Perini Finance & Property §34i GewO · Mortgages in Spain & Portugal
Case report · Costa Brava

Financing a townhouse in Empuriabrava – Living permanently by the water with well-considered overall financing

A self-employed software developer from Austria was planning a permanent move to Empuriabrava together with his partner. They were looking for a well-kept townhouse with its own garage and a small terrace within walking distance of shops and restaurants.

Key figures

At a glance

  • Purchase price: 540.000 €
  • Renovation: 45.200 €
  • Financing required: 334.800 €
  • Equity: 315.200 €

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.

Living between canals and the Mediterranean

Empuriabrava is known far beyond the Costa Brava for its extensive canal system. Besides the waterfront locations, the town is increasingly developing into an attractive centre of life for German-speaking buyers who want to move their residence permanently to Spain. Many townhouses date from earlier years and offer high living comfort after modernisation.

Initial situation

A self-employed software developer from Austria was planning a permanent move to Empuriabrava together with his partner. They were looking for a well-kept townhouse with its own garage and a small terrace within walking distance of shops and restaurants. The suitable property was already ready to move into but was to be upgraded technically and in terms of energy efficiency before moving in.

Financing overview

  • Purchase price: 540.000 €
  • Additional costs: 64.800 €
  • Renovation: 45.200 €
  • Total investment: 650.000 €
  • Equity: 315.200 €
  • Financing required: 334.800 €

The challenge

A considerable part of their assets was invested in securities portfolios. The buyers did not want to liquidate these investments entirely and preferred financing that leaves enough financial room for the coming years. At the same time, all modernisation work was to be completed immediately after the purchase.

Analysis

For a permanent move to Spain, it is not only the property purchase that matters. Planning liquidity for the first years after the change of residence is often an important part of the financing strategy too.

With financing of around 62 % of the purchase price, enough equity remained for the additional costs and part of the total investment, without tying up the existing assets entirely.

Financing solution

Alongside the purchase price, the financing covered all planned modernisation measures:

  • new energy-efficient windows
  • complete renewal of the air conditioning
  • modernisation of the bathroom
  • creation of a separate home-office area
  • network cabling and modern lighting

By including all measures in the overall financing, all work could be completed before moving in.

Outcome

The townhouse was occupied after the modernisation, with no further building phase. The buyers were able to largely preserve their securities investments and at the same time implement balanced long-term financing. The permanent change of residence to Empuriabrava was thereby predictable and financially sound.

What other buyers can learn

Anyone moving their centre of life to Empuriabrava should not consider the purchase price alone. Additional costs, modernisation and sufficient financial reserves are part of sustainable overall planning. Financing that takes all components into account from the start creates long-term planning certainty.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can a home office be part of the modernisation?
Yes. If a room is permanently set up as a home office and corresponding conversions are planned, these measures can often be taken into account already in the overall planning.
Why is as much equity as possible not used?
Many buyers deliberately want to preserve liquid funds or existing investments in order to remain financially flexible after the purchase too.
Do older townhouses in Empuriabrava often need modernisation?
Depending on the year of construction, windows, air conditioning, bathrooms, electrical installations or the digital infrastructure are typical modernisation points.
Is financing worthwhile even with existing assets?
Many owner-occupiers deliberately choose a balanced mix of equity and financing in order to keep their asset structure balanced over the long term.

Conclusion

A townhouse in Empuriabrava can be an attractive solution for a permanent move to the Costa Brava. If the purchase price, additional costs and modernisation are planned and financed together from the start, a robust basis emerges for the new chapter of life – without later top-up loans or unplanned financial burdens.

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Anonymised individual case, not a binding statement for other projects · Siegfried Perini, BAFA-notified for the cross-border activity of the owner Olga Nikushkina · §34i GewO · no tax or legal advice · no financing commitment; conditions depend on creditworthiness, loan-to-value and bank

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