Spanish property laws are different from other European countries, and we strongly advise all foreign property buyers in Spain to find the service of a reputable lawyer firm with experience in the property market.

Many lawyers, especially in tourist areas, offer bilingual legal services or, if the lawyers themselves cannot speak English, German, French etc., they include a Spanish translator as part of their services aswell as translation of documents from Spanish to English.

Some estate agents offer clients free use of their own Spanish solicitors, and even though you may be tempted to choose this option, bear in mind that the legal firm in question is bound to serve the interests of its client (i.e. the estate agent) rather than your own.

The Spanish term for a company of lawyers or solicitors is Bufete de Abogados and many of them advertise their services in yellow pages. Many Spanish consultancy companies, asesorías, offer a combination of legal services and financial services (tax declarations, plusvalía...).

If you can, try to use the services of a company recommended to you by someone. Try ringing your local consulate to see if they can recommend a company. Depending on whereabouts in Spain you are buying a house, we may be able to recommend reputable, bilingual (Spanish-English) lawyers. Write to us for further information. See also lawyers' prices in Spain.