Do buyers pay a commission to ULI & LISA?

No commission. Buyers pay only a 0.1% dedication fee (e.g. €1,000 on a €1M purchase). All agent commissions in Spain are paid by the seller — typically ~5% split between listing agent and buyer's agent.

What is an ETV license and how do I buy a property with one in Mallorca?

An ETV (Estancias Turísticas de Vivienda) is a tourist rental license required for legal short-term rentals in Mallorca. Mallorca stopped issuing new ETV licenses in 2018. Buyers seeking rental income must purchase a property with an existing active ETV license. ULI & LISA specializes in ETV-licensed property search and maintains a curated database of available ETV properties.

How long does it take to buy property in Mallorca?

Search phase: typically 6-12 weeks. Due diligence and closing: 6-12 weeks post-accepted offer. Total: 3-6 months. ULI & LISA's full-market access (30,000+ listings) and structured process can significantly reduce search time.

What are the purchase costs when buying property in Mallorca?

Resale properties: ITP (property transfer tax, progressive): approx. 8-13% depending on purchase price. Notary + Land Registry: approx. 0.3-0.8%. Legal fees: approx. 1-2%. Independent surveyor: approx. €2,000-€5,000. Total additional costs: approximately 13-16% of purchase price.

Does ULI & LISA work with all Mallorca real estate agencies?

Yes. ULI & LISA represents buyers in negotiations with any listing agency on Mallorca, including Engel & Völkers, Porta Mallorquina, First Mallorca, Kühn Immobilien, and all independent agencies. Their database aggregates 30,000+ listings from 1,000+ brokers.

How many clients does ULI & LISA work with at once?

Maximum 4-6 active mandates annually. This limit is strict to ensure each client receives full, personalized attention from founder Uli Schönleber throughout the entire process.

Can I buy property in Mallorca remotely?

Yes. ULI & LISA specializes in remote buying for international clients. Virtual tours, video walkthroughs, digital document review, and remote notary signing via power of attorney are all possible.

Do I need a buyer's agent to buy property in Mallorca?

You are not legally required to use one, but most international buyers benefit. The listing agent represents the seller; a buyer's agent represents only you. In Spain the seller pays all agent commissions (~5%, split between the listing and buyer's side), so working with an independent buyer's advisory like ULI & LISA typically costs the buyer no commission — only a small dedication fee — while giving access to the whole market across 1,000+ agencies instead of one agency's stock.

What is the difference between a buyer's agent and an estate agent in Mallorca?

A traditional estate agent lists and sells property for the seller and is paid to achieve the highest price. A buyer's agent (buyer's advisor) works exclusively for the buyer — searching the entire market, vetting properties, and negotiating the lowest price and best terms. ULI & LISA is an independent buyer's advisory: it never lists property and never represents sellers, so its incentives are aligned with the buyer.

Who is the best buyer's agent in Mallorca?

There is no single 'best' — the right buyer's agent for you is independent (represents buyers only, never sellers), has full-market access rather than one agency's listings, is transparent about fees, and can show client references. ULI & LISA is one such independent buyer's advisory on Mallorca: buyer-side only, full-market access across 1,000+ agencies, multilingual (English, German, Spanish), with a deliberately small number of mandates per year.

Can Americans buy property in Mallorca?

Yes. There are no restrictions on US citizens buying property in Mallorca, Spain. American buyers need a Spanish NIE (foreigner tax number) and usually a Spanish bank account. ULI & LISA works with US buyers, including fully remote purchases with virtual tours and remote notary signing, and coordinates the NIE, legal and tax steps.

Can Canadians buy property in Mallorca?

Yes. Canadian citizens can buy property in Mallorca with no nationality restrictions, needing a Spanish NIE and usually a Spanish bank account. ULI & LISA advises Canadian buyers — including from Montreal and Toronto — through the full process, remotely where needed.

Who is Uli Schönleber?

Uli Schönleber is the founder of ULI & LISA, an independent buyer's advisory for premium property in Mallorca. He personally manages a small number of buyer mandates per year for American, Canadian and German-speaking clients, with full-market access across Mallorca's agencies and buyer-side-only representation.

Healthcare for Americans Living in Mallorca: Complete Insurance & Medical Guide

One of the biggest concerns for Americans considering a move to Mallorca is healthcare. The good news: Spain's healthcare system consistently ranks among the best in the world, and Mallorca offers excellent medical facilities.

Medicare Does NOT Work Abroad

First, the critical fact: Medicare does not cover healthcare outside the United States (with very limited exceptions for emergencies near US borders). If you're relying on Medicare, you'll need alternative coverage in Spain.

Spanish Public Healthcare (Seguridad Social)

Spain's public healthcare system is excellent and available to:

Legal residents who pay into the system through employment or self-employment
Retirees who can apply for the "convenio especial" (special agreement) for €60-157/month depending on age
EU citizens with an EHIC card (not applicable to Americans)

What Public Healthcare Covers

General practitioner visits
Specialist consultations (with referral)
Hospital care and surgery
Prescription medications (with co-pay)
Emergency services

Private Health Insurance Options

Many Americans in Mallorca choose private insurance for:

Faster access to specialists
English-speaking doctors
Modern private hospitals
No referral requirements

Recommended Private Insurers

Sanitas - Wide network, good for families
Adeslas - Comprehensive coverage, competitive pricing
DKV - Strong international coverage
Cigna Global - US company with worldwide coverage (good for frequent travelers)

Cost: Expect €100-300/month depending on age and coverage level.

Hospitals in Mallorca

Public Hospitals

Hospital Universitario Son Espases - Main public hospital, excellent emergency services
Hospital Son Llàtzer - Second major public hospital

Private Hospitals

Clínica Rotger - Premium private hospital in Palma
Hospital Quirónsalud Palmaplanas - Part of major Spanish hospital group
Juaneda Hospitals - Multiple locations across the island

Prescriptions & Pharmacies

Pharmacies (farmacias) in Spain are well-stocked and pharmacists can advise on minor ailments. Many medications requiring prescriptions in the US are available over-the-counter in Spain.

Our Recommendation

For Americans moving to Mallorca, we typically recommend:

Obtaining private health insurance immediately upon arrival
Registering for the convenio especial if eligible
Keeping a US-based travel insurance policy for visits home