Do you only work in Barcelona?

Our primary area of expertise is Barcelona and its surrounding region, including the Costa Brava. These are the markets we know most deeply — the buildings, the neighbourhoods, the developers, and the legal nuances specific to Catalonia. That said, we have a strong network across Spain. If a client is looking in Madrid, Valencia, Mallorca, or elsewhere, we can mobilise the right contacts and provide meaningful support.

Do you handle renovation licences in Barcelona?

Yes, completely. We manage the full licensing process: minor works permits, major structural licences, heritage building authorisations, and coordination with the Ajuntament de Barcelona. Our in-house architect holds full AICAT registration and has direct experience with protected buildings, finca regia structures, and Eixample properties with ornamental ceilings.

How long does a property renovation in Barcelona typically take?

A full renovation of a standard Eixample apartment takes on average four to six months from permit approval to handover. Custom or high-specification projects can run longer. We also arrange temporary accommodation in Barcelona for clients who need housing during the renovation period.

Do you handle interior decoration and furnishing?

Yes. Our in-house architect brings a design sensibility rooted in mid-century modernism and Noucentisme — the Catalan movement that championed Mediterranean clarity, fine craft, and restrained elegance. We can take a property from bare walls to fully furnished and decorated.

What does the NIE process involve for foreign buyers in Spain?

The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is the tax identification number required for any property purchase in Spain. We manage the entire process on your behalf — preparing documentation, booking appointments, and coordinating with our gestoria to ensure there are no delays that could affect your purchase timeline.

Can foreign buyers get a mortgage in Spain?

Yes. Foreign buyers can access Spanish mortgages, typically at a maximum of 60–70% loan-to-value. We work with mortgage brokers who specialise in non-resident financing and can introduce you to the right contacts early in the process.

What are the total purchase costs when buying property in Barcelona?

For a resale property in Catalonia, buyers should budget approximately 10–12% on top of the purchase price. This covers transfer tax (ITP, currently 10% in Catalonia), notary fees, land registry fees, and gestoria costs. For new-build properties, VAT at 10% applies instead, plus stamp duty at 1.5%.

Do you have access to off-market properties in Barcelona?

Yes. Many of the finest properties in Barcelona — particularly in Eixample, Pedralbes, and Sant Gervasi — change hands without ever appearing on a portal. We actively source off-market opportunities through professional networks, notary contacts, and direct relationships with owners.

How do you charge for your buyer's advisory services?

We charge a fixed advisory fee agreed at the start of the mandate, plus a success fee upon completion of the purchase. We do not receive commissions from sellers, developers, or any third party — which is what makes our advice genuinely independent.

What happens if you cannot find the right property?

We do not pressure clients into purchases that do not meet their brief. If the right property does not exist at the right price at a given moment, we will tell you. You are not paying us to close a deal — you are paying us to find the right property.

Can you manage the property after purchase?

We do not offer ongoing property management as a standalone service, but we can refer you to trusted property managers in Barcelona who handle rentals, maintenance, and tenant relations. We also advise on the regulatory environment, including current restrictions on tourist licences in Barcelona.

How do we begin the property search process with you?

With a private consultation — by video call or in person in Barcelona. We ask you to tell us what you are looking for, your timeline, and your budget. We then tell you honestly what is achievable in the current market. There is no obligation at that stage. If we are the right fit, we formalise the mandate in writing and begin immediately.

RenovationDecember 202510 min read

Renovating a Barcelona Apartment: A Realistic Budget Guide

A significant proportion of the best properties in Barcelona's prime districts are not move-in ready. The city's housing stock is old — much of the Eixample was built between 1880 and 1930 — and while the bones are often exceptional, the interiors frequently reflect decades of incremental updates rather than a coherent renovation. Buying unrenovated and renovating to your own specification is often the most cost-effective route to a high-quality property in a good location.

The Cost Ranges

Renovation costs in Barcelona vary significantly depending on the scope of work, the specification of finishes, and the condition of the building. The following ranges are based on our direct experience managing projects in the city.

Scope	Cost per m²	What's included
Cosmetic	€600–€900	New flooring, painting, kitchen & bathroom refresh. No structural work.
Full renovation	€1,200–€1,800	Complete strip-out, new plumbing, electrical, HVAC, kitchen, bathrooms, flooring.
High specification	€2,000–€3,000+	Custom joinery, premium materials, underfloor heating, home automation, architectural design.

These figures include labour and materials but exclude furniture, appliances, and professional fees (architect, project manager, structural engineer where required).

What Drives Cost in Barcelona Specifically

Heritage Protection

Many buildings in the Eixample and other historic districts are protected. This can mean that original features — mosaic floors, ornamental ceilings, façade elements — must be preserved or restored rather than replaced. Restoration work is significantly more expensive than replacement. Before purchasing a property with original features, it is worth understanding which elements are protected and what the restoration obligations are.

The Comunidad

Every apartment building in Spain is governed by a comunidad de propietarios — a residents' association. Any work that affects common elements (the façade, the roof, structural walls, the building's shared installations) requires approval from the comunidad. This can add time and complexity to projects that involve structural changes or modifications to shared systems.

Permits

Major works require a licencia de obras mayor from the Barcelona city council. The application process typically takes two to four months, and work cannot legally begin until the permit is granted. Minor works require a simpler comunicado, which is faster. Understanding which category your project falls into — and planning the timeline accordingly — is essential.

The Contractor Market

Barcelona has a well-developed renovation industry, but quality varies considerably. The best contractors are busy and typically booked two to four months in advance. Accepting the first available contractor, or choosing on price alone, is one of the most common causes of poor outcomes. We maintain relationships with a small number of contractors whose work we know and whose pricing we can benchmark.

Timeline

A realistic timeline for a full renovation of a 100–150 m² apartment in Barcelona, from purchase to handover, is seven to nine months.

This breaks down roughly as follows: one to two months for design and specification; a couple of weeks for permit securing; four to six months for construction; one month for snagging and final inspections. Projects that run over time almost always do so because of permit delays or because the scope of work was not fully defined before construction began. Both are avoidable with proper preparation.

Our Role

We manage renovation projects as part of our full mandate. This means we oversee the architect and contractor selection, review and approve the project specification, monitor progress on site, manage the budget, and handle the permit process. Our engineering background means we can engage with technical questions directly — we are not simply passing information between parties. For clients purchasing remotely, this is particularly valuable. You should not need to travel to Barcelona to manage a renovation.

Ready to begin your search?

A private consultation costs nothing. Tell us what you are looking for and we will tell you exactly how we can help.