MOST FREQUENT QUESTIONS
SPANISH MORTGAGES
Looking at property for sale in Spain? There are no restrictions for foreigners to buy property in Spain but it’s important to be aware of any differences in the Spanish mortgage and buying processes before you embark on owning your own property in Spain. Here are the important things to consider before applying for a Spanish mortgage.
SHOULD YOU BUY PROPERTY IN SPAIN?
Since the Spanish housing market collapsed in 2008 and 2020 by the the covid-19, an oversupply of residential properties has remained unsold or returned to the market due to foreclosure and prices have plummeted. Spain’s economy, however, is slowly improving and property prices are showing signs of recovery of 1–2%. Although property values are not expected to reach pre-crisis levels until Spain’s housing oversupply is absorbed, the OECD reports Spanish property is undervalued by 26%, making Spain a cheap place to invest.
Coupled with historically low interest rates, often monthly mortgage payments can be less than rent payments for comparable properties in Spain. Spanish banks have produced an array of mortgage products specifically designed for foreign and expat investors. Those planning shorter stays in Spain, however, should factor Spansih CGT of circa 20%, which could offset any benefits of buying in the short-term. Additionally, buyers need to factor in Spain’s property transaction costs of around 15% of the property value. Even if property prices rise, it is still likely buyers will need a minimum of three to five years to offset property transaction costs.
However, the recent decision of Britain to leave the EU puts some uncertainty on Spain’s housing market. With records showing some 15% of residential properties sold in Spain were purchased by foreigners in 2014 and that British by far comprised the majority of buyers, Brexit will undoubtedly have an ongoing impact on policy and prices throughout Spain.
HOW MUCH CAN YOU BORROW IN SPAIN?
If you an official resident in Spain banks typically offer larger mortgages, for example, up to 80% of a property’s value. For non-residential borrowers, traditionally Spanish banks have been willing to lend up to 60–70%.
In some cases, the mortgage may be based on the bank assessor’s valuation of the property rather than the purchase price, although this depends on your Spanish mortgage product. Thus, if an assessor valued your property at 125.000,00 euros you could traditionally borrow up to 87.500,00 euros even if your purchase price was only 100.000,00 euros. However, with the current economic uncertainty, some banks are starting to lend based on the lower end of the purchase price or assessor’s valuation. It is best to check with your lending institution early regarding their specific policies.
SPANISH MORTGAGE CALCULATORS
Most Spanish mortgages are variable rates linked to the yearly Euribor (European inter-bank offered rate) plus a margin. Depending on the Spanish mortgage product you select, your marginal interest rate will be around 1.8% to 3%. In the second quarter of 2016, the yearly Euribor was at -0.33%, meaning variable rate loans could realize interest rates as low as 1.47%.
However, since negative bank rates tend to put banks in financial jeopardy, many lenders are now introducing fixed-rate mortgages. Rates for these products will vary with loan term, and currently, range from 2.4% for 15 years to 3.25% for 20 years.
COST OF GETTING A SPANISH MORTGAGE
If using a Spanish mortgage lender, you should allow up to some 15% of the total mortgage amount for various closing costs. Thus, if your property is valued at 120.000,00 euros and you can borrow 70% of this amount, you will need to have a 36.000,00 euros down payment plus up to 1.760,00 euros available for closing. Typical closing costs include the transfer and stamp taxes (explained below), the bank’s arrangement fee and opening fee, a notary fee and registry fee, and the bank assessor’s fee.
Property transfers in Spain are done through public deeds of purchase, which must be certified by a notary. The sale is not official until the notario signs using his firma protocolizada, for which fees apply. As soon as the notary certifies that all the documents are in order, the deed is ready for taxes.
Residential properties are subject to various Spanish taxes, which are all paid by the buyer at the time of closing. The transfer tax is 6–10% of the purchase price, depending on the property’s location. The stamp tax also varies by location and ranges between 0.75–1.5% of the purchase price. Sometimes the buyer pays the seller’s plusvalia tax which will vary based on the seller’s tenure in the transferred property. These are typically included in the mortgage closing costs, though they may need to be paid directly to one or more taxing authorities.
