BackOfficial source
Escritura pública de compraventa - public sale deed
Online verifiedEscritura pública de compraventa
Who needs it
Buyer and seller of a property in Spain; the Escritura pública is the notarial act that transfers ownership.
When needed
On the day of purchase. All due diligence, financing, and tax preparation must be done before the appointment.
Where to get it
A notarÃa (notary office) in Spain; in practice, the buyer usually chooses the notary.
Timeline
Signing itself usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Registry inscription that follows can take several weeks.
Faster with Key4SpainCita previa
Yes; the notary appointment is booked in advance, typically through the lawyer or gestor coordinating the sale.
What to bring
- •Passport and NIE for buyer and seller
- •Proof of funds (bank transfer reference or bank-issued cheque)
- •Most recent Nota Simple from the Registro de la Propiedad
- •Certificado de la comunidad de propietarios (debt-free certificate)
- •Latest paid IBI receipt
- •Energy performance certificate (certificado energético)
- •Cédula de habitabilidad where applicable for the region
Common mistakes
- âš Arriving without all supporting documents (Nota Simple, IBI, comunidad certificate).
- âš Funds not pre-arranged (transfer not cleared or bank cheque not ready).
- âš Not engaging an independent abogado or gestor; the notary verifies legality but does not represent the buyer.
- âš Forgetting that taxes (ITP or IVA + AJD) and plusvalÃa municipal are due after signing.
What to say at the counter
We have an appointment for the signing of the escritura de compraventa. (Tenemos cita para la firma de la escritura de compraventa.)
Key4Spain service
Handling this via Key4Spain ensures 0% margin for error.