The Spanish process works differently from the UK one, and the reservation is one of the first differences you meet. A reservation contract takes the property off the market temporarily, so nobody else buys it while your legal and financial checks are running.
Straightforward enough, as long as you know what to look at.
What a reservation contract is #
A reservation contract (Contrato de Reserva) is a short agreement between you and the seller. It records that you are seriously interested, that the seller will take the property off the market for a period, and by when the next step happens.
That next step is usually the preliminary purchase contract (Contrato de Arras).
What you pay #
On signing you pay a reservation amount. In practice this is normally between €3,000 and €10,000 on a resale property, and sometimes more on new-build. It comes off the purchase price later and exists to demonstrate your intent.
What should be in it #
A good reservation contract is short but specific. Check that it contains the details of buyer and seller, a clear description of the property, the agreed price, the reservation amount, the deadline for the preliminary contract, and what happens if either party pulls out.
If any of that is missing, treat it as a signal to slow down.
If someone pulls out #
This is the main risk of reserving. If you withdraw, you normally lose the reservation amount. If the seller withdraws, you get it back, sometimes with a penalty on top, depending on the contract.
The exact terms are always in the contract, which is why somebody who acts for you needs to read it.
Where it goes wrong #
Have the contract reviewed by an independent lawyer, every time. Pay into the lawyer’s client account rather than directly to an agent or seller. Get the arrangements on price, completion and contents in writing. And do not treat reserving as buying, because the legal checks still have to happen.
CostaConnectUK tips #
Ask for a draft of the contract in advance and sign nothing without a legal review. Put every verbal arrangement in writing. And if something is nagging at you, that is usually a sign to wait rather than to sign.
In short #
A reservation is a sensible step in the Spanish process. It buys you time and certainty, provided it is set up properly. Think of it as an intermediate stage: the property is held, but you are not yet committed to anything final.
Last reviewed 2026-08-24
Want this checked against your own situation?
A 20 minute call with a specialist in the region you are looking at, at no cost to you.