Costs When Buying Property in Spain 2026 – Taxes, Fees and Agent's Fee

When you buy property in Spain, several costs are added on top of the purchase price. The largest cost is usually the tax, and how much it amounts to depends on where in Spain the property is located and whether it is a new-build or an existing property.

Here we go through which costs to expect, what they usually amount to and what applies to the agent's fee.

Expect 10–13 Percent in Additional Costs

A rule of thumb is that taxes and fees when buying property in Spain come to 10–13 percent of the purchase price. The largest part is tax.

Transfer Tax When Buying an Existing Property

If you buy an existing property, you pay transfer tax (ITP). The tax rate is set by each region:

• Valencia, where the Costa Blanca is located: 9% up to 1 million euros, 11% above that
• Andalusia, where the Costa del Sol is located: 7%
• The Canary Islands: 6.5%

In the Valencia region, the tax was lowered from 10 to 9 percent on 1 June 2026.

The tax is calculated on the higher of the purchase price and the reference value that the Spanish cadastre (Catastro) has set for the property.

VAT When Buying a New-Build

If you buy a newly built property directly from the developer, you instead pay VAT (IVA) of 10 percent. On top of that comes stamp duty (AJD) on the deed of sale. In the Canary Islands, a separate equivalent of VAT applies, IGIC.

• Valencia: 1.4%
• Andalusia: 1.2%

Notary, Registration and Lawyer

In addition to the tax, there are fees for the notary and for registration in the property register, which together usually come to around 1–2 percent.

An independent lawyer who reviews the purchase often charges around 1 percent of the purchase price plus VAT. It is a cost well worth paying.

What Does It Cost to Use an Agent in Spain?

As a buyer, you normally pay no agent's fee. In Spain, it is generally the seller who pays the agent, and the fee is usually included in the advertised price.

The fee is often 3–6 percent plus VAT, but it is the seller's cost. Always ask whether any fee applies to you as a buyer before you sign.

→ Read more: Real Estate Agents in Spain – How It Differs from Sweden

Worked Example – Existing Property for 250,000 Euros

Costa Blanca (Valencia)

• Transfer tax (9%): 22,500 euros
• Notary and registration (approx. 1.5%): 3,750 euros
• Lawyer (approx. 1% plus VAT): 3,025 euros
• Total: approx. 29,275 euros, or just over 11.5% of the price

Costa del Sol (Andalusia)

• Transfer tax (7%): 17,500 euros
• Notary and registration (approx. 1.5%): 3,750 euros
• Lawyer (approx. 1% plus VAT): 3,025 euros
• Total: approx. 24,275 euros, or just under 10% of the price

The same property price therefore gives a difference of around 5,000 euros depending on the region.

Costs If You Take Out a Loan

If you borrow from a Spanish bank to buy the property, there are often costs for a valuation of the property and sometimes an arrangement fee. The bank may also require certain insurance policies in connection with the loan.

Ongoing Costs After the Purchase

Once the property is yours, there are ongoing costs:

• municipal property tax (IBI)
• fees to the community of owners (comunidad), if the property is part of an area with shared spaces
• waste collection, electricity, water and insurance
• annual non-resident income tax, based on the property's cadastral value

Summary

If you are buying an existing property:

• Expect around 10–12% on top of the price, depending on the region

If you are buying a new-build:

• Expect 10% VAT plus stamp duty and fees

Would you like an estimate for a specific property? Contact Notar's offices on the Costa Blanca or the Costa del Sol.