About This Workshop

Buying property in Spain as a foreigner is a process full of steps that nobody explains properly until you're already in the middle of them. This cohort workshop walks you through the entire purchase journey from start to finish, in a small group (6–8 participants) where your specific questions get answered.

Whether you're at the "just starting to look" stage or already viewing properties, this session will save you from the mistakes that cost buyers thousands — and give you the confidence to proceed with clarity.

We cover the D.S.A.R. framework used by professional advisors, the real costs nobody puts in their listing, the tax differences between regions, and exactly what your notary appointment will look like.

What You'll Learn

1

NIE Number & Bank Account Setup

The non-negotiable first steps — what NIE is, how to get one from abroad, and why you need a Spanish bank account before making an offer.

2

Finding the Right Property: Due Diligence Before the Offer

What to check before you fall in love: cadastral references, building permits, encumbrances, community debts, and the seller's legal standing.

3

The D.S.A.R. Framework for Property Research

The professional approach to property due diligence: Documents, Situation, Authenticity, and Risk. What to request, what to verify, and what red flags disqualify a deal.

4

Offer to Private Purchase Contract (Contrato de Arras)

How the reservation deposit works, what happens if either party withdraws, and what must be in your Arras contract.

5

ITP, VAT, and the Other Costs Nobody Mentions

Resale properties: ITP (transfer tax) and how it varies by region (4–11%). New builds: VAT + AJD. Plus notary fees, Land Registry fees, and legal costs. Real budget examples.

6

Mortgage Eligibility for Non-Residents

LTV limits for non-residents, required documentation, how Spanish banks assess foreign income, and when to use a mortgage broker.

7

Regional Differences That Change the Numbers

Andalucía vs. Valencia vs. Catalonia vs. Murcia — how tax rates, IBI, and local regulations affect your real cost of ownership.

8

The Notary Appointment: What to Expect

What happens at the escritura signing, who must be present, what the notary checks, and what you walk away with.

9

After the Purchase: Registration, Utilities & Taxes

Land Registry registration, connecting utilities, modelo 210 for non-resident property owners, and the ongoing tax obligations.

Your Host

🇳🇱

Gino van der Heijden

Founder · Polder to Playa

Gino van der Heijden has spent over 20 years guiding Dutch and Northern European buyers through cross-border property and tax decisions. A former mortgage department director with experience across five languages and multiple European jurisdictions, he founded Polder to Playa to fill the gap between generic advice and genuinely useful guidance.

He has personally navigated the Spanish property system as both advisor and buyer — which means he knows where the official process ends and real-world complexity begins. His sessions are direct, practical, and built around the questions buyers actually have, not the ones advisors prefer to answer.

20+ years guiding Dutch and Northern European buyers in Spain
Former mortgage department director
Fluent in 5 languages (Dutch, English, Spanish, French, German)
Personally navigated the Spanish purchase process as buyer and advisor
Founder of Polder to Playa — cross-border property advisory

What Participants Say

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Testimonials from cohort participants will appear here after the first sessions. Check back soon — or be one of the first to experience it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What format is the workshop? ▼

The workshop runs online via Zoom for 3 hours with a short break halfway through. Each section includes a Q&A period. The session is recorded — participants receive access to the recording within 48 hours if they miss any part.

Why only 6–8 participants? ▼

Keeping groups small means your questions actually get answered during the session. Large webinars answer the average question. This workshop answers your question. When the cohort is full, registration closes — we don't add extra seats.

Do I need to have a specific property in mind? ▼

No. The workshop is designed for buyers at any stage of the process — from "I'm starting to look" to "I'm viewing properties next month." The content covers the full process from the beginning, so it's useful whether you've been searching for two weeks or two years.

What's included in the ticket price? ▼

Your ticket (€199) includes: the 3-hour live workshop, a recording of the session, and a written session summary with key frameworks and checklists. It does not include individual property review or personalised advice — those are available via our 1-on-1 consultation service.

What is your refund policy? ▼

Full refund if you cancel at least 7 days before the workshop date. 50% refund for cancellations 3–7 days before. No refund for cancellations within 72 hours — but we'll transfer your registration to the next available cohort at no extra charge. Email hello@polderoplaya.com to request a transfer or refund.

Is this taught in English or Dutch? ▼

The workshop is conducted primarily in English with Dutch support where needed. Gino is native Dutch and fluent in English — if a cohort is predominantly Dutch-speaking, the session may run in Dutch. This will be confirmed by email before the session.

How is this different from a 1-on-1 consultation? ▼

The workshop covers the process in depth for everyone in the group. A 1-on-1 consultation focuses on your specific property, situation, and questions — including reviewing documents, assessing risk, and advising on your particular deal. Many participants do both: the workshop first to understand the landscape, then a consultation when they're close to making an offer.