Expat Lawyer in Spain
Property. Visa. Tax. Inheritance. We handle the Spanish part of your life — in English or Spanish, wherever you live.
Get a free written analysis of your case
Email your questions to marialuisa@costaluzlawyers.es and our team gives you a free, personalised written analysis — you can attach any documents or forms. Once everything is clear in writing, we offer an optional free introductory call. The initial written analysis carries no fee; after it you receive a personalised closed quote before any engagement begins (international tax consultancy starts from €200 + VAT).
Email your case → marialuisa@costaluzlawyers.es · WhatsApp · Book the optional intro call
Quick answer — what does an expat lawyer in Spain do?
An expat lawyer in Spain represents non-Spaniards on local legal matters: buying or selling property (Nota Simple, conveyancing, ITP tax), residency & visas (NLV, DNV, Schengen, family reunification), tax (Modelo 720, Modelo 210, IRPF, wealth tax), wills & inheritance (Brussels IV, intestate succession) and family law (cross-border divorce, prenups). CostaLuz Lawyers is a Spanish-abogada-led firm based in Algeciras (Andalusia), serving clients nationwide in English and Spanish.
What we handle
Property Law
Buy, sell or refinance Spanish property safely
Nota Simple, conveyancing, ITP tax, mortgage review and off-plan disputes — the full purchase from offer to escritura.
Immigration & Visas
Residency that fits your life
Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, Schengen, arraigo, family reunification and work visas, with refusal-risk review.
Tax & Compliance
Spanish tax handled by a Spanish lawyer
IRPF, Modelo 100/210/720, wealth tax, corporate tax and double-taxation relief, including international tax consultancy.
Wills & Inheritance
Estate planning that crosses borders
Spanish will vs UK/US will, Brussels IV elections, probate and intestate succession.
Immigration lawyer in Spain
An immigration lawyer in Spain assists with residency permits, Spanish nationality applications, family reunification, appeals, Digital Nomad Visas, Non-Lucrative Visas, and investor-related immigration matters. Spanish immigration law changes regularly, especially following the 2024 immigration reforms, so obtaining updated legal advice is increasingly important.
Many foreigners initially try to handle immigration paperwork themselves or through a gestor. However, problems often arise with criminal record certificates, proof of income, overstays, tax residency conflicts, or consulate requirements. Delays and refusals are particularly common in Digital Nomad Visa Spain applications where foreign company structures are involved.
In our experience, international clients often need coordinated legal advice covering immigration, Spanish tax residency, property purchases, and family relocation together — not just form-filling services.
How pricing works
We do not publish per-service tariffs, because a fair fee depends on your actual case. Instead: you send your questions by email, we give you a free personalised written analysis, and then a closed, personalised quote agreed in writing before any work begins — never a percentage of your property value. The single exception is international tax consultancy, which starts from €200 + VAT.
Why CostaLuz Lawyers
- Spanish-qualified abogada — registered with the Ilustre Colegio de Abogados de Cádiz, nº 2745.
- English-native communication — every email, contract summary and call in English, or Spanish if you prefer.
- Written-first, no sales pressure — you get a free written analysis and a fixed quote before you commit to anything.
- Expat-focused — property, residency, tax, inheritance and family law for foreigners across Spain.
Where we work
Based in Algeciras (Cádiz), with experience across the Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz, Campo de Gibraltar, Marbella, Sotogrande and Tarifa, and remote-friendly for clients in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao and the Canary Islands. Nearly all Spanish legal work can be handled by power of attorney plus secure document exchange — no in-person visit required for routine cases.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Spanish lawyer to buy property in Spain?
Not legally — but a Spanish lawyer is the only party in the transaction whose duty is to you. The notary is neutral and the seller’s lawyer represents the seller. A buyer’s lawyer reviews the Nota Simple, checks for hidden charges, validates the contract and runs the escritura.
Can you handle my case if I don’t live in Spain?
Yes. Most expat work is handled by power of attorney plus secure document exchange. The POA is signed at a Spanish consulate or with an apostille; we then represent you locally.
What does it cost?
Your initial written case analysis is free. After it you receive a personalised closed quote before any engagement — no percentages on property value. The only fixed entry fee is international tax consultancy, from €200 + VAT.
What languages do you work in?
English and Spanish.
Are you regulated?
Yes — María Luisa de Castro is a Spanish-qualified abogada registered with the Ilustre Colegio de Abogados de Cádiz, nº 2745.
Ready to talk?
Send us what’s on your plate. You’ll get a clear written next step — even if you decide to handle it yourself.
Get a free written analysis of your case
Email your questions to marialuisa@costaluzlawyers.es and our team gives you a free, personalised written analysis — you can attach any documents or forms. Once everything is clear in writing, we offer an optional free introductory call. The initial written analysis carries no fee; after it you receive a personalised closed quote before any engagement begins (international tax consultancy starts from €200 + VAT).
Email your case → marialuisa@costaluzlawyers.es · WhatsApp · Book the optional intro call
CostaLuz Lawyers · C/ San Antonio, 3-5, Entreplanta C, 11201 Algeciras, Spain · Tel +34 919 499 342 · marialuisa@costaluzlawyers.es · Ilustre Colegio de Abogados de Cádiz, nº 2745.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work remotely from Spain on a Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)?
Under the strict letter of Spanish Consular law applied by most consulates, no, you cannot. The NLV is strictly for residing without conducting lucrative activities within Spain. The standard view is that working remotely from Spain, even for a non-Spanish employer or clients, constitutes a lucrative activity. However, this is one of the most frequently misunderstood areas of Spanish immigration law — what may appear to be a simple remote-working arrangement can raise questions during a renewal application if not properly assessed and structured from the outset. At CostaLuz Lawyers, we advise clients on whether their income source is compatible with the NLV, the risks associated with remote work for foreign employers, alternative residence options such as the Digital Nomad Visa where appropriate, and strategies for remaining compliant with Spanish immigration and tax regulations.
Who is eligible for the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)?
The DNV is available to non-EU citizens who are remote workers employed by a non-Spanish company, or self-employed professionals with clients mostly outside Spain. Applicants must prove at least three months of prior working relationship or activity, possess adequate professional experience or qualifications (a relevant degree or three years of demonstrated experience), and meet the minimum income threshold. A critical issue is proving that no more than 20% of income is derived from Spanish companies — a threshold requiring precise structuring for consultants and freelancers.
Does the Digital Nomad Visa offer special tax benefits in Spain?
Yes, but there is a crucial distinction. Remote employees (Cuenta Ajena) who hold a DNV generally qualify for the Special Tax Regime (Beckham Law) and may pay a flat rate of 24% on Spanish-sourced income for up to six years. Self-employed (Autónomos) holders do not automatically qualify — access requires official classification of the activity as entrepreneurial or of special economic interest to Spain, validated by ENISA. Without this validation, the self-employed DNV holder is taxed under the standard progressive regime. At CostaLuz Lawyers, we structure self-employed DNV applications with the ENISA criteria in mind, ensuring clients not only obtain the visa but also access the Beckham Law benefits where available.
Dealing with an inheritance in Spain?
We guide foreign heirs through the entire Spanish inheritance and probate process. Bilingual help across southern Spain since 2006.
Email María LuisaRead our Spanish inheritance guide
Client line (EN/ES): +34 919 499 342 · marialuisa@costaluzlawyers.es · Costaluz Lawyers — María Luisa de Castro, ICA Cádiz nº 2745.
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.
We always recommend personalised review by a qualified professional. For most of our services, initial personalised guidance is free of charge. Get in touch.