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Guide – Shopping in Spain from Kuwait: What You Need to Know

Buy, Real Estate

Residency in Kuwait, income from outside the EU, financing, and procedures: the real challenges and solutions for making your Spanish real estate project a reality from Kuwait.

By the Terreta Spain team · Updated April 2026 · 8-minute read

Can you buy property in Spain from Kuwait?

Yes, you can invest in an apartment or a house in Spain from Kuwait without any restrictions and without even having to travel there.

Spain imposes no restrictions on property purchases by non-residents, regardless of their nationality or country of residence. A Kuwaiti resident, a French expatriate, a U.S. citizen, or a person of any other nationality may freely purchase a house, an apartment, or land in Spain.

The good news: Spain is one of the European real estate markets most open to international buyers.

The only requirements for purchasing property in Spain from Kuwait are administrative in nature:

Obtain an NIE (Spanish tax identification number).
Have a Spanish bank account for paying local taxes.

Both of these approaches can be carried out remotely with the right support. We’ll come back to this later.

Some important details

The Spanish “Golden Visa,” which allowed applicants to obtain a residence permit in exchange for a real estate investment of at least €500,000, was abolished in April 2025. It therefore no longer serves as a pathway to entry for non-EU buyers. If the goal is to live in Spain, other options exist (non-lucrative visa, digital nomad visa, etc.); this is a separate matter from the property purchase itself.

How can I secure financing from Kuwait?

A resident of Kuwait can obtain a mortgage in Spain from banks that specialize in non-resident clients, such as CaixaBank, HolaBank, or Sabadell International, with a minimum down payment of 30% to 40%.

This is the most complex issue, and this is where the quality of support makes all the difference.

Spanish banks provide financing to non-residents, but under terms that differ significantly from those applied to residents. For a Kuwaiti investor, the rules of the game are as follows:

Maximum ownership share for non-residents: 60–70% vs. 80% for Spanish residents
Minimum down payment: 30–40% + closing costs (10–12% of the purchase price)
Maximum duration: 20–25 years, often limited by age (maximum age of 70 at the end)

Option 1: A Spanish mortgage

Several Spanish banks (Sabadell, CaixaBank, UCI, Santander International, etc.) have divisions dedicated to non-residents.

The application process is more rigorous, but it is entirely possible to obtain a Spanish loan: you must provide translated and apostilled proof of income, bank statements for the past 12 months, and often a tax return from your country of residence.

The Terreta Advantage: Our teams at specialize in assisting non-resident buyers, and can connect you with a broker who specializes in financing for non-residents. Contact us.

Option 2: Securities-backed lending (or Lombard loans) and asset pledging

It’s the smart move. For buyers with a substantial financial portfolio—including life insurance, stocks, and bonds— securities-backed lending is often the most effective solution.

Here’s how it works: your international private bank or asset manager provides you with a loan secured by your investment portfolio. You then use these funds to finance your purchase in Spain, either in cash or as a supplement to a mortgage. This means the loan is not handled by a Spanish bank, but by the institution that already manages your assets.

Mechanics

For every €100 of collateralized financial assets, the bank typically lends €60 to €70. If the value of the assets falls below a certain threshold, a margin call may be triggered, and the bank may then liquidate a portion of the assets. For an investor looking to diversify their portfolio, this is often an acceptable outcome.

Potential tax benefit: You retain your assets, avoid capital gains tax, and finance your real estate investment in Spain.

Option 3: Cash Purchase

For budgets ranging from €500,000 to €2 million, cash purchases remain common among international buyers. This approach drastically simplifies the process (no banks, no financing delays) and provides a clear advantage in negotiations.

Please note: Transferring funds from Kuwait to Spain is legal but must be properly documented (source of funds, bank statements); Spanish notaries and banks strictly enforce anti-money laundering regulations.

Good tip: Prepare a “source of funds” file in advance, including bank statements, proof of asset sales, pay stubs, or proof of income. This will significantly speed up the signing process at the notary’s office.

Administrative procedures

NIE: How do I get one from Kuwait?

