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Real estate law in Mallorca

At Resitax we are experts in real estate law in Mallorca, advising international buyers, owners and investors in all phases of the operation: from the legal verification of the asset to its transfer, with special attention to the urban planning, tax and registration particularities of the Balearic Islands.

Legal advice on the acquisition of real estate in Mallorca

The firm intervenes from the earliest stages of the operation and ensures that the client has all the necessary legal and tax information before assuming any contractual commitment.

The practice covers both asset verification and negotiation, formalization and closing of the transaction, including coordination with notary, registrar and financial providers.

Legal and urban planning due diligence before buying.

Verification of the registration status, encumbrances, easements, urban planning licenses and compliance with current regulations.

Review and drafting of the earnest money contract.

Drafting and negotiation of the preliminary contract, with the suspensive conditions appropriate to each operation.

Signing of a public deed before a notary.

Review of the notarial draft, representation of the client by means of a power of attorney when appropriate and assistance in the granting.

Tax analysis of real estate purchases.

Determination of the taxes applicable to the acquisition (ITP/AJD, VAT where applicable, municipal capital gains tax) and advice on the most efficient structure.

Property registration.

Management of registration in the Property Registry and follow-up until obtaining the final simple note.

Property registration status.

Verification of ownership, encumbrances, mortgages, liens and registered preventive annotations.

Urban planning status of the property.

Verification of land classification, licenses granted, possible urban planning violations and compliance with planning regulations.

Charges, encumbrances and limitations of use.

Comparison between physical reality, registry description and cadastral data; verification of the status of tax debts and the cadastral reference value.

Verification of licenses, certificates and documentation.

Identification of easements, party walls, coastal protection and any limitation on ownership.

Legal due diligence prior to purchase

Every real estate transaction in Mallorca presents unique legal and urban planning aspects that require rigorous verification before any contractual commitment. Due diligence is the foundation upon which the security of the transaction rests. Our firm conducts a comprehensive analysis of the property so that the client can make their decision with full knowledge of its legal status.

Legal and tax management of properties in Mallorca

Once the acquisition is finalized, the firm advises the owner on the optimal structuring of ownership and compliance with the recurring obligations associated with the property, whether for personal use, investment, or holiday rentals. The advice takes into account the owner's tax residency, the intended use of the property, the municipality's urban planning regulations, and medium- and long-term succession objectives.

Structuring the ownership of the property.

We analyze the most appropriate way to acquire and maintain ownership of the property, whether personally, through a company or other asset structure, taking into account its legal, tax and inheritance implications.

Formation of companies for the ownership of real estate.

Creation of the company when the structure advises it, including the drafting of statutes, shareholders' agreements and initial commercial compliance.

Recurring tax obligations of the owner.

Management and settlement of IRNR, Wealth Tax and IBI, as well as the periodic declarations of the non-resident owner or the company that owns the property.

Tourist or commercial operating licenses.

Advice on obtaining and maintaining the ETV license (tourist stays in homes) and other applicable authorizations in the Balearic Islands.

Renovations, building permits and urban planning legalization.

Legal support in renovation projects, urban planning licenses and relations with the local administration.

Registration, cadastral and urban planning regularization.

Correction of discrepancies between the Registry and the Cadastre and regularization of the legal status of the property.

Asset management and advice to resident and non-resident owners.

Optimizing asset value through efficient legal and tax structures, with cross-border guidance tailored to the holder's residence profile.

Property transfer in Mallorca

The firm advises the owner on the planning and execution of the property transfer, whether through sale, donation, or contribution to a company. The goal is to optimize the tax outcome of the transaction and coordinate the involvement of all professionals involved.

Sale of the property.

Legal preparation of the transaction, drafting of contracts and representation of the seller in the deed of sale.

Tax planning for real estate transfers.

Analysis of capital gains, determination of the optimal tax moment and management of the 3% withholding applicable to non-residents.

Lifetime transfer versus inheritance.

Comparative advice between lifetime transfer and inheritance, with analysis of their implications in both jurisdictions.

Donation of real estate.

Transfer of real estate assets optimizing the tax cost through Balearic civil and tax law.

Corporate contribution of properties.

Integration of real estate into corporate structures to protect assets and improve their taxation.

Family and real estate tax planning.

Tailor-made tax strategies designed to protect and transfer family real estate assets.

