I just moved to Spain and have recently started house hunting, looking to get on the property ladder. I’ve discovered the pace here is so different from what I’m used to! Especially when dealing with real estate agents regarding their working hours, I’ve learned a few things the hard way. So, I’m writing this post to share my experience and give a heads-up to others.
Standard Working Hours for Real Estate Agents
Most real estate agency offices in Spain have business hours similar to other office workers: generally Monday to Friday, opening at 9 or 10 AM and closing at 7 or 8 PM. However, this doesn’t mean they can show you a property at a moment’s notice. They also have paperwork, meetings, and coordination with homeowners to handle, so you absolutely must book an appointment in advance. If you just walk into the office asking to see a specific property, you’ll likely be told the agent isn’t available or that you need to schedule a different time.
Do They Work on Weekends and Public Holidays?
This was my biggest question. The answer is: it depends on the agency and the agent.
- Saturday Mornings: Many agencies, especially the large chains, will have staff on duty on Saturday mornings, typically from 10 AM to 2 PM. This is a peak time for them to meet new clients and arrange viewings. However, smaller independent agencies or those in smaller towns might be completely closed.
- Saturday Afternoons and Sundays: This is almost universally a time for rest
! It’s sacred family time in Spain. Trying to schedule a viewing during this period is nearly impossible unless you find a highly motivated agent who is desperate to close a deal. Of course, if the viewing is handled directly by the owner, the timing is much more flexible as you can negotiate with them. This is just one of many factors that can affect the overall timeline for buying a property in Spain
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- Public Holidays: National or regional public holidays are treated just like Sundays—standard days off. Don’t even think about booking viewings on these days; it’s just not going to happen.
Are Evening Viewings Possible?
For those of us who work during the day, evening viewings are ideal. In Spain, this is “possible, but with conditions.” Generally, the latest a viewing can be scheduled is for a 7:00 or 7:30 PM start time. By the time you’re done, it’s around 8:00 PM, which is when most agents finish work. Anything later is unrealistic, not only because the agent needs to go home but also because building management in many communities will be off-duty. Besides, with many steps involved before getting the Spanish property deeds, you don’t want to miss key details, and it’s hard to judge things like natural light after dark. So, if you want an evening viewing, make sure to communicate and arrange it well in advance.
To sum up my personal experience, here’s a quick reference for you:
| Time Slot | Viewing Feasibility | Notes |
|---|
| Weekdays (Daytime) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Best time, appointment required |
| Weekdays (Evening) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Quite possible, requires clear coordination |
| Saturday Morning | ⭐⭐⭐ | Some agents work, popular viewing time |
| Saturday Afternoon & Sunday | ⭐ | Extremely unlikely, don’t count on it |
| Public Holidays | ❌ | Everyone is off |
When buying property in Spain, you have to adapt to the local pace. The golden rule for everything is “make an appointment”. Don’t try to just show up unannounced, or you’ll most likely have a wasted trip. I hope this information is helpful, and I welcome others with experience to add their tips!
