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This article forms part of the CostaLuz Lawyers blog and is published for general informational and educational purposes only. It was prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools and, before publication, was substantively reviewed and editorially approved by Maria de Castro, a Spanish-qualified lawyer registered with the Cádiz Bar Association under number 2745, founder of CostaLuz Lawyers and the person responsible for the editorial review of the published content.
This article does not constitute legal, tax, immigration, employment, estate-planning or investment advice and does not replace an individual assessment and the professional work of the appropriate CostaLuz Lawyers specialist. No action or omission should be based solely on this information.
Spain is a big country and most of its population is concentrated in the cities and on the coast. This together with a general exodus from rural to urban areas means that there are hundreds of empty villages and hamlets. Over the last few years, these abandoned sites have piqued the interest of investors. But can you buy an abandoned village in Spain? This article answers that question and tells you how to do it.
Types of abandoned villages in Spain
According to recent estimates, there are more than 500 abandoned villages and hamlets in Spain. Most of them are in the regions of Asturias, Aragon, Galicia and Castilla y León, often in mountainous areas or locations that are difficult to access.
Their state varies greatly: from villages in total abandonment with their buildings in ruins to others that are more like ghost towns with most houses still standing. Some empty villages have utility supplies while others have no electricity, gas or even running water connections.
Investor interest
In recent years, Spain’s abandoned villages have caught the eye of foreign investors, mostly from the UK, Belgium and France. But since the pandemic, interest has grown among Spanish buyers as well.
Their reasons for investing include:
- Search for peace and quiet – lifestyle preferences have shifted since Covid 19 arrived and many people now want to live in absolute tranquility. Abandoned villages are often the best place to find it.
- Property investment – many regional governments in Spain prohibit the construction of residential property in rural Spain, particularly in protected areas. Investing in an abandoned village gives developers the chance to build without the usual licence and permission issues.
- Tourism investment – quiet, natural areas have come into their own since the pandemic arrived and abandoned villages offer excellent potential for rural tourism in the form of hotels or self-catering establishments.
Check our free guide to buying property in Spain
Buying an abandoned village
As you might expect, buying an entire village isn’t an easy or straightforward process. Once you’ve located your chosen village, you and your legal team must do the following:
- Ascertain exactly what you can buy. Note that you can only buy privately-owned properties and those for public use, e.g. the village council hall or church, must remain public domain.
- Find out who owns each property – this part of the procedure could be long and arduous, particularly if properties form part of an inherited estate.
- Get your conveyancing lawyer to check all ownership titles and resolve any potential issues with property in the village.
- Investigate utility connections in the village. Note that it can cost tens of thousands of euros to take mains electricity and water to a remote location.
- Agree a price with all the owners. Expect to pay €50,000 to €250,000 for the village.
- Get an estimate for refurbishment and/or rebuilding. This is obviously the most expensive part of the process – allow for at least €500,000.
Hire the professionals
Buying an abandoned village in Spain involves complex legal procedures, many of which have the potential to go wrong. To ensure they don’t, hire a professional team of lawyers with expertise in conveyancing.
At Costaluz Lawyers, we have been helping foreigners buy property in Spain for over 15 years. Get in touch for a free consultation and to find out how we can help you.
Legal Notice: The content on this page is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. No action should be taken based solely on this content without first seeking independent professional legal counsel. Each case requires individual assessment based on its specific circumstances. CostaLuz Lawyers accepts no liability for actions taken or not taken based on this content.
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Related guide: our complete legal guide to buying property in Spain.
Ola eu procuro um terreno de quinta Abandonada com bastante quantidade de terreno para cultivo e tratare Animais, caso tenga algo podeme mandare
Glacias
Olá! Se está à procura de uma quinta abandonada com bastante terreno para cultivo e criação de animais, recomendo entrar em contato com agentes imobiliários locais especializados em propriedades rurais. Eles poderão oferecer opções disponíveis que atendam às suas necessidades. Além disso, estaremos encantados de ajudar com todas as questões legais relacionadas. Caso precise de mais orientações, ficarei feliz em ajudar!
Olá! Ficamos felizes em saber do seu interesse. Podemos ajudá-lo a encontrar agências imobiliárias de confiança para localizar o terreno que procura. Além disso, nós cuidaremos de todas as questões legais relacionadas à compra e uso do terreno. Se precisar de mais informações ou assistência, estamos à disposição! Glacias!