In addition, all Spanish residential property owners are legally obligated to have home insurance to cover the value of the property. Life insurance is not mandatory but many lenders require mortgagees to take out life insurance policies minimally sufficient to pay off the outstanding mortgage balance. You may also want to consider acquiring mortgage insurance to protect against default should you experience an unexpected downturn in your income. Having an active life insurance policy and a mortgage insurance policy before applying for a mortgage may even provide access to better interest rates from your lender.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS AND DEDUCTIONS IN SPAIN
Non-residents of Spain are liable to pay Spanish income tax and a potential tax on Spanish assets. If you spend more than 183 days in Spain, however, you may be considered a ‘resident for tax purposes‘. This will expose you to pay 21% tax on capital gains (if you sell your property) and a 24.75% tax on investment income earned in Spain (from rent, for example). You may also be subject to pay wealth taxes on your worldwide assets. If your assets are greater than 2.000.000,00 euros, you can be required to pay a tax of up to 2.5% of your total worldwide asset value.
In addition to taxing rental property income, Spain also levies a property tax between 1% and 2% of the property’s value per year, depending on location. You may also be subject to a special assessment of 3% per year for the right to own property in Spain.
The good news, however, is that Spain allows for deducting mortgage interest, repairs, maintenance, leasing fees, and up to 3% depreciation of the purchase price of a home.
BEFORE APPLYING FOR A SPANISH MORTGAGE
You will need a Número de Identificación de Extranjeros (NIE) which translates to "identification number for foreigners". This number is similar to a US Social Security number or a British National Insurance number. You cannot purchase property or execute a mortgage in Spain without an NIE.
If you’re in Spain, you can start the NIE application process at any local police station. Outside Spain, the best way to apply for an NIE is to contact your local Spanish consulate. When applying for an NIE, you will need the following documents:
· A completed EX-15 form Supporting document(s) to show why you need an NIE
· Copy of your passport pages and original passport
· Two passport sized photos
· 12 euros to pay tax form 790.
MORTGAGE AFFORDABILITY
Affordability of the mortgage iw worked out by the banks on an income to debt payment ratio.
They take all the information about debts, such as car finance, mortgage or rent if the house is rented and any other debt that is paid for monthly. They then calculate how much the mortgage will cost, which can be one via any online mortgage calculator.They then add the monthly debt payments to the cost of the mortgage repayment assuming it is given. This amount must be less than one third of the NET monthly income. So, lets say monthly debt is l ike this:
1. Mortgage 400 euros per month
2. Car finance 150 euros per month
3. Personal loan 100 euros a month
4. And the mortgage for the property is 1.000,00 euros
He total debt outlay per month would be 1.650,00 euros. So, to qualify for this mortgage, the borrower would need a net monthly income of 3 x 1.650,00 euros which is 4.950,00 (with partners income if done jointly) This income in net, income so after taxes. This is a simple guide. We can get a general decision from our mortgage broker partners for you be contacting your agent and sending details which we will pass on to out brokers who will in turn speak to you.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A SPANISH MORTGAGE
When applying for a mortgage for Spanish property, the best advice is to start early and shop around. While the official mortgage process can only start after a sales agreement has been reached, it is both possible and advisable to start developing your mortgage concurrent with your real estate shopping. There are many financial products available for non-residents, and the terms of any specific product may place limits on which properties you can qualify to purchase. Whether you go through a Spanish or an international mortgage lender, you will need – at a minimum – the following items:
· NIE number
· Proof of employment or income
· Copy of Passport
· A pre-agreement with the seller
· Proof that the property tax is paid to date
· Details of your current debts and mortgages
· Copies of all your existing property deeds (in Spain and elsewhere)
· Records of your current assets
· Any prenuptial agreements (if applicable).
Once you submit your completed file to the bank and the underwriters have processed everything, the bank will make you a mortgage offer. This may not be the bank’s ‘best’ offer, so don’t be afraid to take it to a competitor. Often the competitor will try to provide you a better offer – which you can then take to the original bank to see if they are willing to improve their original offer. While you don’t need to specifically pay to get a mortgage offer, advice or consultation, you may need to pay for a property appraisal, local attorney or Spanish translator (one who does not work for the mortgage lender). These can help you avoid being misled or pressured by ‘highly motivated’ sellers who may be willing to take advantage of non-resident buyers.
