Buyer’s Q&A
How do I actually buy a fractional ownership share?
Seven-step process: identify property and company; reserve with deposit; legal and tax review during cooling-off period; KYC and foreign-tax-ID applications; final share-purchase agreement; payment and transfer of ownership; onboarding and first stay. Typical timeline 4-8 weeks for cash purchases.
The short answer: The seven-step fractional purchase process. (1) Identify the property and company through research and property viewings. (2) Sign reservation agreement with deposit (typically €5k-€20k). (3) Use the cooling-off period for legal and tax review with specialists. (4) Complete KYC and apply for any foreign tax IDs (NIE for Spain, etc.). (5) Sign final share-purchase agreement after legal review. (6) Pay balance via international wire to escrow; ownership records updated. (7) Onboarding call, booking platform access, first stay scheduled. Cash buyers typically complete in 4-8 weeks; financed purchases add 4-8 weeks for mortgage underwriting.
The seven steps in detail
Step 1 — Identify property and company
Use the research period to identify properties matching destination, price, share size and company preferences. Visit properties in person where possible — a pre-purchase viewing reveals what photos can't. Compare across companies within your destination of choice. Most buyers spend 1-6 months in this exploration phase before committing.
Step 2 — Reservation agreement
Once committed to a specific property, sign the company's reservation agreement and pay the reservation deposit (typically €5,000-€20,000). The deposit holds the share off the market while you complete due diligence. Cooling-off provisions typically allow full deposit refund if you withdraw within the defined window.
Step 3 — Cooling-off and due diligence
The 7-14 day cooling-off period (in most EU jurisdictions) is your window for legal and tax review. Engage your own cross-border specialist lawyer to review the co-ownership agreement and share-purchase agreement. Engage a cross-border tax specialist to confirm the home-country position. Review the home's resale history and reserve fund.
Step 4 — KYC and foreign tax IDs
Complete buyer KYC (passport, proof of address, source-of-funds documentation) with the company. Apply for any required foreign tax identification numbers — Spanish NIE if buying a Spanish share; codice fiscale for Italian shares; equivalent for other jurisdictions. Allow 4-8 weeks for foreign tax ID issuance.
Step 5 — Final share-purchase agreement
After legal review and KYC completion, sign the final share-purchase agreement (SPA). The SPA incorporates the co-ownership agreement and finalises the share transfer terms. Have your lawyer review the final version before signing.
Step 6 — Payment and member-register update
Wire the balance to the company's escrow account or designated notary. Funds are held until completion conditions are met (typically same-day to 5-day window). Upon completion, the ownership records are updated to reflect your ownership; you receive confirmation of your share.
Step 7 — Onboarding
Company's owner-services team conducts an onboarding call (typically within 30 days). Booking platform access is activated. First-rotation calendar is shared. First stay can typically be booked within 2-4 months of completion. See first-year experience for what to expect after onboarding.
Typical timelines
| Stage | Cash buyer | Financed buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Research and viewings | 1-6 months | 1-6 months |
| Reservation to completion | 4-8 weeks | 10-16 weeks |
| First stay after completion | 2-4 months | 2-4 months |
Keeping it quick
Three simple ways to keep the timeline short. First, apply early for your NIE on Spanish purchases — busy consulates can take 6-8 weeks. Second, gather your source-of-funds paperwork at the start. Third, if you're financing, start the mortgage application alongside the reservation; cash purchases complete fastest.
What buyers should do at each step
Critical actions. Step 1: visit multiple properties before committing. Step 2: read the reservation agreement before signing. Step 3: use the cooling-off — engage your own lawyer and tax specialist. Step 4: gather KYC documents proactively. Step 5: review the final SPA with your lawyer. Step 6: confirm wire-transfer mechanics with your bank in advance. Step 7: attend the onboarding call to understand the booking platform fully.
Where to start the process
Co-Ownership Property's selection is the starting point for research and company-introduction requests.
Further reading
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