Signing day is often shorter than people imagine: one to two hours at the notary's office, and you leave with the keys. If it goes smoothly, it is because everything was prepared beforehand. Here is how the appointment works.
Who attends?
The notary, the seller and the buyer, or their representatives if they have signed a power of attorney. Depending on the case, the seller's agency, a bank representative if a mortgage is signed the same day, an interpreter if you are not fluent in Spanish, and us, by your side.
Step by step
- The notary checks identities, NIEs and the property's status at the land registry, consulted just beforehand.
- They read the deed of sale (escritura de compraventa) and make sure everyone understands it. Questions? Now is the time.
- The balance of the price is paid, usually by Spanish banker's cheque (cheque bancario) or secure transfer.
- Everyone signs, and the keys are handed over to you.
Something buyers often discover on the day
If the seller is not a Spanish tax resident, the buyer must withhold 3% of the price and pay it to the Spanish tax office on the seller's behalf. This amount is therefore deducted from what the seller receives on the day. The notary and the gestoría guide you, but it must be built into the figures in advance.
Documents to check on the table
Certificate of no community debts, latest IBI receipt, energy certificate, cédula de habitabilidad: if any of them is missing, better to know the day before than on the day itself.
And straight afterwards?
You receive a simple copy of the deed, then the gestoría handles the taxes and land registration. What happens next is detailed in our article after signing at the notary.
A good signing is one without surprises. The work is done beforehand; the day itself simply confirms it.
