It is a residence visa that allows non-EU remote workers to live in Spain while working for companies or clients outside Spain.

Non-EU citizens who work remotely and meet Spain’s income and professional requirements.

Remote employment, freelance work, or running a business that operates mainly outside Spain.

Applicants typically need to show a monthly income of around €2,500–€3,000, with higher thresholds if applying with family members.

Yes, freelancers and self-employed professionals are eligible if they meet the income and contract rules.

Buying off-plan means purchasing a property before it is built or while it is still under construction. You buy based on plans, brochures, and show homes.

A resale property is a home that is already built and previously owned. You can visit it, inspect it, and buy it directly from the current owner.

The main difference between off-plan and resale properties is that off-plan properties are new, modern, and under construction, with payments made in instalments. On the other hand, resale properties are already built, ready to move in, and require a one-time payment. Off-plan offers potential savings and customisation; resale offers certainty and immediate use.

It depends on your goals: Off-plan often has higher appreciation because you buy early at a lower price. Resale is better if you want instant rental income or a home to use now.

• Lower launch prices
• Modern design and energy efficiency
• Good appreciation potential
• Ability to choose layouts, finishes, or upgrades
• Payments in instalments instead of paying everything up front
• New-home warranties

No. You can open a non-resident bank account in Spain even if you don’t live there.

To open a resident account, banks usually ask for:

• Passport or national ID
• NIE (Spanish tax number)
• Proof of address in Spain
• Proof of income (like a work contract, a pension statement, or a tax return)

Yes. Most banks allow you to open a non-resident account before moving, which is useful for renting, buying property, or preparing your move.

Yes. Foreigners can open a non-resident bank account with just a passport and NIE.

It can take a day if the bank processes everything quickly. A few days if they need extra verification, or if you’re applying from abroad.

IBI is a yearly property tax set by the local town hall. It is calculated using the cadastral value, which is usually lower than the market value. Most properties pay 0.4% to 1.1% of the cadastral value per year. The exact rate depends on the town or city.

If you own a property in Spain but live abroad, you may pay the following taxes, which include:

• IBI (local property tax)
• Non-resident income tax
• Wealth tax, only if your Spanish assets exceed the regional threshold
• Capital gains tax when you sell the property

If you don’t rent the property, you still have to pay Non-Resident Income Tax (IRNR) as the government assumes your property could generate some rental income, so they tax you on a small percentage of the property’s value. Usually, this is 1.1% of the property’s assessed value, and you pay tax on that amount. However, if you rent it out, you pay tax on the rental income.

The taxes you pay depend on whether the home is new or resale: If resale:

• Property transfer tax (ITP) — varies by region, usually between 6 to 10%.

If new-build:

• VAT — normally 10%.
• Stamp Duty — usually 0.5%–1.5%.

Other costs may include notary fees, land registry fees, and legal fees.

There is no simple answer. It depends on:

• Where in Spain or the U.S. the property is located.
• Whether you live in the country or are a non-resident
• The type of tax (property tax, income tax, capital gains, etc.)

In general, Spain’s yearly property tax (IBI) is often lower because it uses cadastral value, not market value. However, Spain has more types of property-related taxes (like non-resident income tax and sometimes wealth tax). The U.S. usually has higher annual property taxes but fewer extra taxes for non-residents.

IBI is calculated by taking the cadastral value set by the government and applying the local tax rate decided by the town hall. Other taxes use different rules:

• Non-resident income tax: based on a percentage of the cadastral value of the property or actual rental income.
• Wealth tax: based on the net value of your assets.
• Capital gains tax: based on the profit when you sell the property.

Realista is a professional, independent home finder, specialising in the Costa del Sol, Spain. Realista will find the right property, in the right area, at the best possible price. We limit the number of people we help to ensure the highest level of personal attention to our clients. The company has an extensive network of agents, developers and private owners ensuring that clients save time and money in their property search.

It is a property search company. It finds the right property, in the right area, at the right price for those wishing to buy a home in the Costa del Sol area of Spain.

It saves people time – traditional agents sell property and only showcase what is on their books. To find the right property requires the use of more than one estate agent. Realista, however, provides a gateway to a network of agents and developers identifying the right fit to the customer requirements. It saves people money – it provides a single channel avoiding the need for costly viewing trips with more than one agent, and Realista’s expertise and knowledge of the market means that customers only pay a fair price for their chosen property. Realista is about working for people who want to buy a home in the sun. We find out exactly what people want and then use our network of contacts and expertise in the Spanish market to make the right match – often providing clients with essential pre-market information.

Realista has a substantial network of agents, developers and private owners. Those wishing to purchase a home contact us to outline and discuss the requirements. Realista then searches for suitable properties from its extensive network of contacts including searching pre-market sources. Properties are then short-listed and presented to the customer. A viewing trip is then arranged with Realista representatives accompanying the customer on every visit to provide advice and listen to feedback. If no suitable property is found, Realista will continue to search and provide update reports until the special combination of location, property and price is met.

Realista is free to the purchaser. It is the vendor who pays.