Abogado - Legally qualified person ie a solicitor who acts on behalf of the purchaser. His/her standard fees are 1 - 1.5% of the purchase price, plus IVA.

Escritura - Are the Title Deeds of your property, and Copia Simple, are a copy of those deeds.
Gestor - Is a licensed conveyancer.
Hacienda - Is the Spanish tax office.
Land Registry - Is the place where all Escrituras are registered.
Notaria (Notary) Is required to witness the signing of all legal public documents. He/she is appointed by the Spanish government, and it is part of their duty to ensure the title deeds recording the sale/ purchase has been signed in there presence, and all parties fully understand the nature of the signing.

Numero de Identificacion Fiscal (NIE) Foreigners identification number. Your abogado will obtain this for you. This is required for all official and most unofficial business.
Plus Valia - A local tax, usually paid by the vendor, represented by a percentage of the increased value of a property, since it was last sold.

Purchase Currency Recommendations - SEE LINK PAGE

Mortgage advice - SEE LINK PAGE

Living Costs

• Urbanizacion and Community Fees. These are any joint/shared utilities, such as private water supply, gardens, pools, drainage. You are advised to fully investigate the extent of these.
• Patrimonia (Local Rates) This is a wealth tax, paid by non residents, based on the Escrtura Publica or the Valor Catastral, which ever is the higher, typically around .2%
• Property Tax. The Local Town Hall charges IBI (Impuesto Sobre Bienes Inmuebles) annual real estate tax based on the Valor Catastral.
• Fire Insurance is compulsory by law when taking out a mortgage
• Water. Several different systems exist, particularly in rural areas.
• Electricity. Varies according to use.
• Basura. Rubbish collection, in some sreas it is included in the IBI, in others it is separate.