Buying a Property in Mallorca in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide

Mallorca is Europe’s blue-chip island market: a rare mix of pristine coves, protected mountain villages, Michelin-level dining, and year-round connectivity. Prime homes here, from sea-view villas to historic fincas, are limited by strict planning rules and geography, which is exactly why the best opportunities move quickly.

Buying real estae in Mallorca isn’t difficult, but it is detail-driven. You’ll need the right paperwork (NIE, Spanish account), disciplined due diligence (Nota Simple, community and tax checks, Cédula de Habitabilidad, energy certificate), and a clean notarial process to secure title without surprises.

At Mallorca Select, we specialize exclusively in high-end real estate from €3M upwards. For more than 15 years, we’ve helped discerning clients navigate this unique market with discretion and care. What sets us apart is not just our insider knowledge of every corner of the island, but the way we work: we only open our doors to serious buyers, allowing us to dedicate our full attention to finding the right property and guiding each client through every stage of the purchase.

This step-by-step guide distills how serious buyers succeed on the island: what to prepare, which documents matter most, and where pitfalls hide, drawn from 15+ years of on-the-ground experience at Mallorca Select.

Step 1: Apply for a NIE Number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero)

Your very first step in buying a property in Mallorca is obtaining a NIE number—your Spanish tax identification number. Without it, you simply cannot complete the purchase. You’ll also need it for almost every other financial activity in Spain: opening a bank account, paying taxes, setting up utilities, or even buying a car.

In Mallorca, you can apply for your NIE at the Oficina de Extranjería in Palma’s Polígono de Levante. You’ll need to book an appointment online, bring your valid passport or national ID (plus copies), and pay a small administrative fee of around €10 at a local bank before the certificate is issued. If you’re a non-EU citizen, you may also be asked to provide a notarized statement explaining the reason for your application—such as purchasing a property.

The process itself is usually completed within a couple of hours, but navigating the forms, payment, and online booking system can be tricky without some Spanish.

2. Open a Spanish Bank Account (Cuenta Bancaria)

Whether you're paying for your property in cash or financing it, you'll need a Spanish bank account (Cuenta Bancaria). This will be used to pay for the running costs of your property, such as taxes and electricity. When choosing a bank, it's worth looking for one that offers multilingual services, as this will make it much easier for you to navigate the banking system.

3. Check for Arrears

Before you buy a property, it's important to check that the seller is up to date with their payments. You should ask to see payment receipts to confirm that all taxes and bills relating to the property have been paid. If the property is part of a residential complex, make sure to check that the community costs have also been paid. Otherwise, you could be held responsible for paying them for up to two years after the purchase.

4. Obtain a Cédula de Habitabilidad

The Cédula de Habitabilidad is one of the most important documents to have when buying a property in Mallorca or Ibiza. This certificate confirms that the property has a correct installation of all electrical wiring and pipes and is therefore habitable. It is also based on the number of people that can live in the property. For example, per double room should be 2 people. So if you want to buy a property with 4 bedrooms, you should ideally have a Cédula de Habitabilidad for 8 people.

5. Get an Energy Pass

An energy pass is a useful document that shows the energy values of the property and has been mandatory for sales and rentals since 2013. Make sure the seller can show a valid energy certificate for the property.

6. Obtain an Escritura Pública

The Escritura Pública is a certified copy of the notarized deed of sale. This document proves that the property is registered in the land register and that the seller is the actual owner of the property.

7. Get a Nota Simple

The Nota Simple is an extract from the land register. It will give you insight into the mortgage debts, unpaid taxes, possible hereditary liens and rights of use, as well as the classification of the property (Urbano or Rustico). You can also find out the total square footage of the property, house or apartment in the Nota Simple. It is important to review this document before making a purchase to make sure there are no hidden surprises.

8. Sign a Purchase Contract and Option Contract

From a legal perspective, you can sell a property in Mallorca or Ibiza on a piece of paper. However, privately written sales contracts in Spain are not recommended as they have the disadvantage that the land register entry cannot be updated. It is always best to have the draft and final purchase contract drawn up by a notary and only sign it by a notary.

The option contract is a common part of a property purchase in Mallorca and Spain. In the option contract (Contrato de Arras), the final purchase price is recorded and a down payment, usually 10-15% of the purchase price, is agreed. After transferring the deposit, the buyer now has an agreed period of time to finally purchase the property.

9. Consult with Mallorca Select

Buying a property in Mallorca or Ibiza can be a complex process, and it's important to have expert guidance to ensure that everything goes smoothly. That's where Mallorca Select comes in. Our experienced team of real estate professionals can help you every step of the way, from finding the perfect property to navigating the legal and administrative processes. We'll work with you to ensure that you find the property that meets your needs and budget, and that the purchase process is as stress-free as possible.

If you're thinking of buying a property in Mallorca or Ibiza, we encourage you to contact us today to see how we can help. With our local knowledge and expertise, we'll make sure that your property purchase is a success.

By following these steps and consulting with Mallorca Select, you'll be well on your way to finding and purchasing your dream property in Mallorca or Ibiza