The NIE (Foreigners’ Identification Number) is the tax identification number required for any notarial deed in Spain. Without an NIE, it is impossible to sign a purchase agreement, open a Spanish bank account, or pay local taxes.

ROUTE	WHERE	DEADLINE	PRACTICALITY
Spanish Embassy in Kuwait	Kuwait	2–6 weeks	RECOMMENDED
In person in Spain (police station)	Spain	1–3 weeks	EFFECTIVE
Through an attorney with power of attorney	Remotely	3–8 weeks	PRACTICAL BUT SLOWER

Steps to obtain your NIE from Kuwait

Gather the following documents: a valid passport, Form EX-15 (NIE), and proof of purpose (a preliminary sales agreement or a letter of intent to purchase is sufficient)
Make an appointment at the Spanish Embassy in Kuwait; wait times vary, so plan for 4 to 6 weeks
Submit the application in person or through an attorney authorized by a notarized power of attorney
Receiving your NIE by mail or picking it up in person
Opening a Spanish bank account (possible with your NIE, passport, and supporting documents)

Practical information:

The Spanish Embassy in Kuwait is located in Surra (Kuwait City).

Address: Surra, Block 3, St. 14, Bldg. 19, Safat 13083, Kuwait City.
Phone: +965 25345398 / 25325828 / 25325829.
Email: emb.kuwait@maec.es.

Platform for scheduling an appointment to obtain your NIE directly in Spain: https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/pagina/index/directorio/icpplus

Terreta Spain’s recommendation: Hire a Spanish lawyer or, better yet, your Terreta Spain agent from the very start of the project to handle the NIE application on your behalf. This will allow you to begin the process while you’re still searching for a property, without having to travel specifically to handle the paperwork.

The power of attorney can also authorize your Terreta Spain agent to sign the preliminary agreement and even the final deed on your behalf. This is ideal for buying a property without having to travel.

The TIE: If you're planning to move to Spain

If your plans change—for example, if what is currently a second home becomes your primary residence in a few years—an additional document will be required: the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, the identity card for non-European foreigners).

This applies to individuals who spend more than 6 months a year in Spain. For Kuwaiti nationals, it is mandatory once you become a resident of Spain.

This document contains your personal information, your photo, your fingerprints, and your NIE number. It is valid for 5 years.

To get it:

Have a valid NIE
Make an appointment with the Spanish National Police
Fill out form EX-17
Pay a tax of €12 to €15 using Form 790, code 012
Provide proof of status (visa, residence permit, financial resources)
Have your documents translated by a certified translator if necessary

The application must be submitted within 30 days of your arrival in Spain.

In summary: You need an NIE to buy property in Spain. You need a TIE if you decide to live there. For a remote purchase from Kuwait— whether for a second home or a rental investment—only the NIE is required initially.

Spanish Taxes: What You'll Pay Based on Your Situation

Owning property in Spain without residing there creates tax obligations in Spain, even if you do not receive any rent.

Starting Point: The Kuwait–Spain Tax Treaty: What You Need to Know

There is a tax treaty between Kuwait and Spain (signed in 2008) aimed at preventing double taxation. It helps determine which country has the authority to tax each type of income and prevents you from being taxed twice on the same income streams.
However, a key point: this treaty does not eliminate the tax. It all depends on your tax residency. If you become a Spanish tax resident, Spain may tax your entire worldwide income. If you remain a resident of Kuwait, certain income related to Spain—particularly real estate income—remains taxable in Spain.

To get a clear picture of your situation, it’s important to work with a tax specialist who specializes in international clients. We recommend Delaguía y Luzón, with whom we work regularly. Contact us.

Today: if you remain a resident of Kuwait

Owning property in Spain without residing there creates tax obligations in Spain, even if you do not receive any rent.

As a non-EU resident, you are subject to the IRNR (Impuesto sobre la Renta de No Residentes) at a rate of 24%, compared to 19% for EU residents. This tax applies in two ways depending on how the property is used:

If the property is rented out: the tax is calculated based on gross rental income, with no option to deduct expenses (unlike for Spanish or European residents). This is an important factor to consider when calculating your return on investment.
If the property remains vacant: a flat-rate tax is still due, calculated based on a theoretical rental value ( the “renta imputada”), which is generally 1.1% or 2% of the property’s assessed value, taxed at a rate of 24%. For a property with an assessed value of €200,000, this amounts to approximately €440 to €880 per year.

