Bilingual French-Spanish lawyer in Málaga, specialising in property, binational wills, Franco-Spanish inheritance, taxation and disputes. Secure every procedure with a legal expert who masters both legal systems.
In Spain, property lawyer fees are capped at 1% of the property price. Whether you pick the least known firm or the most prestigious, you will pay the same price. Our partner firm is among the best on the Costa del Sol — why deprive yourself of the legal security of an excellent lawyer?
Consult our partner lawyer →In France, the notary verifies everything. In Spain, the notary authenticates the deed but DOES NOT VERIFY the seller's debts, the mortgage situation, unpaid community charges, town-planning compliance, or potential occupants. That is the role of the abogado.
Buying without a lawyer in Spain means taking the risk of discovering after signing that the property has €30,000 of unpaid charges, that part of the veranda is undeclared, or that an illegal occupant is living there. These situations are frequent and costly.
Our partner lawyer is bilingual French-Spanish, trained in both legal systems. They explain the issues in your language, negotiate with the seller in Spanish, and secure every line of the contract before signing.
From property purchase to wealth transfer, including taxation and any disputes. A single lawyer to follow your file over time.
Full verification of the title deed, debts, town planning and charges before signing.
Spanish will coordinated with your French will to avoid succession deadlocks.
Settlement of an inheritance involving assets in both countries — long procedures without support.
Asset settlement involving French and Spanish property — determination of jurisdiction and applicable law.
Unpaid rent, damages, eviction (desahucio) or defence against an abusive landlord.
If you cannot or do not wish to travel, the lawyer acts on your behalf across all procedures.
Extraction of the nota simple from the land registry (Registro de la Propiedad). Verification of the owner, mortgages, easements, charges encumbering the property. First eliminatory filter.
No-debt municipal certificate (IBI, taxes), up-to-date community charges, town-planning compliance of the property (any extension or renovation declared to the town hall), cédula de habitabilidad if required.
Drafting or review of the reservation/deposit contract (contrato de arras penitenciales). Conditional clauses, withdrawal terms, financing conditions. Key step to protect you.
Attendance at the notary on the day of signing the escritura pública, or representation by power of attorney. Final verification of payments, taxes (ITP or IVA) and registration in the land registry after signing.
Anonymised — no names, no identifiable data. To illustrate the added value of a bilingual lawyer in real expat situations.
French couple inheriting a flat in Marbella left by a parent. Without a Spanish will, the procedure would have taken 12 to 18 months and required French will recognition in Spain. With lawyer support: ISD declaration and settlement in 4 months.
Franco-Spanish couple with property in both countries. Setting up two coordinated wills (FR + ES) opting for French law over the whole estate thanks to EU Regulation 650/2012. Legal and tax security optimised.
French owner of a property in Estepona summoned by the community for disputed extraordinary charges (works). Lawyer challenges the decision at the AGM, negotiates a payment schedule and obtains a quote review. Savings > €8,000.
We selected our partner firm for its rigour, responsiveness and mastery of Spanish property law. Routine of working together = smooth coordination and zero loss of information.
Selected for its rigour and responsiveness. You speak your language at every step of the file.
Smooth coordination, no loss of information between our agency and the lawyers. Your files advance without friction.
Fees capped at 1% of the property price as everywhere in Spain. No overcharging.
Fees announced in advance, transparent quote up front, no hidden margin on procedures.
Free introduction service, offered to our clients and prospective clients. No commitment.
Detailed answers to the most common legal questions from French nationals settled or settling in Spain.
In Spain, the notary authenticates the deed but does not verify the seller's debts, town planning, community charges, nor potential squatters or occupants. The lawyer's (abogado) role is to conduct FULL due diligence before signing: land registry extract (nota simple), no-debt municipal certificate, up-to-date community charges, current tenancy agreements, town-planning compliance. Without this verification, you are buying blind. Our partner lawyers coordinate with the notary of your choice, at no extra cost to you.
Property lawyer fees are capped at 1% of the property price in Spain. It is the same rate everywhere, regardless of the firm — whether you choose the least known or the most prestigious. Our partner firm is among the best on the Costa del Sol. The introduction by our agency is free and offered to our clients and prospective clients. Transparent quote before any commitment.
Yes — it is even very common for expatriates. You sign a notarial power of attorney in France (at your notary), apostilled in The Hague and translated by a sworn translator. Our partner lawyer in Málaga then represents you for the NIE, opening a bank account, signing the deposit contract (arras) and even the public deed of purchase. You retain control of decisions, you avoid the trips.
Not mandatory, but STRONGLY recommended. If you own a property in Spain and pass away without a Spanish will, your heirs will have to get your French will recognised in Spain — a long, costly and sometimes blocking procedure. A Spanish will coordinated with your French will settles the succession of the Spanish asset in a few weeks and allows you to opt for French law (EU Regulation 650/2012) if more favourable.
The Beckham regime (special regime for displaced workers) allows new Spanish tax residents to be taxed as NON-residents for 6 years: a flat 24% rate on employment income up to €600k, and taxation only on Spanish-source income. Strict conditions: not having been a Spanish tax resident in the previous 5 years, Spanish employment contract, etc. The tax lawyer validates your eligibility and prepares the file.
IRNR (Impuesto sobre la Renta de no Residentes) is the Spanish tax on real estate owned by non-residents. Two cases: (1) property not rented = flat-rate annual taxation of approximately 19-24% on 1.1% to 2% of the cadastral value; (2) property rented = taxation on actual rental income with deduction of expenses. The return is annual (form 210). The lawyer coordinates with the tax adviser.
Depending on the nature of the contract (main residence LAU, seasonal, tourist), the remedies and timelines vary considerably. Eviction proceedings in Spain are longer than in France (6 to 18 months depending on the region and tenant situation). The lawyer assesses the situation, negotiates an amicable exit if possible, or initiates judicial proceedings. They also defend tenants facing an abusive landlord.
Free initial conversation, no commitment
Votre demande a bien été reçue.
Un de nos consultants francophones vous contactera dans les 24 heures.
Free initial conversation with our bilingual partner lawyer. Legal diagnosis without commitment, transparent quote announced up front.
Speak to an advisor contact@agenciamcspain.com