Spanish Power of Attorney (Poder Notarial) & Notarisation in the UK
Everything UK-based clients need to know about preparing, notarising and legalising a Spanish Power of Attorney (POA) for use in Spain.
Ideal for: property transactions, dealing with Spanish banks and tax authorities, instructing a Spanish lawyer, court representation, inheritance procedures, or managing business matters in Spain when you cannot attend in person.
At Wharf Notaries in London, we make the process of completing and verifying your ID1 Form simple, fast, and stress-free.
What is a Spanish Power of Attorney?
A Spanish Power of Attorney (“poder notarial“) is a legal document by which you authorise a trusted person (your apoderado) to act on your behalf in Spain. It can be drafted for specific purposes (for example, buying or selling property) or as a more general mandate. Because the document will be used before Spanish authorities or notaries, it is usually drafted in Spanish. An English translation is commonly attached to help you understand and for the UK notary to confirm informed execution.
Tip: Have the POA drafted by your Spanish lawyer or notary so the wording matches Spanish legal requirements and the exact tasks needed (e.g., property completion, NIE formalities, tax filings, bank formalities, litigation powers, etc.).
How the process works (UK → Spain)
1. Drafting – Your Spanish lawyer prepares the POA in Spanish (with or without a bilingual version).
2. Notarisation in the UK – You sign the POA in front of a UK Notary Public who verifies your identity, capacity and willingness, and certifies your signature. See our service: Notary Services.
3. Legalisation (Apostille) – The notarised POA is legalised with a UK Apostille by the FCDO so that it is recognised in Spain under the Hague Convention. We can arrange this: Apostille & Legalisation.
4. Translations (if required) – Where the notarial certificate is in English only, a certified translation may be requested by your Spanish counterpart.
5. Use in Spain – Your Spanish lawyer (attorney-in-fact) presents the apostilled POA to the Spanish notary, Land Registry, bank or court.
Can a Spanish Power of Attorney be used in the UK?
Generally, Spanish-format POAs are intended for use in Spain. If you need a power to act within the UK, you should normally sign a UK-form power that complies with UK law. A Spanish POA that has been notarised and apostilled may be accepted as evidence of authority by some UK recipients, but this is not guaranteed, and the language and legal framework may not align with UK practice.
If you require authority for UK matters, ask us about the correct UK document (e.g., a UK general power or lasting power, depending on the context). For Spain-related actions, the Spanish POA is the correct instrument.
Learn more: Notary Services.
How to get a Spanish Power of Attorney in the UK
Step 1 – Obtain a draft from your Spanish lawyer/notary specifying the exact powers required.
Step 2 – Book a notary appointment with Wharf Notaries. Bring your valid passport and proof of address. If the POA is not bilingual, we will ensure you fully understand the content before signing.
Step 3 – Sign before the notary. We notarise your signature and prepare the notarial certificate.
Step 4 – Apostille. We submit the notarised POA to the FCDO Legalisation Office for the Apostille.
Step 5 – Delivery. We can ship the apostilled POA directly to your Spanish lawyer by tracked courier.
Useful government guidance: UK Legalisation (Apostille) service (FCDO).
How to give power of attorney to someone in Spain
To grant authority to a person or your lawyer in Spain:
1. Confirm their full details (name, ID/passport, address) for insertion into the POA.
2. Ensure the draft lists all powers needed (e.g., property sale/purchase, tax filings, bank operations, NIE application, litigation).
3. Sign and notarise the POA in the UK, obtain the Apostille, then send the original to Spain.
4. Your appointed attorney presents the POA when acting before the Spanish notary, Land Registry, bank or court.
Note: Spanish authorities generally accept UK notarised documents once apostilled under the Hague Apostille Convention. Some recipients also request a sworn/certified Spanish translation of the notarial wording; we can arrange this if needed.
How does power of attorney work in Spain?
Types: POAs can be general (broad powers) or special (limited to specific acts, such as buying/selling property, dealing with banks, inheritance, litigation).
