How you buy is decided before signing, and it is hard to change afterwards. It affects who owns the property, tax and how it passes to your heirs. Here are the main options, to be confirmed with a notary or adviser for your situation.
Buying alone
This is the simplest option. But be careful if you are married: depending on your marital property regime, the property may belong to the couple even if you sign alone. The Spanish deed states this regime, hence the importance of preparing the right documents.
Buying as a couple
For a married couple, the property normally follows your marital property regime. If you are not married, you buy in joint ownership (pro indiviso), setting each person's share, for example 50/50 or in line with contributions. This split matters for resale, for tax and in the event of death: make it reflect what each of you actually pays.
Through a company
It is rarely the right solution for a second home. A company, French or Spanish, adds management costs, accounting obligations and specific taxation in Spain, and it does not always solve the question of inheritance. It may be justified for some multi-property investment projects, after a serious tax study on both sides of the border.
The inheritance question
As a general rule, the law that applies to your estate is that of the country where you normally live, unless your will states otherwise. But Spain can levy inheritance tax on a property located there, under rules specific to Catalonia, and France takes the tax paid in Spain into account. It is a subject to plan for from the moment you buy, in particular to protect a surviving spouse.
There is no universal right answer, only the arrangement that suits your family and your project. Ask the question before the arras contract, not at the notary.
