Case report · Costa Brava

Financing an apartment in Cadaqués – Living permanently in one of Spain's most extraordinary coastal settings

A couple of dentists from Zurich, nearing retirement, were planning the gradual transition. They were looking for a high-quality apartment with a generous terrace, a sea view and a short distance to the town centre of Cadaqués.

In short

What was this case about?

A couple of dentists from Zurich, nearing retirement, were planning the gradual transition. They were looking for a high-quality apartment with a generous terrace, a sea view and a short distance to the town centre of Cadaqués.

Is financing sensible even with high equity?

Many buyers deliberately choose not to tie up all their assets in a property but to preserve financial reserves and existing investments.

Which modernisations are especially usual for high-quality apartments?

Alongside kitchens and bathrooms, air conditioning, shading, fitted wardrobes, modern lighting and digital infrastructure are among the most common measures.

Who arranged this?

Perini Finance & Property — German-speaking, operating under the §34i GewO licence held by Olga Nikushkina, Portugal through a locally licensed intermediary; 15 to 20 banks approached per case. First call free; on completion 1 % of the loan amount.

Key figures

€1,080,000 price, €90,400 modernisation, €648,000 loan

  • Purchase price: 1.080.000 €
  • Renovation: 90.400 €
  • Financing required: 648.000 €
  • Equity: 652.000 €

Anonymised case figure · not a binding statement for other projects · §34i GewO

Typical, anonymised case. Names, places and individual financing figures have been adjusted to protect privacy. The process reflects a typical advisory situation for non-resident financing in Spanien.

Property for sale in Cadaqués: a place with a special character

Cadaqués is one of the best-known towns on the Costa Brava. Its white architecture, sheltered bay and location by the Cap de Creus nature park give the coastal town an unmistakable character. Anyone who wants to settle here permanently finds only a limited supply of homes. Early, realistic financing planning is correspondingly important.

Two dentists from Zurich, income not in euros

A couple of dentists from Zurich, nearing retirement, were planning the gradual transition. They were looking for a high-quality apartment with a generous terrace, a sea view and a short distance to the town centre of Cadaqués. The suitable property was in a well-kept building but was to be modernised technically and made more comfortable before moving in.

€1,300,000 all told, own funds and loan almost equal

  • Purchase price: 1.080.000 €
  • Additional costs: 129.600 €
  • Renovation: 90.400 €
  • Total investment: 1.300.000 €
  • Equity: 652.000 €
  • Financing required: 648.000 €

Keeping liquidity, finishing the flat before moving in

The buyers had sufficient assets but did not want to invest all their liquid funds in the purchase. At the same time, the apartment was to meet the requirements for comfortable, permanent living immediately after the purchase, so all modernisation was planned from the start.

Not just the location counts, but the whole investment

In highly sought-after towns like Cadaqués, many buyers focus on the location. For robust financing, however, the entire investment is decisive. Alongside the purchase price, additional costs and modernisation measures also belong in the overall planning.

The financing corresponded to 60 % of the purchase price and allowed a balanced combination of equity and long-term financing. This kept part of the assets flexibly available.

Kitchen, baths, cooling and tech done before moving in

All planned measures were included in the overall plan from the outset — covered from equity, not by the bank loan:

  • installation of a modern designer kitchen
  • renewal of both bathrooms
  • energy-efficient air conditioning
  • custom-made fitted wardrobes
  • intelligent lighting control
  • electric sun-protection systems on the terrace
  • network and media technology for permanent working from Spain

The modernisation was completed in full before moving in.

Ready to live in, room left for the retirement plans

The apartment could be occupied permanently immediately after the work was completed. At the same time, the buyers kept enough financial room for their further life and retirement plans. The overall plan covered the entire investment requirement without later additions — the bank loan for the purchase price, costs and modernisation from equity.

In sought-after spots budget the total, not just the price

In exclusive residential settings like Cadaqués, the purchase price should not be considered alone. A complete calculation of the total investment ensures planning certainty and prevents necessary modernisation from having to be carried out only after moving in.

FAQ

Frequently asked

Is financing sensible even with high equity?
Many buyers deliberately choose not to tie up all their assets in a property but to preserve financial reserves and existing investments.
Which modernisations are especially usual for high-quality apartments?
Alongside kitchens and bathrooms, air conditioning, shading, fitted wardrobes, modern lighting and digital infrastructure are among the most common measures.
Can all modernisation be taken into account directly?
As a rule the Spanish bank does not co-finance modernisation — it belongs in the overall plan: equity or raising capital against German property.
Why is Cadaqués so sought-after by owner-occupiers?
The town combines an extraordinary coastal landscape, high quality of life, established architecture and a quiet living atmosphere with year-round use as a permanent residence.

Apartment in Cadaqués: purchase, costs and renovation as one plan

An apartment in Cadaqués is, for many buyers, the realisation of a long-held living dream. Anyone who considers the purchase price, additional costs and modernisation as an overall concept and structures the financing accordingly creates a reliable basis for permanent life on one of Spain's most beautiful coasts.

From this theme

More cases on this theme

Theme

Financing purchase and renovation together

All cases on this theme at a glance.

Mallorca

Practical case Mallorca: Charming finca near Santanyí

Modernisation planned in from the start

Mallorca

Practical case Mallorca: Family house in Alcúdia

When the sale of the previous property is part of the financing

Mallorca

Practical case Mallorca: Finca with guesthouse in Deià

Two generations realise their dream together

Your contact

A similar situation in Spain? Let's talk.

Every financing in Spanien is an individual case. In a free initial consultation I will tell you honestly what is feasible and which bank fits.

Book a free consultation

Anonymised individual case, not a binding statement for other projects · Brokerage under the §34i GewO licence held by Olga Nikushkina (D-W-132-ZUCB-95); Siegfried Perini registered as directly involved person (§11a GewO) · no tax or legal advice · no financing commitment; conditions depend on creditworthiness, loan-to-value and bank

Read on
Region

Costa Brava overview

Market analysis, loan-to-value and conditions for the region.

Calculator

Estimate your financing

Roughly calculate budget, costs and instalment.

Checklist

Purchase checklist

Step by step to buying property in Spain and Portugal.

Similar cases by region and price band

Cases with a comparable region and price band — for context, not a promise of the same outcome.

Costa Brava · 980,000 €

Detached house in Begur — architect couple relocating

An architect couple from Hamburg relocate their centre of life to Begur. Anonymised Costa Brava case — non-resident financing. §34i.

Costa Brava · 1,340,000 €

Townhouse in Sant Feliu de Guíxols — case report

Anonymised case: mortgage financing for a townhouse in Sant Feliu de Guíxols on the Costa Brava — terms, equity and how the case was structured.

Costa Brava · 845,000 €

Penthouse in Palamós — retiring after the handover

Gradual retirement by the marina after handing over the company. Anonymised Costa Brava case — non-resident financing in Spain. §34i.

Costa Brava · 735,000 €

Terraced house in Platja d'Aro — family of four

An engineer and a doctor move to Spain with their two children. Anonymised Costa Brava case — non-resident financing. §34i.