Our primary area of expertise is Barcelona and its surrounding region, including Castelldefels and Costa Brava. These are the markets we know most deeply — the buildings, the neighbourhoods, the developers, and the legal nuances specific to Catalonia. That said, we have a strong carnet d’adresse across Spain. If a client is looking in Madrid, Valencia, Mallorca, or elsewhere, we can mobilise the right contacts and provide meaningful support, even if we are not the primary boots on the ground.

Yes, completely. Navigating Barcelona’s building permit system is one of the most time-consuming parts of any renovation — and one of the areas where delays most often occur. We manage the full licensing process: minor works permits, major structural licences, heritage building authorisations where required, and coordination with the Ajuntament de Barcelona. Our in-house architect has direct experience with the specific requirements of protected buildings, finca regia structures, and Eixample properties with ornamental ceilings. You will not need to engage a separate technical architect or gestoria for this.

It depends on the scope and the materials specified. A full renovation of a standard Eixample apartment — structural work, new installations, finishes throughout — takes on average four to six months from permit approval to handover. Custom or high-specification projects, particularly those involving imported materials, bespoke joinery, or protected building constraints, can run longer. We at Luxury Property Barcelona give clients a realistic timeline at the outset, not an optimistic one. For clients who need accommodation during the works, we can arrange temporary housing in Barcelona — serviced apartments or short-term rentals — so that the renovation period is as comfortable as possible.

Yes. Our in-house architect brings a design sensibility rooted in mid-century modernism and Noucentisme — the Catalan movement that championed Mediterranean clarity, fine craft, and restrained elegance. We can take a property from bare walls to fully furnished and decorated, with a coherent aesthetic that reflects both the building’s character and the client’s taste. This is not a standard package: every project is developed from scratch around the client’s brief.

The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is the tax identification number required for any property purchase in Spain. Without it, you cannot sign at the notary. The process involves an appointment at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence or at a police station in Spain, submission of specific documentation, and a waiting period that varies by location. Luxury Property Barcelona manages the entire process on your behalf — preparing documentation, booking appointments, and coordinating with our gestoria to ensure there are no delays that could affect your purchase timeline.

Yes. Foreign buyers can access Spanish mortgages, though the conditions differ from domestic buyers — typically a maximum of 60–70% loan-to-value, and stricter documentation requirements. 50% of foreign buyers in Barcelona buy via mortgage. We work with mortgage brokers and banks directly who specialise in non-resident financing and can introduce you to the right contacts early in the process. We also advise on the tax implications of financing versus purchasing all-cash, which can be a meaningful consideration depending on your residency status.

For a resale property in Catalonia, buyers should budget approximately 10–12% on top of the purchase price. This covers the Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales (transfer tax, currently 10% in Catalonia), notary fees, land registry fees, and gestoria costs. For new-build properties, VAT (IVA) at 10% applies instead of transfer tax, plus stamp duty (AJD) at 1.5%. Our advisory fee is separate and agreed in advance. We provide a full cost breakdown before any offer is made so there are no surprises.

Yes, and this is one of the most significant advantages of working with a buyer’s advisor who has been active in Barcelona for over a decade. Many of the finest properties in the city — particularly in Eixample, Pedralbes, and Sant Gervasi — change hands without ever appearing on a portal. They are sold through professional networks, notary contacts, and direct relationships with owners. We actively source off-market opportunities for every mandate we take on.

We charge a fixed advisory fee agreed at the start of the mandate, plus a success fee upon completion of the purchase. The structure is transparent and agreed in writing before we begin. We do not receive commissions from sellers, developers, or any third party. The renovation management fee is quoted separately based on project scope.

We do not pressure clients into purchases that do not meet their brief. If the right property does not exist at the right price at a given moment, we will tell you. We have had mandates that took six months to complete because the client had a specific brief and we were not willing to compromise on it. That is the nature of the service. You are not paying us to close a deal — you are paying us to find the right property.

Yes. At Luxury Property Barcelona we offer ongoing property management as a standalone service for our clients who choose to trust us with their investment. We work closely with trusted property managers in Barcelona who handle rentals, maintenance, and tenant relations. If you are purchasing as an investment — short-term or long-term rentals — we advise on the regulatory environment, including the current restrictions on tourist licences in Barcelona, before you make an offer.

With a private consultation — by video call or in person in Barcelona. We ask you to tell us what you are looking for, what your timeline is, and what your budget is. We then tell you honestly what is achievable in the current market and how we would approach the search. There is no obligation at that stage. If we are the right fit, we formalise the mandate in writing and begin immediately.