Completion day is often described as “signing at the notary,” but that one sentence skips over several steps that actually decide whether the day goes smoothly.
Before the signing itself
In the run-up to the appointment, final checks are usually confirmed: that outstanding debts have been cleared or will be settled at completion, that the purchase funds are ready and in place, and that the exact figures for the deed match what both parties agreed.
Who needs to be there
Both parties — or their legal representatives acting under a power of attorney — attend before the notary, along with the notary themselves. If a buyer cannot be in Spain on the day, a lawyer holding power of attorney can sign in their place, which is common for non-resident buyers.
What the notary actually does
The notary reads out the key terms of the deed, confirms both parties’ identities and authority to sign, verifies the funds have been paid, and formally executes the escritura publica — the public deed of sale — once everyone is satisfied.
Funds and keys on the day
Payment is typically confirmed via a certified banker’s draft or a bank transfer verified at or shortly before signing, so the notary can record that payment has genuinely taken place. Keys are usually handed over once the deed is signed and payment is confirmed.
What still has to happen afterwards
Signing the deed transfers ownership between buyer and seller, but full legal protection against a third party’s claim only completes once the deed is registered at the Land Registry — a separate step that follows completion day rather than happening on it.
Call us today on +34 919 499 342 or email marialuisa@costaluzlawyers.es to have a lawyer manage your completion day from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is completion day the same as the notary signing?
The notary signing is the central event of completion day, but completion also includes what happens immediately before it (final fund transfers, last document checks) and immediately after (payment, registration steps, keys), not just the signing itself.
Who needs to be physically present on completion day?
Both parties, or their legal representatives under a power of attorney, plus the notary. If the buyer cannot attend, a lawyer holding power of attorney can sign on their behalf.
What happens to the purchase funds on completion day?
Funds are transferred, typically via a certified banker’s draft or bank transfer confirmed at or shortly before signing, so the notary can confirm payment has genuinely been made as part of the deed.
Does ownership transfer the moment the deed is signed?
Signing the deed (escritura) transfers ownership between the parties, but full legal protection against third-party claims only completes once the deed is registered at the Land Registry afterwards.
What should I walk away with on the day itself?
A copy of the signed escritura, confirmation the funds have been paid, and the keys — with the registration process, which formally records you as owner, following in the days after.
Getting the keys is the visible milestone, but it is worth knowing the practical protocol behind it — see our guide to keys handover in a Spanish property purchase.
This content has been prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by María Luisa de Castro, a lawyer specialising in Real Estate Law and founder of CostaLuz Lawyers.
The information provided is general and indicative in nature. It should not be used as the sole basis for making professional, legal or investment decisions, and CostaLuz Lawyers assumes no responsibility for decisions taken solely on the basis of this content.
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