The benefits of buying a house in Spain as a foreigner
Spain has long been a favourite holiday destination among Brits, and it’s not hard to see why. Picturesque historic centres, irresistible culture and incredible scenery pair with the sparkling Mediterranean coastline. And nowhere more so than in Calpe on the Costa Blanca.
With a holiday home or retirement property in Calpe, you have the freedom to spend your days however you choose. Whether you’re in the mood for a lazy day that starts with a cup of café con leche, followed by a stroll along the seafront promenade to the pristine beach overlooked by the great Peñón de Ifach where you can while away the hours gazing at the gently lapping waters. Or whether you’re in the mood for adventure, in which case the surrounding mountains are calling out to be explored on foot or on two wheels.
Whichever way you choose to spend your time, investing in a property here means enjoying life in the sunshine all year round. There are an impressive 300 sunny days a year on this stretch of the Mediterranean, making owning an apartment in Calpe nothing short of a dream come true.
What documents do I need to buy a house in Spain?
The most important piece of documentation that you will need to purchase a property in Spain is the TIE. Standing for Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, meaning ‘Foreign Identity Card’, this document is an essential piece of paperwork that you’ll need to complete the property purchasing process. Somewhat confusingly, this card includes the NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero or ‘Foreign Identity Number’), the number which gave British nationals residency in Spain prior to the UK’s exit from the European Union.
How to get the TIE card in Spain
How you obtain your TIE card depends on whether you were in Spain or not prior to the 1 January 2021, when the Withdrawal Agreement came into force.
If you were a legal resident of Spain before 1 January 2021, you will be able to change your NIE into a TIE. If you were registered as a resident before the 6 July 2020, you will have a green A4 certificate or credit card-sized piece of paper as a residency card. You do not have to exchange this for the new TIE, but it is strongly recommended that you do as it will simplify administrative processes. Not sure where to get your TIE? You can apply for your card in Spain by submitting the EX-17 form alongside your passport and a recent photograph. You can find more information about this on the British Government website.
If you were not a legal resident of Spain before the 1 January 2021, you can travel to Spain without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Once this period has expired, you will need an appropriate visa, which you can apply for at the Spanish Consulates in the UK. Your visa will assign you a NIE, which you can use to purchase your property.
There are six main types of residency available to Brits:
- Non-lucrative Visa (ideal for retirees)
- Golden Visa (also known as the Investment Visa)
- Self-employment Visa
- Work Visa
- Student Visa
- Digital Nomad Visa
Alternatively, if you want to buy a property for investment purposes or do not intend to live in it for over 183 days a year, you can apply for a temporary NIE to conduct the purchasing process. It is important to note that this NIE does not give you residency.
Apartments in Calpe
There’s no doubt about it: owning a property in Spain, and in Calpe in particular, will make life sunnier all round. Start your search for your property with Grupo Esmeralda and you’ll be living the Spanish dream in no time.
