Spanish Property Purchase Costs Calculator: The Real Breakdown

The tax type changes. For Resale properties (second-hand), you pay ITP (Transfer Tax), which varies by region (e.g., 10% in Valencia/Alicante, 7% in Andalusia). For New Build properties, you pay VAT (IVA) at 10% plus Stamp Duty (AJD), which is usually around 1.5%.

Notary fees are fixed by Spanish law based on a sliding scale relative to the property value. For a typical purchase between €150,000 and €400,000, Notary fees usually range from €600 to €1,000. They are paid for the drafting and witnessing of the Public Deed (Escritura).

It is not legally mandatory, but for non-resident buyers, it is highly recommended. A solicitor ensures the property has no debts, verifies urban planning legality, and handles the NIE and bank account setup. Their fee is typically 1% of the purchase price (+VAT).

In the majority of cases in the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol regions, the seller pays the agency fees. However, this can vary in some specific inland areas. We will always confirm this with you before visiting a property.

The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is your fiscal identification number in Spain. You cannot buy a property or open a bank account without it. Your solicitor usually handles the application for you via a Power of Attorney.

Yes. While you can transfer funds from abroad for the purchase, you will need a Spanish bank account to set up direct debits (standing orders) for utility bills (electricity, water, internet) and the annual Council Tax (IBI).

Yes. Spanish banks generally lend to non-residents, but the Loan-To-Value (LTV) is typically lower than for residents. Expect to borrow up to 60% or 70% of the property value. You will need to prove your income and cover the remaining 30-40% plus costs in cash.

This is a local tax levied by the Town Hall based on the increase in the value of the land since the last sale. By law, the seller is responsible for paying this tax, but it is important to ensure this is stipulated in the contract so you do not inherit the debt.

To take a property off the market, you will sign a Reservation Contract and pay a deposit, typically between €3,000 and €6,000. This amount is deducted from the final price. Beware: this deposit is usually non-refundable if you simply change your mind.

You should budget for the IBI (Council Tax), which is paid annually to the Town Hall (approx. €200-€600/year depending on size). Other costs include Community Fees (if in a complex), rubbish collection (Basura), and utilities.

Yes. You can grant a Power of Attorney (Poder Notarial) to your solicitor. This allows them to sign the final deeds and handle administrative tasks on your behalf, so you do not need to fly over for the completion day.

The purchase costs (taxes and notary) remain the same regardless of nationality. However, non-EU citizens (including British) pay a slightly higher tax rate on rental income (24% vs 19% for EU) if they decide to rent out the property.

Using a high street bank to transfer large sums can be expensive due to poor exchange rates. We recommend using a specialist currency broker. They can save you thousands of euros on the transaction and fix the exchange rate in advance.

Our calculator aims to be 100% transparent. However, be aware of small extras like the Bank Valuation (Tasación) if you take a mortgage (approx. €400) or the cost of connecting water/electricity meters in a brand new property (approx. €300-€500).