Sign a reservation contract and pay a deposit (typically €3,000–10,000). The property is taken off the market for the agreed period.
Compromiso de compraventa (Spain), promissory contract. Locks in price and terms. Buyer pays 10% of the price. Buyer withdrawal = loss of deposit.
Title check, encumbrances, debts, building permits. Carried out by the buyer's independent lawyer. A critical stage — do not skip it.
Escritura publica (Spain), sale deed. Signed before a notary, remaining balance paid. The notary certifies and submits for registration.
Registro de la Propiedad (Spain), Land Registry. Ownership officially transfers to the buyer. Takes from 1 day to several weeks.
Transfer of utilities, insurance, and if applicable — handover to a management company for rental.
Turkey, Georgia
N. Cyprus, Thailand
Spain, Greece
Portugal
Timescales are for standard cash purchases. Mortgage financing adds 2–4 weeks for bank approval. For off-plan properties, the process differs: payment by construction stages, key handover on completion.
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