Buying Guide Details

Buying Property in Barcelona

Where to buy property in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of Spain’s priciest property hotspots, though demand is still strong for holiday homes and property investments. How many major cities offer property buyers the sun, a Mediterranean beach and skiing just a short drive away? The rivalry between Barcelona and Madrid goes far beyond the football field – culturally and commercially they vie for the crown as Spain’s number one city destination.

It’s a diverse city – the Old Town quarters, such as El Raval and Barceloneta, have a claustrophobic, ‘authentic’ quality, which though tempered by redevelopment and refurbishment, still harbour an edgy feel in places. Characterised by small properties in old buildings these central districts are close to all the city’s major attractions and amenities. Gracia and El Borne are equally central but less hectic.

Some of the city’s suburbs offer spacious, stylish living – L’Eixample offers many classical buildings on a planned grid scheme dating from the 19th century – but at a price. The districts of Sarria-Sant Gervasi and Pedrables are very desirable; the former is home to business schools and offers rental opportunities to the affluent post-graduate students therein, while the latter contains some of Barcelona’s most opulent homes.

Despite high prices for property for sale in Barcelona, the city is still one of Spain’s most expensive sought-after destinations – with so much to offer it might appeal to anyone looking for a property for sale in Spain if they are not on a budget.

View property for sale in Barcelona

The Process of Buying Property in Barcelona

Anyone wishing to buy (or sell) a property in Barcelona must first obtain from the state – in person – a fiscal number for foreigners known as NIE (numero de identificacion de extranjeros)

Once the buyer has received the NIE number, the buyer’s lawyers can make an offer on their behalf. When a price has been agreed, it is recommended that both parties sign a preliminary agreement which outlines details such as the completion date
A deposit of 10% is the normal amount placed to secure the deal. After this, if the buyer pulls out they lose the full deposit but, should the seller decide not to go ahead, he/she must return double the amount of the deposit – i.e. 20% – to the buyer
If a property in Barcelona is purchased off-plan, it is usual for payments to be broken into stages, the balance being paid when construction finishes
On completion, when all the necessary checks have been carried out, both parties sign the escritura (title deeds) in the presence of a notary. The buyer then pays the balance, plus all other fees and taxes. Copies of the deeds are sent to the Land Registry and the tax office.

Homes Overseas Property Club

Homes Overseas has joined forces with a collection of IFA specialists to form the Homes Overseas Property Club (HOPC), designed for existing and prospective overseas property homeowners.

The Club – which has access to international lawyers in no fewer than 43 different countries - has been set up in order to guide people through some of the various issues relating to buying and maintaining a property overseas. It offers advice on a range of topics, including financial, legal, insurance, taxation, property management and foreign currency matters.

For further information please telephone 0845 838 7142 or email info@homesoverseaspropertyclub.com

Fees & Taxes

Taxes and fees usually amount to around 10% of the total purchase price of the property in Barcelona
Taxes payable depend on whether the property being purchased is new-build or resale. Currently, transfer tax of around 7% is applied on resales, which includes stamp duty. For new-build properties, VAT (IVA) of 7% is payable in addition to 1% stamp duty
On top of this there is also plusvalia (capital gains tax), which is set by the local authorities and depends on the area concerned and the amount of profit being made on the sale. This is usually paid by the seller
If the buyer is purchasing land or commercial property rather than residential, VAT is 16% as opposed to 7%. Stamp duty remains the same
Most Spanish lawyers charge around 1% of the final purchase price, and notary fees are around 0.5%
Agents’ fees can vary anywhere between 2% and 15% – so be careful not to be ripped off

Getting there

Barcelona and nearby Girona airports are served direct from many regional airports in the UK year-round. There are good road and rail links to France and the rest of mainland Europe.

There's also a range of articles for you to read about buying property in Spain, as well as overseas news stories affecting the property market in Spain or view our range of property for sale in Barcelona .