Power of Attorney to Buy or Sell Property in Spain
If you want to buy or sell a property in Spain but live in another country, travelling for every step of the process is not always practical.
A power of attorney allows a trusted person to represent you in the matters you have authorised.
This means the transaction can move forward without you having to be physically present in Spain at every stage.
What is a power of attorney?
A power of attorney is a public document signed before a notary that authorises another person to act on your behalf.
You are the principal, and the person representing you is the attorney-in-fact or authorised representative.
The document sets out what your representative is authorised to do and what falls outside their authority.
For this reason, its content should be tailored to the specific transaction.
When is it useful in a property transaction?
It is especially useful if you live outside Spain or cannot attend certain appointments or signings in person.
Your representative can carry out the actions included in the power of attorney, including, where expressly authorised, signing the purchase or sale deed before a notary.
This helps avoid unnecessary travel and keeps the transaction on schedule.
Do you lose control over the purchase or sale?
No.
Appointing a representative does not mean someone else makes the decisions for you.
You decide what they are authorised to do, for which transaction and within what limits.
For example, the document can refer to a specific property and define the actions your representative is allowed to carry out.
The key is to make the authorisation broad enough to complete the transaction, without including powers you do not need.
Can it be used for both buying and selling?
Yes.
A power of attorney can be used for either a purchase or a sale.
In both cases, the authorised powers must match the actions the representative will need to carry out.
This is particularly useful for buyers and property owners who live outside Spain and want to avoid travelling only to attend a signing or complete a specific procedure.
Are you thinking about buying a property in Spain?
If you are considering a purchase, you can start by viewing the properties we currently have available.
Discover our available properties.
Do you need a general power of attorney?
No.
Some powers of attorney are broad, while others are prepared for one or more specific matters.
For a property transaction, the authority can be limited to a particular purchase or sale.
This allows you to authorise only what is needed for that specific transaction.
Can it be signed abroad?
Yes.
If you live outside Spain, the document can be executed in your country of residence.
Depending on the country and how the document is signed, additional requirements may apply, such as an Apostille under the Hague Convention, legalisation or translation.
Before signing it abroad, it is advisable to confirm which powers must be included and what formalities the document must meet to be accepted in Spain.
This can help avoid having to repeat the process or delaying the transaction.
How long does it remain valid?
That depends on how it has been drafted.
It can be granted for a specific transaction, include certain limitations or remain valid until it is revoked.
Before signing, it is therefore important to review not only the powers you are granting, but also when and for what purpose they will be used.
What should you check before signing?
You should be clear about:
- who will represent you;
- which transaction they will represent you in;
- which actions they will carry out;
- which documents they will need to sign;
- and what limits you want to set.
A document that is too restrictive may prevent an essential step from being completed.
A document that is too broad may include authority you do not need.
Preparing it correctly from the outset helps avoid both situations.
Buying or selling from abroad does not have to be complicated
If you buy or sell a property with Vivee, we guide you throughout the transaction and coordinate the necessary steps with you, so you always know what needs to be done.
We also help organise the process when you live outside Spain and need to complete part of the transaction remotely.