Execution in Spain or abroad: A POA can be signed before a Spanish notary in Spain, at a Spanish Consulate, or before a UK notary (followed by Apostille).
Language: Spanish-language POA is standard. Bilingual versions avoid misunderstandings.
Duration & revocation: Unless otherwise stated, a POA can be revoked at any time by signing a deed of revocation before a notary and notifying the attorney and relevant institutions.
Capacity: The principal must have legal capacity at the time of signing.
After use: For registry or property matters, the original (or a notarial copy) is lodged with the Spanish notary/registry as required.
How much would a solicitor/notary charge for a power of attorney?
Fees vary depending on drafting, complexity, urgency, translation, notarisation and legalisation steps. We do not publish fees here, but we provide clear quotes once we review your draft and requirements.
→ Start the process: Contact Wharf Notaries
Power of Attorney for Spanish property
For Spanish property purchases or sales, the POA typically includes powers to:
– Obtain/confirm NIE (tax number).
– Sign arras (reservation/earnest money) agreements.
– Sign the public deed of sale (escritura) before the Spanish notary.
– Pay taxes and fees, handle banking, and deal with utilities.
– Represent you at the Land Registry and Cadastre, and collect copies of the deeds.
Best practice: Ask your Spanish lawyer to specify exact cadastral references, property address, and any bank or tax powers. We regularly notarise Spanish property POAs and can coordinate Apostille and courier to meet notary completion dates.
Notarisation & Apostille: what we do
Notarisation: We verify identity, capacity and understanding; witness your signature; and issue a notarial certificate suitable for Spain.
Apostille: We arrange UK FCDO Apostille so the document is recognised in Spain.
Translations: We can source sworn/certified Spanish translations if requested.
Dispatch: We can send the apostilled POA directly to your Spanish lawyer by tracked courier.
External resources (official)
UK Get your document legalised (Apostille) – FCDO (GOV.UK): https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised
Apply for legalisation (paper apostille or e‑Apostille): https://www.gov.uk/get-document-legalised/apply-for-legalisation
Spanish Consulate in London – Powers of Attorney (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores): https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Poderes-Notariales.aspx
Ministry of Justice (Spain) – Apostille (legalización única): https://www.mjusticia.gob.es/es/ciudadania/tramites/legalizacion-unica-apostilla
Common FAQs About Spanish POAs
Do I need an Apostille for a Spanish POA signed in the UK?
Yes. A UK‑notarised document for use in Spain usually requires an Apostille from the UK FCDO so it is recognised under the Hague Convention.
Can I sign the POA at the Spanish Consulate instead?
Yes. Spanish consulates can execute Spanish notarial acts. Availability and appointment times vary; many clients prefer signing before a UK notary with Apostille for speed.
Can two people grant a joint POA in one deed?
Often yes. The draft should make clear whether attorneys act jointly, jointly and severally, or severally.
How long is a Spanish POA valid?
Unless limited by the wording or specific purpose, it remains valid until revoked. Revocation should be notarised and communicated to your attorney and any institutions where it has been used.
What identification do I need?
Bring a valid passport and proof of address. If name has changed, bring supporting documents.
Will my UK Lasting Power of Attorney work in Spain?
UK LPAs are different instruments and are not automatically accepted in Spain for transactional matters. A Spanish-form POA is usually required for Spanish procedures.
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Lasting POAs must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before use.
Can I restrict the powers to a single property sale?
Yes. Ask your Spanish lawyer to limit the powers to that specific asset and transaction, and name the counterparties if known.
Do I need a translation?
The POA is typically in Spanish; we ensure you understand it at signing. Some Spanish recipients request translations of the UK notarial certificate—we can arrange this if needed.
Ready to proceed?
Email us your draft Spanish POA (or ask your Spanish lawyer to send it directly), and we will confirm the signing, notarisation, Apostille, and courier options to meet your deadlines.