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Download Your Free Car Deposit Holding Contract (Contrato de Arras) Template for Benissa in Word and PDF

Buying or selling a used car in Spain involves navigating specific legal frameworks to protect both parties. One of the most effective tools for this is the Contrato de Arras (Earnest Money Contract). This is a private agreement where the buyer pays a small holding deposit to reserve the vehicle, taking it off the market, while committing to complete the full purchase within an agreed timeframe. If the buyer backs out, they lose the deposit; if the seller backs out, they must typically return it doubled.

Instructions on how and where to use this agreement in Benissa

Unlike bureaucratic tax forms, the Contrato de Arras is a private civil contract between the buyer and the seller. Therefore, you do not need to submit it to any municipal office in the Town Hall of Benissa (Ayuntamiento de Benissa) or local traffic authorities (DGT) to make it valid. Instead, both parties should sign the document in person, ideally at the moment the deposit is handed over. It is strongly recommended to print two physical copies—one for the buyer and one for the seller—and sign both. If you are meeting in Benissa to finalize a vehicle transaction near the Costa Blanca or along the N-332, ensure you fill out the exact vehicle details, mileage, and agreed deadlines clearly.

📄 Modelo Oficial / Official Template

Plantilla / Template

CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES / EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT

En Benissa, a [Día] de [Mes] de [Año] / In Benissa, on [Day] of [Month], [Year]

REUNIDOS / PARTIES

DE UNA PARTE, D./Dña. [Nombre y Apellidos del Vendedor], con DNI/NIE [Número], y domicilio en [Dirección en Benissa u otra localidad], en adelante el VENDERDOR / FROM ONE PART, Mr./Ms. [Seller's Name], with ID [Number], and address at [Address], hereinafter the SELLER.

Y DE OTRA PARTE, D./Dña. [Nombre y Apellidos del Comprador], con DNI/NIE [Número], y domicilio en [Dirección], en adelante el COMPRADOR / AND FROM THE OTHER PART, Mr./Ms. [Buyer's Name], with ID [Number], and address at [Address], hereinafter the BUYER.

Ambas partes se reconocen capacidad legal suficiente para otorgar el presente contrato y / Both parties mutually recognize sufficient legal capacity to enter into this contract and

EXPONEN / DECLARE

I. Que el VENDEDOR es propietario del vehículo cuyos datos se detallan a continuación / That the SELLER is the owner of the vehicle detailed below:

II. Que el COMPRADOR está interesado en la adquisición del referido vehículo, por lo que ambas partes acuerdan formalizar un CONTRATO DE ARRAS PENITENCIALES, que se regirá por las siguientes / That the BUYER is interested in purchasing said vehicle, therefore both parties agree to formalize an EARNEST MONEY CONTRACT, governed by the following:

CLÁUSULAS / CLAUSES

PRIMERA (Precio y Arras) / FIRST (Price and Deposit): El precio total pactado para la compraventa del vehículo es de [Importe Total en Letras] euros ([Importe en Cifra] €). En este acto, el COMPRADOR entrega en concepto de señal o arras la cantidad de [Importe de la señal en Letras] euros ([Importe] €) mediante [Efectivo / Transferencia Bancaria], cantidad que será descontada del precio final en el momento de la firma del contrato de compraventa definitivo / The total agreed price is [Total Amount in Words] euros ([Amount] €). In this act, the BUYER delivers as a deposit the amount of [Deposit in Words] euros ([Amount] €) via [Cash/Bank Transfer], which will be deducted from the final price upon signing the final sales contract.

SEGUNDA (Plazo) / SECOND (Deadline): La firma del contrato definitivo de compraventa y el pago del resto del importe pendiente se realizarán como fecha límite el día [Fecha límite] de [Mes] de [Año]. Si llegado dicho día el COMPRADOR no hubiera pagado el resto y formalizado la compra, perderá la cantidad entregada. Si el incumplimiento fuera por parte del VENDEDOR, este estará obligado a devolver al COMPRADOR la cantidad entregada duplicada, conforme al artículo 1454 del Código Civil / The signing of the final contract and payment of the remaining balance shall take place no later than [Deadline Date]. If the BUYER defaults, they forfeit the deposit. If the SELLER defaults, they must return double the amount, according to Article 1454 of the Civil Code.

TERCERA (Estado del Vehículo) / THIRD (Vehicle Condition): El vehículo se adquiere en el estado actual que el COMPRADOR conoce y acepta / The vehicle is acquired in its current condition, which the BUYER knows and accepts.

Y en prueba de conformidad, firman las partes por duplicado y a un solo efecto en el lugar y fecha al principio indicados / And as proof of conformity, the parties sign in duplicate at the place and date indicated above.


Fdo. El Vendedor / Seller Fdo. El Comprador / Buyer

Additional documentation required

Once you sign this reservation contract and the final purchase date arrives in Benissa, you will need a complete set of documents to execute the formal Contrato de Compraventa and transfer ownership at the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico). Make sure the seller provides the vehicle's Permiso de Circulación (Circulation Permit), the Ficha Técnica (Technical Inspection Card), and proof that the last ITV (Technical Vehicle Inspection) is fully up to date. Additionally, the seller must present proof of payment for the local vehicle tax (Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica - IVTM) corresponding to the previous year in Benissa.

As an expert tip, never hand over a cash deposit without getting this signed template filled out and obtaining a signed receipt from the seller's ID copy. If you are handling transactions involving foreign residents or vehicles imported along the Costa Blanca, double-check that there are no pending financial loads, executive seizures, or outstanding fines registered with the DGT before handing over any money.