Home / Buying Property in Valencia as an Expat

Buying Property in Valencia as an Expat: What Happens After You Get the Keys?

The purchase is complete, you have the keys — now what? Most overseas buyers are unprepared for the amount of work that comes after the notary signs off. This guide walks you through it.

7 min read Updated May 2025
Buying property in Valencia — apartment keys handover for expats

The Post-Purchase Checklist

Within the first 30 days of receiving the keys, most new owners in Valencia need to:

Change utilities into your name — electricity (Endesa, Iberdrola), water (EMIVASA), gas if applicable. Requires NIE number.
Set up internet — Movistar, Vodafone, Orange all offer fibre. Installation takes 5–15 working days. Requires a Spanish address and bank account.
Furnish the apartment — new builds are always empty. Resale properties may have some furniture, but usually needs replacing.
Deep clean — new builds have construction dust; resales need a full clean regardless.
Snag list / punch list — check all appliances, plumbing, fixtures. Report defects to the developer within the warranty window.
Community fees — register with the building's community of owners (comunidad de propietarios) and set up direct debit.

The Challenge for Overseas Buyers

Most of the steps above require a physical presence or someone to act on your behalf. If you live in Germany, the UK, Switzerland or anywhere outside Spain, you face a straightforward problem: you can't be there.

Hiring a local coordinator solves this. They can accept keys from the developer or estate agent, book and receive deliveries, manage tradespeople, and send you daily WhatsApp photo reports.

How Setlix Works with New Buyers

Keys Collection

We collect keys directly from your developer, estate agent or key safe — so the process starts the moment completion happens, not when you can travel.

Snag Inspection

We conduct a thorough inspection, photograph every issue and submit the snag list to the developer on your behalf.

Full Setup

Furniture, appliances, bedding, Wi-Fi, cleaning — all coordinated and completed to a photo-documented standard.

WhatsApp Updates

Daily photos and progress updates so you always know exactly what's happening in your Valencia apartment.

Costs to Budget For

Item Typical Cost
Furniture (economy)€2,500 – €5,000
Furniture (mid-range)€5,000 – €10,000
Setlix coordination feefrom €450
Wi-Fi setup+€100
Deep clean+€150
Bedding & kitchen essentials+€150 – €200 each

Just Bought in Valencia?

Message us now and we'll tell you exactly what we can handle and at what cost. Free consultation, no obligation.

Message Setlix on WhatsApp