Valencia has been attracting attention for years, but over the past two years, something has noticeably changed. The post-Brexit reshuffling, rising costs in the UK, and the cost of living in Valencia that still makes London feel absurd have pushed a wave of British buyers from “thinking about it” to actually doing it. The city makes sense on paper: international schools, direct flights, a functioning health system, 300 days of sun, and property prices that, while rising, remain far below those in Madrid or Barcelona. At Delaguía & Luzón, a Valencia law firm with long-standing experience advising foreign buyers, the volume of enquiries from British nationals has grown noticeably in recent years. The appeal isn’t hard to explain.

What is harder to explain, and what often catches buyers off guard, is the legal side.

The process is not complicated, but it has steps you can’t skip.

The first thing any foreign buyer needs is a NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), the tax identification number required to sign any property contract or open a bank account in Spain. You cannot complete a purchase without one. Delaguía & Luzón handles this regularly for clients arriving from the UK, either before they travel or once they’re here; it’s one of the first things the firm sorts out.

From there, due diligence matters more than most buyers expect. Spanish property can carry debts, unresolved inheritance claims, or urban planning issues that don’t show up on a listing. Delaguía & Luzón’s property team conducts a full check of the Land Registry (Registro de la Propiedad) and the catastral certificate before any client proceeds, not because problems are common, but because finding them early makes the difference.

On costs: buyers should budget an additional 10–12% on top of the purchase price to cover transfer tax, notary fees, Land Registry inscription, and legal representation. For new-build properties, VAT applies instead of transfer tax, which changes the maths.

The signing itself happens before a notary. Unlike in the UK, there’s no exchange/completion split; handover usually happens in a single act. Delaguía & Luzón attend every signing with clients, making sure they understand what they’re signing rather than just hoping for the best.

Post-purchase, foreign owners also need to factor in non-resident income tax obligations, even if the property isn’t rented out. Spanish law imputes a notional income on properties owned by non-residents. It’s one of the details the firm flags early, because most UK buyers aren’t warned until their first tax year.

Valencia is a good city to buy in. The market has depth, the lifestyle is real, and the legal process is clear and navigable. The problems tend to arise not from the system, but from going through it without proper guidance.

Report by ‘24/7 Valencia’ team

Article copyright 24/7 Valencia

Delaguía & Luzón has advised foreign nationals on property, residency, and tax in Valencia for over 30 years. English-speaking consultations available: delaguialuzon.com