How much does it cost to buy a house in Spain? All additional costs listed

The asking price of a property in Spain is your starting point, not your final amount. On top of the purchase price, you pay taxes, notary fees, registration fees, and assistance. Exactly how much depends on three things: are you buying an existing home or a new build, in which region are you buying, and are you financing with a mortgage? We list all the costs for you, with a calculation example. This way, you know exactly what to expect beforehand.

Existing home: transfer tax (ITP)

If you buy a home that has been previously occupied, you pay transfer tax: the Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales (ITP). The rate varies by region.

• Comunitat Valenciana (Costa Blanca): 9 percent since June 1, 2026, 11 percent above €1 million ( Taxdown, 2026 ).
• Región de Murcia (Costa Cálida): 7.75 percent since July 25, 2025 ( Taxdown, 2026 ).

The rate applies to the purchase price stated in the deed, or to the land registry reference value if that is higher.

New construction: VAT (IVA) and stamp duty (AJD)

If you buy directly from a property developer, you do not pay ITP but 10 percent VAT (IVA). On top of that comes stamp duty: the Actos Jurídicos Documentados (AJD). In the Comunitat Valenciana, this has been 1.4 percent since June 1, 2026 ( GuíaFiscal, 2026 ), and in Murcia 1.5 percent ( Taxdown, 2026 ). Note: for new construction, you pay the VAT in installments with each down payment.

Notary, registry and guidance

These costs apply to every purchase:

• Notary: the deed (escritura) is drawn up by a Spanish notary. Expect to pay from a few hundred to well over a thousand euros, depending on the price.
• Land Registry: registration in the Registro de la Propiedad usually costs a few hundred euros.
• Lawyer: an independent lawyer often charges around 1 percent of the purchase price, plus 21 percent VAT.
• Gestor: an administrative service provider that handles tax returns, registration, and transfer of utilities. Often a few hundred euros.
• NIE: You need your Spanish tax identification number to make a purchase. The fees are low, but if you arrange it through a gestor, you will also pay their rate.

With a Spanish mortgage

Since 2019, the bank in Spain pays the majority of the mortgage costs, such as notary fees, registry fees, and stamp duty on the mortgage deed. What remains for you are the valuation (tasación) and possibly an closing fee. Always request a complete overview of costs from the bank.

Calculation example: home of €250,000 on the Costa Blanca

The amounts for notary, registry, and gestor are indicative. Your exact costs depend on your home and your situation.

The costs do not stop with the handover of the keys.

As an owner, you also pay a number of fixed annual costs:

• IBI: the municipal property tax, based on the cadastral value (valor catastral). For an average apartment, often several hundred euros per year.
• Waste levy (basura): a small municipal levy.
• Comunidad: the contribution to the homeowners' association for maintenance, garden, and swimming pool. Ask for the amount and the recent minutes before your purchase.
• Non-resident tax (IRNR): If you do not live in Spain and do not rent out property, the Spanish tax authorities assign you a notional income. This is 1.1 or 2 percent of the cadastral value. As an EU resident, you pay 19 percent on this ( Agencia Tributaria ). With a cadastral value of €100,000, this amounts to €209 to €380 per year.
• Insurance and utilities: buildings insurance, water, electricity, and internet.

In addition, you must also declare your Spanish property in Belgium or the Netherlands. How this works varies by country. Seek advice on this from a tax advisor familiar with both systems.

The municipal capital gains tax, a municipal tax on the appreciation of the land, is normally paid by the seller upon purchase. Do check that this is stated in your contract.

How to know what to expect in advance

For an existing home on the Costa Blanca, count on approximately 11 percent on top of the purchase price, and for new builds, about 13 to 14 percent. Make sure you have that amount set aside alongside your purchase budget, as Spanish banks usually do not finance additional costs. Do you want to know what other pitfalls there are? Then also read Pitfalls when buying a house in Spain.

At Palmhouses, we provide you with a tailored cost overview for the property you have your eye on. No fine print and no ambiguities. Are you already looking around? View apartments on the Costa Blanca or houses in Torrevieja.

Unsure what your purchase will cost in total? Schedule a no-obligation video call. We would be happy to calculate it for you.