In addition, there is the local property tax (IBI, Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles), which is equivalent to the French property tax and is due annually regardless of the owner’s place of residence.

You become a Spanish resident

If your plans involve making Spain your primary residence, the tax situation changes dramatically. Spain will become your country of tax residence as soon as you spend more than 183 days there per year, and your worldwide income will be subject to taxation: rental income, dividends, pensions, and capital gains.

The Beckham Law is worth considering; this optional scheme allows new Spanish residents to be taxed at a flat rate of 24% for six years on their income from Spanish sources, subject to strict conditions (notably, no Spanish residency in the previous five years). For high-income earners, it is worth running a thorough simulation before moving to Spain.

Terreta Spain’s recommendation: For investors planning to reside in Spain for 6–8 years, conducting a prospective tax analysis before purchasing allows you to optimize the investment structure from the outset. We work with bilingual French-Spanish tax firms to assist with this type of case. Contact us.

Typical profile: an expatriate in Kuwait preparing to return to Europe

This profile is fictional, but it reflects real-life situations that we regularly assist with in the Middle East.

Pierre & Marine C. Consultants
Based in Kuwait for the past 8 years, with two children attending school there.

Annual income: ~€220,000 (exempt from local taxes)
Available savings: ~€800,000
Project: Purchase of a 180–220 m² villa on the Northern Costa Blanca
Budget: €900,000 – €1.3 million
Current plan: a second home now, a primary residence in 6 to 8 years

Their practical challenges

Behind a “traditional” real estate project, there are specific constraints:

Getting their application approved by a Spanish bank
High income but no local taxes or standard pay stubs → need to provide solid proof of income
Planning for a Return to a European Tax Residence
Transition from a tax-exempt jurisdiction (Kuwait) to a European tax system → significant impact expected (Spain or France)
Planning the Transfer
Planning for the transfer of assets to children in a cross-border context
Managing a property remotely for several years
Secondary use + potential rental + maintenance
Streamlining the administrative process
Obtaining the NIE for both spouses prior to signing, coordination between the notary, bank, and tax advisor

What this means in practice

This type of case does not pose a creditworthiness issue, but rather a clarity issue:
It is necessary to translate a “non-European” financial situation into the Spanish banking and tax framework.

That is precisely what makes the difference between an application being rejected… and one being approved.

Our role

This is exactly the kind of project Terreta Spain organizes:

connections with banks that are familiar with Middle Eastern candidates
Upfront tax planning (relocation to Europe, income structuring)
streamlining administrative and legal procedures

Objective: to transform a complex situation into a clear, understandable, and fundable proposal.

Why choose Terreta Spain for a purchase from Kuwait?

Investing from the Middle East is not the same as investing from Paris or Brussels. The challenges are different: tax-exempt income that is difficult for a Spanish bank to verify, the need for a banking network accustomed to dealing with international clients, and managing the property from 5,000 kilometers away.

We are very familiar with this field. We work with banking contacts who specialize in non-EU residents, particularly for cases involving Kuwaiti income, and with bilingual French-Spanish tax firms capable of handling the international aspects of your project.

What we actually do:

Selection of properties based on your criteria and investment plan. Property inspections and administrative and legal due diligence prior to purchase.
Profitability Analysis and Prospective Tax Simulation
Preparation of the financing package with our specialized banking partners
Post-purchase support: rental management, repairs, and even resale

Are you interested in investing in Spain from Kuwait or elsewhere? We can help you identify the best opportunities and structure your investment in Europe.

Contact us for personalized support.

Explore our opportunities in Spain

And for more information, check out our resources:

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to make a purchase in Spain without ever traveling there from Kuwait?

Yes. With a power of attorney (poder notarial) granted to a lawyer or your Terreta Spain agent, all steps can be handled remotely: obtaining the NIE, opening a bank account, signing the loan agreement, and signing the documents at the notary’s office. We do this regularly for our clients in the Middle East.