Transfer between family members or companies.

Coordination of efficient asset transfers, minimizing the impact of capital gains and transfer costs.

Coordination with notary, registry and buyers.

Managing relationships with notaries, registrars, tax authorities and tax advisors in the client's home jurisdiction.

Real estate law · Due diligence

Legal due diligence prior to the purchase of real estate in Mallorca

Every real estate transaction in Mallorca has unique legal and urban planning aspects that require rigorous verification before any contractual commitment. Due diligence is not an added formality: it is the foundation upon which the security of the transaction rests.

The firm performs a complete analysis of the asset so that the client can make their decision with full knowledge of the legal status of the property, without surprises after the transfer.

Property registration status

Verification of ownership, encumbrances, mortgages, liens and registered preventive annotations.

Urban planning status of the property

Verification of land classification, licenses granted, possible urban planning violations and compliance with planning regulations.

Charges, encumbrances and limitations of use

Coordination between Registry, Cadastre and physical reality

Verification of licenses, certificates and documentation

Identification of easements, party walls, coastal protection and any limitation on ownership.

Comprehensive support for real estate buyers

Five phases for a real estate transaction in Mallorca, from asset verification to registration, fully handled by the firm.

Real estate due diligence

Legal, urban planning and registration verification of the property prior to any contractual commitment.

Earnest money contract

Drafting and negotiation of the preliminary contract, with the suspensive conditions appropriate to each operation.

Public deed

Granting before a notary, review of the deed and representation of the client by means of a power of attorney when appropriate.

Taxation of real estate purchases

Settlement of taxes arising from the transaction and analysis of the optimal tax structure for the acquirer.

Property Registry

Registration in the Property Registry and follow-up until obtaining the final simple note.

Why trust Resitax as your real estate law firm in Mallorca?

At Resitax we protect your investments in the Balearic Islands by providing maximum legal security and a global perspective.

As a boutique firm specializing in international clients, we understand that buying a property goes beyond a simple legal process: it requires a coordinated strategy that protects your assets and optimizes your tax situation from the outset.

Comprehensive legal and tax advice

International specialization in real estate transactions

rigorous real estate due diligence

Absolute independence in the buying and selling

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about real estate law in Mallorca

Why is it essential for a real estate lawyer in Mallorca to review the earnest money contract?

In the Balearic Islands, signing this document legally binds the parties and usually requires a 10% down payment of the property's value. A real estate lawyer in Mallorca will conduct a preliminary audit or due diligence to check for encumbrances registered with the Land Registry, the validity of the occupancy permit, and the absence of any outstanding urban planning violations at the relevant town hall or the Territorial Defense Agency.

In addition to the property price, the buyer should budget for additional costs of between 11% and 15%. For new builds, a 10% VAT and Stamp Duty (Impuesto sobre Actos Jurídicos Documentados - AJD) are payable. For resale properties, Transfer Tax (Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales - ITP) is levied, and the progressive tax rates in the islands are among the highest in Spain. Our team of real estate and urban planning law specialists accurately calculates these costs to help you avoid any surprises.

The marketing of tourist accommodations on the island is strictly regulated by the Tourism Area Intervention Plan (PIAT). To obtain a Tourist Accommodation License (ETV), the property must be located in an officially designated tourist zone, have a valid occupancy certificate, comply with sustainability plans, and, if it is an apartment, have the approval of the homeowners' association. We manage this process as part of our property management and tourist licensing services.
Foreign investors who own property on the island must comply annually with Non-Resident Income Tax (IRNR), which is levied on personal use (imputed income) or on actual rental income. Additionally, depending on the asset's value, they may be subject to Wealth Tax based on their real estate holdings in the Balearic Islands. As real estate and tax lawyers, we handle your proactive compliance remotely.
Any donation or sale generates obligations for Municipal Capital Gains Tax and Personal Income Tax (IRPF). At Resitax, we structure estate planning and real estate transfer strategies using the advantages of Balearic civil law, such as "definition" succession agreements. This allows for the allocation of properties to heirs during one's lifetime with significantly reduced Inheritance and Gift Tax, neutralizing the tax impact.

Initial consultation on real estate law in Mallorca

The firm offers an initial consultation during which the client's situation is analyzed and the scope of the necessary advice is precisely determined, without further commitment.