A poder notarial (power of attorney) is a legal document that authorises another person to act on your behalf in Spain. For property transactions, buyers who cannot be present in Spain for every step often grant power of attorney to their lawyer, allowing the lawyer to sign contracts, complete the escritura, pay taxes, and handle registration. Powers of attorney can be general (covering a broad range of actions) or specific (limited to a particular transaction). For property purchases, a specific power of attorney is recommended to limit the scope of authority. The document must be notarised, either at a Spanish notary or at a notary in your home country with an apostille and sworn translation. If granted abroad, the Spanish consulate can also notarise it. The cost of a poder notarial in Spain is typically 50 to 150 EUR. It is essential that the power of attorney is drafted carefully to cover all necessary actions, including signing the escritura, paying taxes, connecting utilities, and registering the property. Powers of attorney can be revoked at any time.
Poder Notarial (Power of Attorney) — Spanish Property Glossary
Frequently Asked Question
Do I need a power of attorney to buy property in Spain?
Not if you attend all signings in person. However, granting power of attorney to your lawyer allows them to handle the purchase process on your behalf if you cannot travel to Spain for each step.