Savills Opens London Spanish Property Desk — What Buyers and Investors Must Know

Savills bets on Spanish property with a new London desk

Savills has opened a London-based residential Spanish desk within its global residential division, a move that tightens the link between the UK capital and the Spanish housing market. The appointment of Maria Santurio to head the desk is explicit: she will “support both international and domestic buyers and help position Savills as the go-to agency for those looking to purchase property in Spain,” according to her statement. Odge Davey, head of international sales at Savills, called the new desk “an important and natural next step” for the firm's global residential business.

If you are tracking property Spain opportunities, this is not a small administrative tweak. It signals a deliberate strategy to serve buyers based in financial centres such as London while deepening on-the-ground coverage in Spain. In our analysis, this shifts how international buyers will access listings, advice and transaction support for Spanish real estate.

Why Savills created a London-based Spanish desk

Savills is an international brokerage with established residential operations across multiple markets. Creating a dedicated Spanish desk in London accomplishes several objectives:

• It centralises Spanish property expertise for UK-based and international clients in a major financial hub.
• It gives buyers a single point of contact who understands both London client expectations and Spanish market practices.
• It signals to investors that Savills is prioritising the Spanish market within its global offering.

Maria Santurio’s remit is to deepen Savills’ presence across Spanish residential markets while supporting clients from around the world. The firm framed the move as an answer to growing interest from international buyers in Spanish real estate, particularly those who seek advice and transaction support from a London base.

Why that matters: many buyers prefer to start their purchase journey at home with advisers they trust and then execute transactions abroad. A London-based Spanish desk reduces friction in that process, offering early-stage advisory, market scouting and transaction coordination that fits international buyer habits.

What this means for international buyers and investors

A specialist desk that operates from London but focuses on Spain changes the buyer experience in practical ways. From our perspective, these are the main implications:

• Faster access to vetted listings: The desk will likely curate Spanish listings that meet international client search criteria, reducing time spent on unsuitable properties.
• Local and cross-border coordination: Buyers can expect bilingual teams who coordinate Spanish conveyancers, tax advisers and local agents — a time saver when juggling multiple jurisdictions.
• Market intelligence delivered in London: Expect tailored briefings on Spanish regions, rental prospects, legal differences between autonomous communities and transaction timelines.

For investors, that coordination is useful when evaluating yield, exit routes and tax impacts. For owner-occupiers and second-home buyers, the desk simplifies logistics such as property viewings, long-distance negotiations and post-purchase property management.

We see three buyer groups who will benefit most:

• UK-based second-home buyers and retirees searching for Mediterranean properties.
• High-net-worth and internationally mobile buyers looking for lifestyle or holiday investments.
• Institutional or portfolio investors exploring Spanish residential opportunities via local specialists.

How the service might change transactions in practice

Savills’ statement emphasises support for clients “from around the world.” In concrete terms, a London-based Spanish desk is likely to provide the following services and touchpoints:

• Pre-purchase advisory: market briefings, region-by-region comparisons and screening based on investment or lifestyle objectives.
• Transaction management: co-ordinating viewings, offers, reservation agreements and exchange processes with Spanish conveyancers.
• Post-completion support: management for lettings, maintenance and compliance with Spanish rental rules.

A London desk can also act as a quality assurance layer. We expect the desk to filter local vendors and verify documentation before presenting options to international clients. If executed well, this reduces cross-border transaction risk and speeds up decision-making.

Practical steps for buyers considering Spanish real estate now

If you are considering buying property in Spain, the arrival of a London-based desk simplifies early steps but it does not remove the need for rigorous due diligence. Our advice, based on decades of observing cross-border transactions, is as follows:

1. Establish objectives and budget early

• Decide whether the purchase is for personal use, holiday rental, buy-to-let or capital gain. That will determine location, property type and finance structure.

2. Secure basic documentation

• Apply for a Spanish tax identification number (NIE) early in the process. It is essential for purchasing and for any tax or utility registration.

3. Insist on independent legal counsel in Spain

• Use a Spanish lawyer experienced in property conveyancing and land registry searches. Ask for a nota simple (registry extract) and for a title search to confirm ownership and encumbrances.

4. Understand tax and running costs

• Factor in purchase taxes, notary fees, land registry costs, and ongoing non-resident or resident tax obligations. VAT may apply to certain new developments; transfer taxes affect resale properties.

5. Check planning status and licences

• Confirm that any terraces, pools or alterations have proper permits. Verify that short-term rental licences exist where relevant.

6. Arrange finance and currency management

• If you need a mortgage, discuss options with Spanish banks and international lenders. Consider foreign exchange strategies if charging rent or paying in a currency different from your income.

7. Use a trusted agent for viewings and inspection

• Ask the London desk to arrange local, expert-led viewings and independent surveys. Structural and pest inspections are common best practice.

These are practical steps.