Most foreign residents in the Axarquía use a lawyer for three things: buying property, getting residency sorted, and making a Spanish will. All three are much cheaper to do properly than to fix later. Choose someone registered with the Colegio de Abogados de Málaga and independent of whoever is selling you something.
What it costs
- Property conveyancing
- €1,000–€1,800 or ~1% of price
- Spanish will
- €150–€350 including notary
- NIE / residency application support
- €150–€400
- Inheritance (succession) process
- €1,500+ depending on estate
- Hourly rate
- €100–€200
How to choose
- Verify registration with the Ilustre Colegio de Abogados de Málaga — you can check a colegiado number.
- Insist on a written fee estimate covering disbursements, not just the headline fee.
- Avoid using the seller's or developer's recommended lawyer for a purchase.
- For inheritance, act quickly: Spanish succession tax has a six-month filing deadline.
- A gestor is cheaper than a lawyer for routine paperwork (car transfers, padrón, tax filings) — use the right one.
Will they speak English?
English-speaking law firms are common along the coast; make sure the lawyer handling your file speaks it, not just the receptionist.
FAQ
- What's the difference between an abogado and a gestor?
- An abogado is a qualified lawyer who can advise and represent you. A gestor handles administrative paperwork — car transfers, tax forms, padrón registration — for a much lower fee.
- Should I make a Spanish will?
- If you own property in Spain, yes. A Spanish will covering Spanish assets costs €150–€350 and saves your heirs months of translation, apostilles and delay.