Hello

1. there must be an existing residential structure on the land (condition relatively unimportant)
2. however the larger the property, the better
3. minimum of 5 hectares of productive land (i.e. agricultural land)
4. you will need an architect
5. highly advantageous to the planning process to register as a farmer( can only be done once you bought the agricultural land)
6. as part of the process you need to be registered at your local Town Hall. This in addition to the usual NIE registration
7. the first job that your architect needs to do prior to any drawings/submission of plans etc., is to register the property/finca as a residence
8. we have gone through this process and it would have taken us (hopefully) 18 months to secure the building licence
9. be extremely / excessively cautious to the point of mania with regards to what estate agents or other property professionals tell you, as planning permission on rural land is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain and most of the above conditions / requirements have to be met as criteria for the building licence
10. It is unfortunate that you will be told that everybody puts up an almacen/barn which you can then live in. Whilst a number of people have gone this route it is fraught with problems and we would strongly urge that you proceed with utmost caution and seek independent planning and legal advice (architect and independent solicitor).

Kind regards and best of luck
Gary & Sabine