buying process

How much is the reservation deposit when buying in Spain?

When you find your ideal property in Spain, the first financial step is paying a reservation deposit to take the property off the market.

This is typically €3,000 to €10,000 depending on the property price, though it can be higher for luxury properties.

The reservation deposit is paid directly to the seller's agent or lawyer and is held in a client account.

It secures the property for an agreed period (usually 2-4 weeks) while your lawyer conducts due diligence checks and the private purchase contract (contrato de arras) is prepared.

Once the arras contract is signed, an additional deposit of 10% of the purchase price (minus the reservation fee) is usually required.

Important: the reservation deposit is generally refundable if legal checks reveal problems with the property.

However, under the arras contract, if the buyer withdraws, they typically forfeit the 10% deposit.

If the seller withdraws, they must return double the deposit amount.

WOW-Estates guides you through every payment stage and ensures all deposits are protected through proper legal channels.