A 1975 Law will still affect UK property buyers as non-EU residents in Spain, for area close to the countries boarders and Military installations.
This piece of legislation is still in force and requires non-EU buyers of properties within range of strategic defence points or the Boarder areas to obtain a special permit from the Defence Ministry. The process can take months will need criminal record checks obtained in the UK plus a lot of form filling.
In total, the law impacts about 1,560 municipalities across Spain as it also applies to urban areas close to the Strait of Gibralter, the Bay of Cádiz, the Galician coast and Spain’s borders with France and Portugal.
The legislation states that future residents must apply for the Defense Ministry’s permit alongside documentation that includes a sworn translation of a criminal record certificate from their country, two photographs and a certified photocopy of their passport. The law was proposed within the context of the Cold War when Spain had not yet joined either the European Union or the defence alliance NATO, The application goes through the Captaincy General of Barcelona and processing has, until now, taken between two & six months.
A notary cannot issue the deed of a property to a foreigner without this documentation, a loan cannot be applied for as the banks will wait until the certification is in place.
Costa Esuri, Ayamonte, Canela (Excluding Beach area) are all affected by this legislation.
However there is light at the end of the tunnel, having completed the process for numerous buyers in conjunction with a trusted specialist property lawyer we can now expedite you through the process obtaining the certification within the fastest possible time. This is one of the great advantages ABCasa properties offers its clients, you are not just another sale for us, we take care of you every step of the way.