Information on buying Property in Galicia

An increasing number of people are now considering buying a house in Galicia. The kind of property you will get depends on your budget, the location and whether or not you want to renovate. Below you will see some example of typical house styles in Galicia, although in truth you will find everything from art deco, to the rustic casa or farmhouse that every one thinks they would like to own.

Things to consider

• If you are serious about making a move, or purchasing a second property in Galicia, there are a few things you might be advised to consider before you set your heart on something you simply cannot expect to find. Research prices, locations, the level of local English speaking help you can obtain, availability and cost of builders and maintenance companies and, if you intend to rent, maid service. Also think about where you can buy your shopping, the nearest hospital and services to the house in question. (e.g. Not all properties have phone connections, few have a gas supply and some require their own septic tank which requires periodic empting.)
• Property prices in Galicia are not low. If, as many do, you expect to pick up a 4 bedroom house in a quaint town with the intentions of some minor renovation, do not assume prices will be on a par with those of rural France. Property in Galicia is not cheap. As a guide, assume a similar pricing for an equivalent house in the UK or USA. In the larger cities like Santiago de Compostela, la Coruna or Pontevedra, prices will be appreciably higher and will run into hundreds of thousands of euros.
• You can of course still get good deals, but these are found in the more remote locations outside the main towns and cities and nearly all require significant renovation or even rebuilding. This can however be very viable financially and those who choose this option often end up with a great house. This is something you need to discuss and specify with your Galician agent or house hunter.
• What ever you want to do regarding property purchase, ensure that you get some English speaking experts to help you. Ideally you need one individual to source a selection of suitable properties and a legal expert to get you through the paperwork. Trying to do any of this (especially the later) on your own is fraught with danger. In addition to the legislative differences between buying property in the UK or USA, Galicia has an additional range of difficulties related to a lack of registration and ownership, so buyer beware.

Click on any of the photos below to visit an English speaking estate agent in Galicia.