Free calculator · October 2026 rates
Spain buying costs: what do you pay on top of the price?
Work out in 30 seconds what a home in Spain really costs you. Expect roughly 9% to 14% on top of the purchase price, depending on the region and whether you buy resale or new build. Independent, buyer-side.
Rates checked on 10 Oct 2026 · v1.0.1
What are the buying costs in Spain?
Tax is the biggest item. Buying a resale home from a private seller, you pay Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales (ITP): between 6% and 13%, set by each autonomous region. Buying new build from a developer, you pay 10% VAT (IVA) plus stamp duty (Actos Jurídicos Documentados, AJD) of 0.75% to 1.5%. The Canary Islands charge 7% IGIC instead of VAT.
Notary and Land Registry. Notary fees are set by law and rise slightly with the price: expect €700 to €2,500. Registration at the Registro de la Propiedad usually costs €450 to €2,000.
Lawyer. Not compulsory but strongly advised: an independent Spanish lawyer checks title, charges, licences and community debts before you pay any deposit. Typical fee is about 1% of the price plus 21% VAT.
Other items. A gestoría for the tax return and registration (about €400), your NIE number, a Spanish bank account and translations. With a mortgage, add valuation and extras; since 2019 the bank pays the stamp duty and notary of the mortgage deed.
Rates by region (as of 10 October 2026)
| Region | Resale (ITP) | New build | AJD on new build |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valencian Community (Costa Blanca, Valencia) | 9% up to €1m · 11% on the whole price above | 10% VAT | 1.4% |
| Murcia (Costa Cálida) | 7.75% | 10% VAT | 1.5% |
| Andalusia (Costa del Sol) | 7% | 10% VAT | 1.2% |
| Catalonia (Costa Brava) | 10% → 13% progressive (600k / 900k / 1.5m) | 10% VAT | 1.5% |
| Balearic Islands | 8% → 13% progressive (400k / 600k / 1m / 2m) | 10% VAT | 1.5% (2% from €1m) |
| Madrid | 6% | 10% VAT | 0.75% |
| Canary Islands | 6.5% | 7% IGIC | 0.75% |
General rates. Reduced rates for young buyers, large families or a first main home usually apply only to tax residents and are not included. Valencia cut ITP from 10% to 9% on 1 June 2026 (Ley 5/2025); Murcia from 8% to 7.75% on 25 July 2025.
Worked example: €300,000 resale home in Alicante
| Transfer tax (ITP 9%) | €27,000 |
| Notary (estimate) | €900 |
| Land Registry (estimate) | €550 |
| Lawyer (1% + 21% VAT) | €3,630 |
| Gestoría | €400 |
| NIE, bank, translations | €250 |
| Total buying costs | €32,730 (10.9%) |
The same home as new build: 10% VAT + 1.4% AJD takes costs to about €39,930 (13.3%). A €400,000 resale home in Andalusia: about €35,090 (8.8%).
Are you sure you can buy?
Costs are one side. Also take the free Buyability Check: financing, documents, valuation risk and your plans for the property, in 5 minutes.
Start the free Buyability CheckFrequently asked questions
How much are buying costs in Spain?
For a resale home usually 9% to 13% of the price, for new build 12% to 14%. Most of it is tax: ITP (6–13% by region) or 10% VAT plus 0.75–1.5% stamp duty.
Who pays the plusvalía tax in Spain?
The municipal capital gains tax (plusvalía municipal) is legally the seller's. Make sure the purchase contract keeps it that way and allows the notary to withhold the amount.
Do non-residents pay more transfer tax?
No, the general ITP rate is the same for residents and non-residents. Reduced rates for a first main home, young buyers or large families, however, are usually for tax residents only.
When is the transfer tax paid?
Within 30 working days of signing the deed at the notary. The gestoría or your lawyer usually files the return (modelo 600) and pays straight after signing.
How much cash do I need with a Spanish mortgage?
Non-residents usually get 60% to 70% of the price or valuation (whichever is lower). So you bring 30–40% plus all buying costs yourself. Set the slider in the calculator to your percentage.