For buyers from Germany
Buying property in Marbella from Germany
Tell us how you plan to use the property, your preferred areas, euro budget, timeline and priorities. We search across the estate agencies and developers we work with and return a focused shortlist.
Germany and Spain are both EU and euro-area countries, but the Spanish property purchase process has its own contracts, registry checks, professional roles and completion formalities.
Free for buyers · No obligation · No agency introduction unless you agree
Key parts of a Spanish purchase
- NIE identification number
- Independent legal advice
- Property Registry information
- Review of contracts and planning status
- Public deed signed before a Spanish notary
- Registration following completion
Find Marbella handles the property search. Legal and technical checks must be completed by independent professionals acting for the buyer.
A buyer-side property search
Find Marbella begins with your written buyer brief rather than with one estate agency's available stock. We ask the estate agencies and developers we work with what is currently available and compare relevant options against your priorities.
We do not own listings or represent sellers. If you want to discuss or view a shortlisted property, we introduce you to the estate agency holding it, but only after you agree.
The service is free for buyers. If a purchase completes following an introduction, the estate agency pays Find Marbella a referral fee from its commission. There is more detail on how the search works on our Marbella property finder page.
We do not verify ownership, legal charges, planning permissions, building licences or construction quality. These checks must be completed by the buyer's independent lawyer and, where relevant, a qualified technical professional.
How the Spanish purchase process differs
- 1
Prepare the brief and euro budget
Define the intended use, preferred areas, property type, timeline and total euro budget. The budget should allow for purchase costs, legal work, possible technical inspections, furnishing, renovation and ongoing ownership costs.
- 2
Arrange the NIE
The NIE is Spain's foreigner identification number and is used in Spanish administrative and economic procedures.
Plan it early with an independent lawyer. Find Marbella does not obtain the NIE and cannot guarantee processing times.
- 3
Review a property before committing
A reservation agreement, deposit or private purchase contract may create financial and legal obligations. An independent lawyer should review the documents before the buyer signs or transfers money.
- 4
Complete independent due diligence
The lawyer should verify ownership, registered charges, planning status, contracts, community information and the legal position of the property.
A surveyor or other qualified technical professional may be needed to assess physical condition, construction or defects.
- 5
Sign the public deed
The public deed of sale is normally signed before a Spanish notary. The notary performs a public legal function but should not be presented as a replacement for the buyer's own independent lawyer or technical adviser.
- 6
Complete registration and ownership administration
Following completion and payment of the applicable taxes, registration in the Spanish Property Registry is recommended to protect the buyer's registered ownership position.
The exact sequence and documents depend on the property, seller, financing and contract. This page provides general information rather than legal advice.
What a Nota Simple can show
A Nota Simple is an informational extract from the Spanish Property Registry. According to the Spanish Government, it can provide information about the registered owner, mortgages, attachments, other charges, restrictions and certain special legal regimes affecting the property.
It may help identify
- Registered ownership
- Mortgages and registered charges
- Attachments or restrictions
- Special legal regimes
- Coordination with the Spanish Cadastre
- Certain community-fee and local-tax information
It does not replace
- Independent legal advice
- Planning and licence checks
- A physical condition survey
- Review of the purchase contract
- Verification of unregistered alterations
- Current confirmation immediately before completion
Find Marbella may identify that these questions need to be asked, but we do not order, interpret or legally verify the Nota Simple for the buyer.
Checks beyond the Property Registry
Planning and licences
The lawyer should confirm the property's planning and licensing position, including any extensions or alterations.
Physical condition
A qualified technical professional should assess structure, damp, roofing, installations, glazing, insulation and other condition concerns where relevant.
Community information
For properties in a community, review current fees, meeting minutes, unpaid contributions and planned extraordinary works.
Energy information
Review the energy certificate, but do not treat it as a complete condition or structural survey.
Occupancy and use
Confirm whether the property is vacant, occupied, rented or subject to restrictions that could affect the intended use.
New developments
For off-plan or newly completed property, additional checks may be required regarding the developer, land ownership, building licences, guarantees and completion documentation.
These checks are carried out by the buyer's independent lawyer and, where relevant, a qualified technical professional. Find Marbella does not perform them.
Residence and currency basics
German citizens are EU citizens. For stays in Spain of up to three months, a valid passport or national identity card is generally sufficient without registering as a Spanish resident.
For stays longer than three months, residence registration and eligibility conditions may apply. Spain states that registration should be completed within three months of entry when it is required.
Buying a property does not itself replace the applicable residence formalities.
Germany and Spain both use the euro, so there is no home-currency conversion between German euros and a Spanish euro purchase price. Banking, financing and proof-of-funds arrangements may still need to be prepared before completion.
General information only. Residence, tax and financial circumstances require individual professional advice.
Prepare before travelling to view properties
- Decide whether the property is for holidays, relocation, retirement or investment
- Set a total euro budget rather than only an asking-price ceiling
- Arrange proof of funds or mortgage preparation
- Choose an independent Spanish lawyer
- Plan the NIE process
- Identify non-negotiable property requirements
- Decide whether a technical inspection will be required
- Obtain German and Spanish tax advice where relevant
- Avoid relying on unverified rental-income projections
- Ask how quickly the buyer could realistically complete
Find Marbella uses the property-related parts of this information to make the shortlist more relevant. We do not assess the buyer's legal, tax or financial position.
