The Ultimate Guide to Buying Property in Spain for Belgian & Dutch Nationals

Belgium and the Netherlands are among the top source countries for international property buyers in Spain, and the Costa Blanca is by far the most popular destination.

This comprehensive guide is specifically written for Belgian and Dutch nationals who are considering purchasing property in Spain — whether as a holiday home, permanent residence, or investment property.

The Spanish property purchase process differs significantly from what you may be used to in Belgium or the Netherlands.

In Spain, the notary's role is more limited, and it is essential to hire an independent lawyer (abogado) to protect your interests.

The purchase process typically follows these steps: obtain your NIE number (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), open a Spanish bank account, find and reserve your property with a reservation deposit (typically €3,000-€6,000), sign a private purchase contract (contrato de arras) with a 10% deposit, and complete the purchase before a notary with the public deed (escritura).

Total purchase costs typically amount to 12-14% for resale properties (mainly ITP transfer tax at 10% in Valencia region) or 13-15% for new builds (10% IVA/VAT plus 1.5% stamp duty).

Annual costs include IBI property tax, non-resident income tax (Modelo 210), and community fees where applicable.

WOW-Estates guides Belgian and Dutch buyers through every step of this process.