How long does it take to buy a property in Spain?

Buying or selling a home in Spain are not simple processes that take a few days or weeks. The procedure of finding your dream home, signing the deposit agreement, and applying for financing usually takes time.

At Fotocasa, we analyzed the report “Buying and Selling Experience in 2025” by Fotocasa Research to tell you how long it takes on average to buy a property in Spain.

What percentage of buyers manage to purchase a home in less than 2 months?

How long does it take on average to buy a property in Spain? Less than 4 months: the time it takes 43% of buyers to purchase a home

The process of signing a sales contract for a home in Spain usually takes between two months and a year, depending on the search time and the speed of financing.

According to the “Buying and Selling Experience in 2025” report prepared by Fotocasa Research, only 20% of homebuyers manage to complete the acquisition in less than two months. 23% of buyers take between two and four months to complete the legal and notarial process.

Meanwhile, 19% of seekers need between four and six months. 17% of people require between six months and a year to formalize their purchase. Finally, 22% of seekers take more than a year to achieve it.

María Matos, Director of Studies and Spokesperson for Fotocasa, points out that “the interest in buying has become the true engine of the residential sector… but it takes place in a context of imbalance where demand far exceeds the capacity of housing supply”.

In which autonomous community does it take the longest to buy an apartment?

The territory where the property is acquired marks notable variations in the speed of the transaction. The Valencian Community is the most agile community, where 27% buy in less than two months. In the Community of Madrid, 20% of buyers complete the process in less than two months. Andalusia, for its part, registers 18% of purchases closed before two months, while Catalonia is the autonomy where fewest purchases are closed in less than two months, with 13%.

Different timelines depending on the buyer’s age

Another aspect highlighted by the Fotocasa report is the differentiation between different age groups regarding the time to buy a property. Two dynamics stand out:

• Among seniors, from 55 to 75 years old, 25% complete the purchase in less than two months and another 25% between two and four months.
• In the segment of young people from 25 to 34 years old, 22% manage to buy in less than two months and only 14% take between six months and a year.

The explanation? Their goals when buying are not the same. Young people are looking for their first home to own or to upgrade their current home, while older people buy properties as second residences or as real estate investments.

How much does it cost to buy a house in Spain? [2026]

What are the stages of the buying and selling process in Spain and their timelines?

The entire process to buy a home through a mortgage loan requires an average of between 60 and 90 days from the initial reservation to the notarial signing.

As the table above shows, the overall time needed to acquire a house depends on the administrative and banking timelines associated with each phase.

How long does it take on average to find a property in Spain?

This first stage is usually the most extensive. On average, buyers spend between one and six months selecting options on real estate portals and making in-person visits.

Once the property is chosen, the negotiation of the asking price begins:

How long does it take to get a mortgage?

Financial institutions usually take between 10 and 15 business days to grant you a definitive mortgage, once they have carried out the economic viability study. To prevent the process from dragging out, it is advisable to have documentation prepared in advance, such as payrolls and income tax returns.

The time it takes to get a mortgage is divided into several steps:

• The initial risk assessment usually takes between 3 and 7 business days.
• Subsequently, the official appraisal of the property is carried out. The complete process of the appraisal requires between 5 and 10 business days.
• After receiving this favorable report, the bank issues the European Standardised Information Sheet (FEIN), guaranteeing the loan conditions.

Mortgage requirements to buy a home in Spain if I live abroad

How long does a deposit agreement last?

The deposit agreement is the private document signed to reserve the property. The buyer pays a certain amount of money to reserve the home, which will remain reserved for an agreed period stipulated in the contract (between 20 and 60 days) from the moment it is signed. When the sale is formalized, this amount paid as a deposit or reservation fee will be deducted from the total purchase price.

However, if the buyer has trouble securing a mortgage and the deposit agreement expires, there is the possibility of extending the deposit agreement. If both parties intend to proceed with the sale, they simply need to sign an addendum extending the contract previously signed that includes the new expiration date.

How long does it take to sign at the notary and register the property?

Once the mortgage offer (FEIN) has been received and accepted, a mandatory minimum of 10 calendar days must legally pass before signing the deeds at the notary. In regions like Catalonia, this compulsory cooling-off period increases to 14 days.

Once this timeframe has passed, both parties go to the notary to make the handover of keys official. After leaving the notary, buyers have a limit of 30 business days to pay the corresponding regional taxes.

Additional procedures and timelines for buying a property in Spain from abroad

If you are buying from another country, in addition to everything we have already mentioned, you will need to complete a few extra steps that may take more time when purchasing a home in Spain:

1. Obtaining the NIE (Timeline: 2 to 8 weeks):

This is the first step to buying a home in Spain, and we recommend doing it as soon as you begin your search. The Foreigner Identification Number (NIE) is mandatory for paying taxes and signing the property deeds. Processing it through the consulates in your country of origin usually takes between 4 and 8 weeks, while applying directly in Spain (in person or via power of attorney) takes 2 to 4 weeks, though this varies greatly depending on appointment availability.
We recommend checking the Fotocasa article “Step-by-step guide to applying for a NIE to buy a home in Spain” 

2. Opening a bank account and compliance (Timeline: 1 to 3 weeks)

Essential for settling taxes, paying for the property, and setting up direct debits for utility bills. The bank’s anti-money laundering (KYC) review and proof of funds verification can take up to 15 business days.

3. The Hague Apostille and sworn translation (timeline: 3 to 5 weeks)

All documentation issued abroad must be legalised and translated into Spanish by an official sworn translator certified by the MAEC:

• The Hague Apostille in the country of origin: takes between 2 and 4 weeks.
• Official sworn translation: takes between 5 and 7 business days (depending on the number of pages).

Due to these bureaucratic timelines, it is essential to establish deposit agreements with margins of 60 to 90 days to avoid putting the deposit money at risk.

4. Notary interpreter (booking notice: 1 week)

If you are not fluent in Spanish, the law requires the presence of an interpreter during the signing of the public deed, which must be booked and coordinated with the notary at least 7 days in advance.

Certified translations: Which documents from the UK must be translated to buy a property in Spain?

What factors delay the property purchase process?

The high cost of property is the biggest hurdle slowing down the process, cited by 71% of actual buyers over the past year. Financial requirements significantly slow down the time it takes to reach an agreement.

In addition, 43% of individuals point out that the condition of the properties lengthens their search times. This factor is closely followed by the market supply shortage, a difficulty highlighted by 39% of respondents.

Taking into account the current evolution of the real estate sector, planning ahead is the buyer’s best tool. It is essential to have all documentation ready before starting in-person property viewings.

If you are relying on a mortgage loan, make sure the private deposit agreement establishes a period of no less than 60 days. Banks and property appraisers have tight schedules, and an overly strict deadline could put your deposit money at serious risk.

Is this your first time buying a home in Spain? Read our “Step-by-step guide to buying a home for the first time.”