What are the essentials to know before buying a plot in Spain?

Extend the summer tempts you! Do you have some money and time ahead of you? So why not invest in buying land in Spain? You will be able to build a house or professional premises there if you wish to rent or go to work elsewhere. However, to buy land in Spain, there is a procedure to follow. Here is a summary.

The two different types of land in Spain

Since 2008, there are two types of land in Spain: rustic and urban. Farmland, forests, agricultural lands, as well as those of a historical, cultural or archaeological nature, in protected areas and those intended for the construction of public buildings such as administrations, enter rustic land. On rustic land, there is therefore no possibility of building. Frequent air traffic controls are carried out and any illicitly constructed building is subject to an immediate demolition order.

The urban land has a drainage system for water and electricity and remains accessible to vehicles. You will therefore only be able to build on this type of land which must also have a fairly stable ground. If it is unconsolidated, the urban land must be redeveloped if you want to build housing on it. A construction plan must be presented to the town hall. The administration sends you a written authorization telling you that you can develop this urban land and it is only then that you can consider building.

The various documents to provide for the purchase of land in Spain

If you find the urban land of your dreams, check with the town hall that it is classified as such and ask the City Council for a town planning certificate. Above, you will know exactly what is the accepted building area on the ground, the separation limits as well as the number of floors you have the right to raise or the maximum height of your future roof, etc. If there is an ongoing procedure concerning this land, it will also be mentioned. Before buying land in Spain, ask an architect for a technical report. If the report is different from the statements made on the town planning certificate, it is the architect who guarantees his report. Check that this land is indeed constructible and locate its cadastral reference. Once you have made the purchase of the land in Spain, register the acquisition in the property register to be in order with taxes. You must provide the copy of the purchase entered in the property register to the town hall which will send it to the land registry. You will then have to pay taxes and duties to the Property Registry.

Compulsory studies and various procedures to be carried out before purchasing land in Spain

Before purchasing land in Spain, you must have a geotechnical study carried out so that the foundations of your building are in line with the composition of the soil or any presence of underground water. Thanks to this study, you will then be able to determine the most appropriate technical characteristics for your foundations. In some cases, you will have the right to divide a plot, demolish an old building or have a derogation on prior authorization from the competent authorities. The cost of this study varies from 1000 to 3000 € and the work lasts a good week. If your land is sloping, add a topographic study, the cost of which ranges from 300 to 1000 €. Also check the PLU to make sure your construction complies with regional standards. You will need to obtain a license authorizing you to carry out the work. It will be granted to you by the town hall after one month if the work is minor and three months if it is more substantial and respects the town planning standards set by the law of the country. Once you get the license, you can acquire the building permit at the town hall. Its cost is 4% of the total price of the work. In some parts of Spain, the town halls also require a waste management plan and you will have to pay the license grant tax and the building tax.

Obtaining the building permit

Once the land has been purchased in Spain and all the necessary passages have been completed, you will have to notify the DTP or Provincial Labor Delegation before starting your work. The chosen company must also have an authorization if it concerns business premises. You then go through the Health and Safety Plan or PSS for the agreement of its technical management after a study made of the site. You will also be asked to hire a qualified architect who will prepare the plans for your project, write the descriptive note and draw up an estimate. He will also be responsible for specifying the town-planning characteristics and will provide all the plans necessary to obtain the building permit. A project manager will also be responsible for drafting everything relating to the installations and structures of the building. His file is also essential to obtain your building permit.

All these steps are essential to build a house or a building following the purchase of land in Spain. Remember that the primary interest is to protect yourself well. Our real estate experts are at your disposal for this.