TYPES OF SPANISH MORTGAGES
Spain offers the usual lineup of mortgages, with expat-focused Spanish mortgages also being offered by international banks and Spanish banks. Many Spanish mortgages have no restrictions on purchase price or nationality, though there are products available that favour buyers from specific countries or that favour purchases of real estate in specific geographical regions.
The biggest difference between residential and non-residential loans is the maximum loan-to-value (LTV) which banks will allow. Residents can generally borrow up to 80% of the property’s assessed value whereas non-residents are limited to 60–70% LTV, depending on your Spanish mortgage type.
A particular nuance of seeking a mortgage for a Spanish property is that, subsequent to the Spanish housing market collapse of 2008, local banks have a bloated abundance of repossessed properties on their books which they are seeking to sell. In some cases banks might only be willing to provide a mortgage to foreign buyers for their own real estate listings. Thus your options for acquiring a mortgage may be closely tied to a particular property. The good news, though, is it may be possible to borrow significantly more of the property’s value – even up to 100% in some cases – when buying a bank’s repossessed property in Spain.
To calculate a rough guide to elegibility of finance you must add up all your fixed debt outgoings and add to that figure the calculated outgoings of the new mortgage. There is a mortgage calculator on our site. This figure must not exceed 35% of your net regular income. This is a very rough guide, and we can get a better idea if we put you in contact with a mortgage broker
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED OF MORTGAGE APPLICATION
NON-RESIDENT BUYERS
1. A copy of your Passport
2. Marital status, age, children etc. (married couples applying for a mortgage should provide information about both spouses)
3. Your last three salary pay statements or pension vouchers
4. The last tax declaration made in your home country (P-60)
5. If you are an employer or are self-employed, a copy of your tax returns and annual accounts for the last two fiscal years
6. Information about other properties owned fully or partly
7. Details of the property you are planning to buy
8. A brief description of current job situation, other incomes, investments, debts and other properties whether abroad or in Spain, etc.Information about any other sources of income
BUYERS WITH SPANISH RESIDENCE PERMIT
1. Copy of the residence permit
2. Marital status, age, children etc. (married couples applying for a mortgage should provide information about both spouses)
3. Your last three salary pay statements or pension vouchers
4. Details of the property you are going to buy (“Nota Simple”)
5. Copy of your last tax declaration
6. Photocopy of the last IBI bill
7. Information about any other owned property
8. Information about any other debts
9. Information about any other sources of income
10. Annual accounts for the last two fiscal years (if employer or self-employed)
GOLDEN VISA
You can obtain a Golden Visa by purchasing property, without the use of finance for 500.000,00 euros. You can purchase a property for more than this and use finance for the balance over 500.000,00 euros but the investment must be a clear 500.000,00 euros. There are many advantages in obtaining a golden visa for non EU citizens which are detailed below.
GOLDEN VISA ADVANTAGES
Fast-tracked. This law is specifically devised to attract affluent non-EU investors and helps to cut through the admin red tape greatly streamlining the visa procedure.
Travel Europe visa-free. You can travel without a visa for 90 days out of every 180 days within the Schengen Area, but you will still need a visa to enter EU countries outside the Schengen Area (for example the United Kingdom).
Clear rules. Initially 1 year (Residency Visa), then 2 years (Residency Permit), renewable indefinitely every 2 years. No need to become resident in Spain. You only have to visit Spain once to get or renew the Residency Permit. There is no minimum stay requirement, and you don’t have to become a fiscal resident or actually live in Spain.
Family included. You may get additional permits for your spouse and children under 18 years (or disabled children over 18). Same-sex partners inclusive. Dependent parents of applicant are now also included (extended family).
You may work in Spain. Spanish nationality (optional). This is a 2-year Residency Permit, not the right to permanent residency or a Spanish passport. However, it can lead to long-term Spanish residency after 5 years of continuous residence, and citizenship after 10 years.
Underaged children may study in Europe. Underaged offspring can live and study in Europe, in the company of your partner, whilst you work and earn money abroad.
Return on investment. Take advantage of Spain´s burgeoning real estate recovery. Low prices and cheap mortgages will not last forever, invest whilst you can.
We can arrange the paperwork with trusted lawyers and help you purchase you qualifying property or properties.
You must invest a net 500.000,00 euros but it can be via the purchase of more than one property. Email dominium.broker@gmail.com for more information.
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