Questions most people ask before they call.

No. Non-residents can purchase property in Spain without any restrictions. You will need an NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), a tax identification number. Monica's legal partners can help you obtain it before or in parallel with your search.

Budget approximately 10 to 12% of the purchase price in additional costs. This covers transfer tax (ITP, currently 10% in Catalonia for resale properties), notary fees, land registry, and legal fees. On new-build properties, VAT (10%) applies instead of ITP. Monica will give you a precise cost breakdown for any property you are serious about.

From accepted offer to signing the final deeds at the notary, typically 6 to 10 weeks. The process involves a preliminary contract (arras), mortgage approval if applicable, a title search, and a notary appointment. Cash purchases can move faster. Monica manages the full timeline so nothing causes avoidable delays.

The NIE is Spain's tax identification number for foreigners. It is required for any property transaction, opening a bank account, and most official procedures. You can apply at a Spanish consulate in your home country or in person in Barcelona. Monica's legal partners handle NIE applications as part of the buying process.

Yes. This is exactly what sets Monica apart. Beyond finding your home, she coordinates visa applications, school enrolment, utility setup, bank account opening, local registration, and can recommend trusted professionals for renovation or interior design. One contact, everything handled.

Absolutely. The majority of Monica's clients are non-EU nationals: Brazilians, Americans, British, and clients from over 30 nationalities. She has navigated every immigration route into Spain and speaks Portuguese, Spanish, and English fluently.

The Non-Lucrative Visa is for people with sufficient passive income or savings who do not intend to work in Spain. You must prove roughly 2,400 euros per month in income. The Digital Nomad Visa is for remote workers employed by non-Spanish companies, allowing you to work while living in Spain. The right visa depends on your situation. Monica's immigration lawyer partners will assess your case.

Ideally 9 to 12 months before you plan to arrive. Barcelona's best international schools, particularly for primary years, often have waiting lists, and the academic year starts in September. Monica coordinates the school search in parallel with the property search so both timelines align.

The most sought-after international schools include the British School of Barcelona, the American School of Barcelona, Benjamin Franklin International School, and the Lycée Français de Barcelone. There are also strong IB schools and local bilingual programmes. The right school depends on your children's ages, curriculum preference, and the neighbourhood you settle in.

Yes, particularly for primary year groups at the most popular schools. Some families wait one to two years for their preferred option. Monica recommends starting the school process as soon as you decide to move. She has established relationships with admissions offices that can help navigate the process.

Monica specialises in Zona Alta: Sarrià, Sant Gervasi, and Pedralbes, the neighbourhoods where most international families and high-net-worth buyers settle. She also works across Eixample, Gràcia, and other prime Barcelona areas. If a property is right for a client, she will work anywhere in the city.

In Spain, the selling agent's commission is paid by the seller, typically 3 to 5% of the sale price. Buyer representation is part of Monica's service at no additional cost to you. Her interest is in finding the right property at the right price, not in closing the fastest deal.

Absolutely. Monica has worked with clients entirely remotely. Video tours, digital document signing, and remote notary representation via power of attorney are all standard practice. Many international clients complete the full search and purchase process without visiting Barcelona until keys in hand.