How the property search works
- 1
Send one written brief
Tell us your preferred areas, property type, euro budget, timeline and the features you will not compromise on.
- 2
We ask the agencies and developers we work with
We check what is currently available, including relevant properties that may be shared privately before public advertising.
- 3
You receive a focused shortlist
We explain why each option may fit, the important compromises and whether the current availability aligns with your expectations.
An agency introduction only happens after you express interest in a property and agree to the introduction.
Choose an area by your priorities
Beach access and walkability
Golden Mile, central Marbella, Puerto Banús, San Pedro and selected parts of Estepona.
Golf and year-round living
Nueva Andalucía, Guadalmina, San Pedro and Benahavís.
Privacy and larger properties
Benahavís, Sierra Blanca, La Zagaleta and selected parts of Marbella East.
Newer and lower-maintenance homes
Selected developments in Estepona, Marbella East and Benahavís.
These are starting points, not universal recommendations. The right area depends on budget, property type, intended use and daily routine.
Privately shared and off-market properties
Some estate agencies share properties privately before or instead of public advertising. We include these options when they are available through the agencies and developers we work with and when they are relevant to the buyer's brief.
Privately shared does not automatically mean cheaper, rarer or better than a publicly advertised property. We cannot guarantee an off-market match for every search. There is more detail on our off-market property in Marbella page.
Questions from German buyers
Can German citizens buy property in Spain?
Yes. Spain does not restrict residential property ownership by nationality, and German buyers purchase under the same Spanish property law as any other buyer.
Do German buyers need a visa to buy in Marbella?
No. German citizens are EU citizens and do not need a visa to travel to Spain or to buy a property there.
Can I stay in Spain for more than three months?
For stays of up to three months a valid passport or national identity card is generally sufficient. For longer stays, residence registration and eligibility conditions may apply, and Spain states that registration should be completed within three months of entry when it is required.
Does buying a property give me Spanish residence?
No. Property ownership and the right of residence are separate matters, and buying a home does not itself replace the applicable residence formalities.
What is an NIE?
The NIE is Spain's foreigner identification number. It is used to identify foreign nationals in Spanish administrative and economic procedures, including property transactions and tax payments.
What is a Nota Simple?
A Nota Simple is an informational extract from the Spanish Property Registry showing registered information such as ownership and charges. It should be reviewed by the buyer's independent lawyer and does not replace wider legal or technical due diligence.
Does Find Marbella verify the Nota Simple?
No. Find Marbella may identify that these questions need to be asked, but we do not order, interpret or legally verify the Nota Simple for the buyer. That work belongs to the buyer's independent lawyer.
Do I still need an independent lawyer if a notary is involved?
The Spanish notary performs an important public legal function in the completion of the transaction. Buyers should still have an independent lawyer review their interests, contracts and due diligence before completion.
Should I arrange a technical property inspection?
It is worth considering, particularly for older property, renovated property or homes with extensions. A qualified technical professional can assess structure, installations and condition matters that a registry extract does not cover.
What should be checked when buying a new development?
For off-plan or newly completed property, additional checks may be required regarding the developer, land ownership, building licences, guarantees and completion documentation. These checks should be handled by the buyer's independent lawyer.
Will I pay property taxes in Spain?
Spanish purchase taxes differ between new-build and resale property, and ownership carries ongoing local taxes and charges. German citizenship or German tax residence is not created or required by the Spanish property purchase itself. Personal tax consequences depend on residence and individual circumstances, so buyers should obtain appropriate German and Spanish tax advice.
Can I rent the property to holiday guests?
Rental may be possible, but it must not be assumed. The intended use should be checked against the property, community rules, municipality and current legislation before buying on the basis of rental income.
Can Find Marbella guarantee an off-market property?
No. Some estate agencies share properties privately before or instead of public advertising, and we include those options when they are available and relevant to your brief. We cannot guarantee an off-market match for every search.
How is Find Marbella paid?
The service is free for buyers. If a purchase completes following an introduction, the estate agency pays Find Marbella a referral fee from its commission.
Will my details be sent to several estate agents?
Find Marbella remains your point of contact while preparing the search. We only introduce you to the estate agency holding a property after you express interest and agree to the introduction.
How quickly will I hear back?
We aim to review your brief and respond within 24 hours with relevant options or honest market feedback. This is a response target, not a guarantee that a matching property will always be available.
Official information
- Spanish Government — Property Registry and purchase information
- Spanish Property Registrars — Information for international buyers
- Spanish Notariat — Role of the notary
- Spanish Ministry of the Interior — NIE
- Your Europe — EU residence rights
- Spanish Government — Registering residence
- Spanish Government — Property purchase taxes
- European Union — Germany and the euro
Tell us what you are looking for
Send one written brief with your preferred areas, euro budget and timeline. We search across the estate agencies and developers we work with and reply within 24 hours.
What happens next
- We review your brief the same day
- We ask the agencies and developers we work with
- We send relevant options or honest market feedback