Quickly when it can be. Careful when it should be.
If you are buying property in Spain, one of the first questions you will ask is how long the process takes. The honest answer is that there is no fixed or legally prescribed timeline.
However, when a property has been properly prepared for sale and the transaction is handled by a competent, registered estate agent, the buying process usually follows a very similar structure.
Below is the typical buying timeline used at Hola Properties, explained step by step, so you know exactly what to expect and why each stage exists.
The typical buying timeline at a glance
For a legally sound property marketed correctly:
- Reservation agreement: within 24 hours
- Private purchase contract (contrato de compraventa): around 14 days later
- Completion at the notary: 1–2 weeks after that
In many cases, this means 3 to 5 weeks from offer to completion.
Step 1: Reservation agreement (usually within 24 hours)
Once the buyer and seller agree on price and basic terms, the buyer pays a €3,000 reservation deposit and signs a reservation agreement.
This is normally done within 24 hours.
Why a reservation agreement is used
The reservation agreement:
- Removes the property from the market
- Locks in the agreed price
- Sets out the agreed next steps and timelines
- Gives both parties short-term security without full commitment
This stage exists to protect both sides while final legal confirmation takes place.
Why the reservation deposit is €3,000
The amount is deliberate. It shows genuine intent from the buyer without exposing them to unnecessary risk at an early stage.
At Hola Properties, reservation agreements are not used to rush buyers. They are used to create breathing space and clarity.
Step 2: Legal checks and the 10% deposit (around 14 days)
Signing the contrato de compraventa
Around 14 days after the reservation, the buyer and seller sign the private purchase contract, known as the contrato de compraventa. At this point, the buyer pays 10% of the purchase price, minus the €3,000 already paid.
This is when the sale becomes legally binding.
Why this stage takes around two weeks
This period allows time for proper legal due diligence, including:
- Verification of the title deeds
- Land Registry checks
- Confirmation of boundaries and ownership
- Planning and building compliance
- Review of extensions, pools, terraces, and outbuildings
- Community charges (where applicable)
- Utility and local tax checks
This step is especially important for rural properties such as cortijos and village houses, which often have long ownership histories and historic alterations.
Why this works smoothly with Hola Properties
Hola Properties carries out legal checks before a property is marketed, not after a buyer is found. This dramatically reduces delays and surprises.
Because the groundwork is already done, the 14-day window is usually sufficient for buyers and their lawyers to proceed with confidence.
Step 3: Completion at the notary (1–2 weeks later)
The notary appointment
After the private contract is signed, completion normally takes place 1 to 2 weeks later at the notary.
At the notary:
- The remaining balance is paid
- The public title deed (escritura) is signed
- Keys are handed over
- Ownership transfers immediately
Buyers can attend in person or sign via power of attorney if they are abroad.
Why there is a short gap before completion
This time allows for:
- Final bank transfers
- Mortgage fund release (if applicable)
- Notary availability
- Final administrative checks
It is a practical step, not a legal uncertainty.
Is this timeline fixed in Spain?
No. And that matters.
Spain does not have a mandatory or standardised buying timeline. Transactions can be very fast or take several months, depending on:
- The region
- The municipality
- The type of property
- Its legal status
- How well prepared the sale is
What matters is not speed, but clarity and control.
Why good agents follow a similar process
A professional, registered estate agent will usually follow a process very close to this one.
Signs you are dealing with a good agent:
- Reservation agreements are clearly explained
- Deposits are staged logically
- Legal checks are encouraged
- Timelines are realistic
- Pressure tactics are absent
Fast sales are not the goal. Clean, legally sound sales are.
When the process can take longer
Delays are common when:
- Planning issues need resolving
- Registry records do not match reality
- Inheritances are incomplete
- Licences are missing
- Paperwork needs regularising
A good agent will flag this early. A poor one will not.
What buyers should take from this
Buying property in Spain does not have to be stressful or unpredictable.
With proper preparation, staged deposits, and transparent legal checks:
- You know what you are committing to
- You understand when your money is at risk
- You avoid last-minute surprises
That is how property purchases should work.
Thinking of buying and want a clear, realistic timeline for a specific property?
Call +34 858 215 333 or visit holaproperties.com for a friendly, no-pressure chat.
And remember, we do not charge buyer’s fees.
