Timeline and ProcessUpdated 27 March 2026

When do I get the keys to my off-plan property?

Quick Answer

You receive the keys to your off-plan property on the completion day at the notary, once you have signed the title deed and paid the final balance. The developer will notify you 4 to 8 weeks before this date when they have the First Occupancy Licence.

AI Summary

1Keys are handed over at the notary on completion day, immediately after the title deed is signed
2The developer gives 4 to 8 weeks advance notice once the First Occupancy Licence is in place
3The final balance payment is made on completion day by bank transfer, banker's draft, or mortgage drawdown
4A snagging inspection before completion day allows defects to be documented and rectified
5Your solicitor should attend the notary appointment with you to review the title deed before signing

Key Takeaways

Keys are handed over at the notary on completion day after the title deed is signed
A snagging inspection before completion identifies defects to be rectified
Final payment must be in cleared funds at the notary: bank transfer, banker's draft, or mortgage drawdown
Change locks, transfer utilities, and contact your management company on or immediately after completion day

Keys to an off-plan property are handed over at the notary on completion day, immediately after the title deed (Escritura de Compraventa) is signed and the final balance is paid. This is the legal moment of ownership transfer. Before reaching this point, the developer must have obtained the First Occupancy Licence from the local authority and invited buyers to complete. The developer typically gives 4 to 8 weeks advance notice of the completion date once the licence is in place. On the day, you attend the notary appointment with your solicitor, the final payment is transferred (or your mortgage is drawn down), the title deed is signed, and the developer hands over the keys, property documentation, and a snagging list process.

The pre-completion period

Before the notary appointment, the developer will invite you to a snagging inspection of the finished property. This inspection should be attended either by you in person or by a professional snagging surveyor on your behalf. The purpose is to identify any defects, incomplete works, or items that do not match the agreed specification. The developer should rectify serious snags before completion and minor ones shortly afterwards. Documenting all issues in writing at the snagging stage creates a clear record for follow-up if resolution is delayed.

What happens at the notary

The notary appointment is the formal legal conclusion of the purchase. You, your solicitor, and a representative of the developer attend. The notary reads (or summarises) the title deed, confirms your identity and the terms of the purchase, and oversees the execution of the document. Your final balance payment must arrive in cleared funds before the appointment: either a bank transfer received by the developer's account by the appointment time, a banker's draft drawn on a Spanish bank, or a mortgage drawdown arranged through your Spanish bank.

Receiving the keys and documentation

Immediately after signing the title deed at the notary, the developer hands over the keys along with the property documentation pack. This typically includes: the First Occupancy Licence, energy performance certificate, building warranties and guarantees, instruction manuals for appliances and systems, and information on the community of owners. Your solicitor will arrange registration of the title deed at the Land Registry in the days following completion.

What to do immediately after receiving the keys

On or shortly after completion day, you should: change the door locks (any previous key holders from the construction period may have had copies), arrange utility transfers into your name for electricity, water, and gas, contact your property management company if you have arranged one so they can begin preparing the property for rental, and notify your insurance provider that the property is now occupied. If the property is not immediately occupied, arrange an alarm system and periodic property management checks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Missing the notary appointment or being unprepared for the payment

Confirm all financial arrangements, including the source and timing of the final balance payment, at least 2 weeks before the notary date. Missing a notary appointment can cause delays and potential contractual issues.

Skipping the snagging inspection

Once you have signed the title deed, it becomes much harder to get defects rectified. The pre-completion snagging inspection is your primary opportunity to document and require rectification of issues. Do not skip it even if the property looks finished.

Real-World Example

A buyer receives a completion notification from their developer in Marbella with a notary appointment scheduled 5 weeks later. They fly out 2 days early and conduct a snagging inspection with a professional surveyor. 14 items are documented, 6 of which are minor and 2 of which are significant: a bathroom fitting not to specification and a terrace drainage issue. The developer rectifies both significant items before the notary date. On completion day, they sign the title deed, pay the final balance, receive the keys, and walk into a fully finished, properly specified apartment. That evening they contact their rental management company who confirm the first summer booking is already in place.

Reviewed by

Olga Gorshkova· Costa del Sol Property Specialist

Updated 27 March 2026

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