legal advocate, working exclusively to protect your interests.

Hiring a specialized real estate lawyer is not optional—it’s critical for these reasons:

Comprehensive Legal Due Diligence

Your lawyer performs a full legal audit of the property, going far beyond a superficial check to ensure:

  • Free of Encumbrances: Confirms the property is free of liens, hidden mortgages, easements, or restrictions that could compromise your ownership rights.
  • Urban Planning Compliance: Verifies compliance with Barcelona’s urban planning regulations and checks for any pending issues with the City Council (e.g., undeclared renovations).
  • Documentary Legality: Reviews the validity of the Occupancy Certificate, Energy Certificate, and confirms the seller’s ownership title is correct.

Protection Through the Arras Contract

The arras contract is the most crucial document before the deed—it sets the terms of your purchase.

  • Your lawyer negotiates, drafts, or reviews this contract, ensuring clauses protect you against risks (e.g., mortgage delays or unexpected charges).
  • They guarantee penalties for non-compliance—such as the seller returning double the deposit—are clearly stipulated.

Expert Tax and Cost Guidance

Catalonia’s property taxes (ITP, AJD) have unique rules and possible deductions.

  • Your lawyer ensures correct tax settlement, avoiding costly mistakes that could lead to fines or surcharges.
  • They help you understand and optimize the transaction’s cost structure.

Mortgage Process Support

If financing is involved, your lawyer reviews the FEIN (European Standard Information Sheet) and mortgage terms to detect abusive clauses, in line with Spain’s Real Estate Credit Law (LCCI).

A lawyer is not an expense—it’s an investment in peace of mind, minimizing financial and legal risks so you can sign your deed with total confidence.

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The Income Tax for Non-Residents (Form 210)

February brings about the implementation of two significant changes in the Spanish tax system, specifically aimed at non-resident property owners. These updates simplify the declaration and payment procedures for the Income Tax for Non-Residents (Form 210) and reduce administrative burdens

1. Simplification of rental income declaration: The new regulation allows non-resident owners to declare their rental income annually, replacing the previous quarterly requirement. This measure, implemented by Order HAC/56/2024, takes effect for the fiscal year 2024, setting the declaration period from January 1 to 20, 2025, and will continue in the same way in the following years.

Due to this change, our fees for the preparation of the annual tax form will be updated to €250 per year, instead of being billed quarterly. If a property has more than one owner, each must file a tax form. Also, please note, a tax form must also be filed for each rented property. Our fees for additional statements (whether for a second owner and/or a second property) will have a 50% discount per tax form.

2. Facilitation of tax payment through SEPA accounts: This reform, approved by Order HFP/387/2023 and effective from February 2024, permits non-residents to use SEPA bank accounts to pay their taxes in Spain. This change eliminates the requirement for a Spanish bank account to make the Income Tax for Non-Residents payment, offering more convenience and flexibility to owners across Europe.

Please do not hesitate to contact Borja if you have any questions.

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Subasta notarial de embarcaciones abandonadas

En 2014 se dio un plazo de 6 meses al gobierno para remitir a las Cortes Generales un proyecto de ley para regular el abandono de bienes muebles y los procedimientos de venta, subasta notarial, electrónica y enajenación de los mismos. (DF11 de la ley 14/2014, de 24 de julio, de navegación marítima).

Han pasado 10 años, y no existe una norma estatal específica para resolver el problema de una embarcación de recreo sin dueño, un “residuo matriculado”. Existen  proyectos pero que no se materializan.

En España conviven, en tema de abandonos, la regulación TRLPEMM, (arts 302 y ss)  que desarrolla un proceso administrativo de declaración de abandono y venta de las embarcaciones en puertos del estado, que afecta a grandes buques deudores de tasas portuarias.

Con el sistema autonómico conviven hasta  8 normas autonómicas de puertos en las que,  bien no se regula el proceso de declaración de abandono de embarcaciones,  bien  los que se regulan no son ágiles ni se les destinan los medios suficientes  para su rápida tramitación o son tan garantistas que se eternizan

El código civil de Catalunya (libro quinto) regula el derecho de retención como garantía, que ha venido aplicándose a aquellas embarcaciones que no han abonado las tarifas de devengadas. Este proceso se hace ante Notario.

Vehiculos a motor

El Código Civil Español regula el derecho de retención que tiene su base en el derecho romano.  El art 1600  preceptúa “El que ha ejecutado  un obra en cosa mueble  tiene el derecho  de retenerla en prenda hasta que se le pague “, artículo que se utiliza poco en la práctica pero que está colgado en muchos talleres mecánicos.

La Ley de Seguridad Vial en España establece las responsabilidades de los propietarios de vehículos. Además, cuando un coche es retirado de la vía pública o ha sido inmovilizado por las autoridades, y nadie lo reclama en un plazo de dos meses, se considera abandonado.

Las administraciones  responsables de la ordenación y gestión del tráfico pueden ordenar el traslado del vehículo a un Centro Autorizado de Tratamiento de Vehículos para su posterior destrucción y descontaminación. De momento, del proyecto de subasta notarial de las embarcaciones abandonas  le falta un mínimo interés político, porque existe un clamor  unánime a que se convierta en ley: no conozco a nadie en el sector que se oponga.

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SPANISH GOLDEN VISA

Sagrada Familia Barcelona Golden Visa

The Act established a flexible system of concession of visas and residency for foreign investors, entrepreneurs, and highly-qualified workers. An investment of €500,000 in Real Estate will gain your family a residency permit.

The Spanish investor visa can be renewed every 2 years. After 5 years of investors residency it is possible to gain permanent residency, and after 10 years receive the Spanish passport. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain or renew your residency permit.

The advantages of the Golden Visa programme are the possibility to apply for your residency in Spain without leaving the country and the possibility to travel anywhere in the Schengen area.