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.

Moving from USA to Mallorca: Complete Relocation Guide for Americans

Relocating from the United States to Mallorca is an exciting adventure, but it requires careful planning. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about making the move.

Visa & Residency Options

For Stays Under 90 Days

Americans can visit Spain for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. This is part of the Schengen Area agreement.

For Long-Term Residency

Golden Visa - €500,000+ property investment
Non-Lucrative Visa - For retirees with passive income (€2,400/month minimum + €600 per dependent)
Work Visa - Requires a job offer from a Spanish employer
Self-Employment Visa - For freelancers and entrepreneurs
Student Visa - For enrolled students

Timeline: When to Start Planning

12 months before: Research visa options, start property search
9 months before: Begin visa application process, obtain required documents
6 months before: Finalize property purchase, arrange international moving
3 months before: Handle US affairs (storage, mail forwarding, utilities)
1 month before: Pack, say goodbyes, final preparations

Shipping Your Belongings

Full Container (Recommended for Families)

20-foot container: $3,000-5,000 (East Coast) to $5,000-8,000 (West Coast)
40-foot container: $5,000-8,000 (East Coast) to $8,000-12,000 (West Coast)
Transit time: 3-6 weeks depending on origin

Partial Container/Shared Shipping

Good for smaller shipments
Cost: $1,500-4,000 depending on volume
Longer transit times (6-10 weeks)

What NOT to Ship

Large appliances (voltage/plug differences)
Cheap furniture (buy new in Spain)
Electronics that won't work on 220V

Banking & Finances

Opening a Spanish Bank Account

You'll need:

NIE number (foreigner identification number)
Passport
Proof of address (utility bill or rental contract)
Proof of income

Recommended Banks

Sabadell - Expat-friendly, English support
CaixaBank - Largest network in Spain
BBVA - Good online banking

Keeping US Accounts

Maintain at least one US bank account for:

Social Security deposits (if applicable)
Investment accounts
Payments to US services

Driver's License

Your US driver's license is valid in Spain for 6 months. After that:

Americans CANNOT directly exchange their license (no reciprocity agreement)
You must take the full Spanish driving test (theory + practical)
Consider getting an International Driving Permit before leaving the US

Pets

Bringing pets from the US to Spain requires:

Microchip (ISO 11784/11785 compliant)
Rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel)
USDA health certificate (within 10 days of travel)
EU Pet Passport (obtained upon arrival)

Healthcare Setup

Upon arrival, prioritize:

Private health insurance (immediate coverage)
Registration with local health center (centro de salud)
Finding English-speaking doctors

Getting Settled

Essential First Steps

Register with local town hall (empadronamiento)
Open Spanish bank account
Set up utilities (usually through your landlord or property manager initially)
Get a Spanish mobile phone
Register with the US Consulate (STEP program)