Can a Spanish bank provide financing to a resident of Kuwait?

Yes, but the requirements are more stringent than for European residents. Some Spanish banks, such as Sabadell and CaixaBank (HolaBank), have divisions dedicated to non-residents. The main challenge for residents of Kuwait is documenting their income; since it is often exempt from local taxes, it can be difficult to assess its value under European standards. A specialized broker makes all the difference.

Can funds be transferred from Kuwait to Spain without restrictions?

Yes. Bank transfers are permitted. However, Spanish banks may request supporting documentation (proof of the source of funds, contracts, statements), and certain amounts must be reported. The transfer is not subject to tax.

Do Spanish banks recognize tax-exempt income in Kuwait?

Yes, if they are properly documented. But being exempt locally does not mean being exempt in Spain. If you are a Spanish tax resident, this income may be taxable, except in specific situations such as the Beckham Law.

How much money do you need to buy property in Spain from Kuwait?

At least 30% to 40% of the property’s price, plus closing costs (10% to 12% of the price: property transfer tax, notary fees, registration fees, and real estate agent’s commission). For a property priced at €500,000, you should therefore expect to have a down payment of at least €200,000 to €260,000.

Is the Spanish Golden Visa still available?

No. The Spanish Golden Visa program, which allowed individuals to obtain a residence permit in exchange for a real estate investment of at least €500,000, was discontinued in April 2025. If your goal is to reside in Spain, other options are available: non-lucrative visa, digital nomad visa, etc. Purchasing real estate remains possible and unrestricted, but it no longer automatically entitles you to a residence permit.

How do I obtain an NIE from Kuwait?

There are two main options: go through the Spanish Embassy in Kuwait City (4 to 6 weeks by appointment) or hire a Spanish lawyer to obtain the NIE through a notarized power of attorney. We recommend the second option so you can start the process while you’re still looking for a property, without having to wait for a consular appointment.

What is a Lombard loan, and is it available in Kuwait?

A Lombard loan, also known as securities-backed lending or a Lombard loan outside of France and Switzerland, allows you to borrow against financial assets (life insurance policies, stocks, bonds) without having to sell them. Your international private bank typically lends 60 to 70% of the value of the pledged assets. This facility is available in Kuwait through the major international private banks operating in the region. You then use these funds to finance the purchase in Spain. This is a solution particularly well-suited for expatriates in Kuwait with significant financial assets: it avoids triggering capital gains tax upon the sale of the assets while financing the real estate.

Is there a tax treaty between Kuwait and Spain?

Yes. A tax treaty exists between Kuwait (the UAE) and Spain to prevent double taxation. It was signed in 2008 and allows for the allocation of taxing rights between the two countries, thereby preventing double taxation on the same income.
However, it does not allow you to avoid paying taxes: tax residency remains the determining factor. A Spanish tax resident is taxed in Spain on their worldwide income, while a non-resident remains subject to tax in Spain on income derived from Spanish sources (such as rental income).

What are the tax implications for a Kuwaiti resident who purchases real estate in Spain?

Several levels of taxation come into play. In Spain, all non-EU residents are subject to the 24% IRNR tax on rental income if the property is rented out, or on a theoretical basis (the “renta imputada”) if it remains vacant. Local property tax (IBI) is due annually. If you eventually become a Spanish resident, Spain will tax your worldwide income; the Ley Beckham may be advantageous depending on your income level, and the timing of the property’s resale will have a direct impact on capital gains tax. This matter warrants a personalized tax assessment before any decision is made.

How long does it take to make a purchase in Spain from Kuwait?

On average, it takes between 3 and 6 months for a well-prepared application with financing. Without financing (cash purchase), the process can take as little as 6 to 10 weeks from signing the deposit agreement to the final deed. Obtaining the NIE and putting together the banking application are often the most time-consuming steps, which is why it’s best to start them as early as possible—ideally even before you’ve found the property.

Does Terreta Spain only assist French nationals in Kuwait?

No. We assist anyone wishing to buy property in Spain from the Middle East, regardless of their nationality—whether French, Kuwaiti, British, American, etc. Our team speaks French, Spanish, English, and Dutch.

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