Guide · Buying in Spain
Property Buying Costs in Spain 2026: What Comes on Top of the Price
By Ronny Steinhagen, co-founder of CASA READY · As of October 2026 · Reading time approx. 7 minutes
In short
On the Costa Blanca, plan for around 12 to 14% in additional costs for a new build and around 11 to 12% for a resale property. Most of it is tax: for a new build 10% VAT (IVA) plus 1.4% stamp duty (AJD), for a resale 9% transfer tax (ITP), which has applied in the Valencia region since June 2026. In the Murcia region it is 7.75% ITP or 10% IVA plus 1.5% AJD. Notary, land registry, gestoría and lawyer usually add up to 2 to 3%.
Buying cost calculator
Enter the purchase price and choose the region and type of purchase. The result shows taxes and fees individually.
Taxes at the official rates (as of October 2026). Fees are typical values incl. VAT and may vary depending on notary, property and workload.
Taxes on a new build: IVA and AJD
If you buy directly from the developer, there is no transfer tax but VAT (IVA) of 10% on the purchase price. This applies to apartments and houses including up to two parking spaces and storage rooms bought together with the home. Plots and commercial premises carry 21% IVA.
On top comes the stamp duty (Actos Jurídicos Documentados, AJD) on the notarial deed of sale. In the Valencia region it has been 1.4% since 1 June 2026, in the Murcia region 1.5%.
Important for planning: you pay the IVA in instalments together with the payments to the developer, i.e. already during construction. AJD, notary and land registry only become due at handover.
| Valencia region | Murcia region | |
|---|---|---|
| New build: IVA | 10% | 10% |
| New build: AJD | 1.4% | 1.5% |
| Resale: ITP | 9% (over €1m: 11%) | 7.75% |
| Valid since | 1 June 2026 | 25 July 2025 |
Taxes on a resale property: ITP
When buying from a private owner you pay transfer tax (Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales, ITP) instead of IVA. In the Valencia region it was reduced from 10% to 9% on 1 June 2026; properties over €1 million pay 11%. In the Murcia region it has been 7.75% since July 2025.
The tax base is the higher of the purchase price and the official cadastral reference value (valor de referencia). If the price is lower, the tax office uses the reference value. We check it before every offer.
If the seller is not tax resident in Spain, the buyer must withhold 3% of the price and pay it directly to the tax office. This is not an additional tax but an advance payment on behalf of the seller. The notary and the gestoría handle this at signing.
Notary, land registry, lawyer & more
Notary and land registry fees are set by the state in Spain and rise only slightly with the price. For a purchase price of €200,000 you should expect the following amounts (incl. VAT):
| Notary (deed of sale) | approx. €700–1,000 | Official fee scale; the notary checks charges and identity and executes the deed. |
|---|---|---|
| Land registry (Registro de la Propiedad) | approx. €400–700 | Registration as owner; only then are you protected against third parties. |
| Gestoría | approx. €300–500 | Files the tax returns, pays the taxes and handles the registration. |
| Independent lawyer | approx. 1% + 21% VAT | Checks building licence, bank guarantee for deposits, charges and contract. Highly recommended for new builds. |
| NIE, bank account, translations | approx. €100–300 | The Spanish foreigner tax number NIE is mandatory for every purchase. |
| Power of attorney with apostille | approx. €200–400 | Only if you do not travel to the notary in Spain yourself. |
| Bank valuation (tasación) | approx. €300–600 | Only with a mortgage. Since 2019 the bank pays notary, registry and tax on the mortgage deed. |
| Electricity and water connection | approx. €300–600 | For new builds, for the first registration of the meters. |
Three worked examples
Calculated with the buying cost calculator on this page, each with an independent lawyer and without a mortgage:
New-build apartment in the Valencia region, €200,000
| VAT (IVA) 10% | €20,000 |
| Stamp duty (AJD) 1.4% | €2,800 |
| Notary | €850 |
| Land registry (Registro) | €540 |
| Gestoría (processing, tax returns) | €350 |
| Lawyer (approx. 1% + 21% VAT) | €2,420 |
| NIE, bank account, translations | €250 |
| Electricity/water connection (new build) | €400 |
| Total buying costs | €27,61013.8% of the purchase price |
Resale apartment in the Valencia region, €200,000
| Transfer tax (ITP) 9% | €18,000 |
| Notary | €850 |
| Land registry (Registro) | €540 |
| Gestoría (processing, tax returns) | €350 |
| Lawyer (approx. 1% + 21% VAT) | €2,420 |
| NIE, bank account, translations | €250 |
| Total buying costs | €22,41011.2% of the purchase price |
New-build house in the Murcia region, €300,000
| VAT (IVA) 10% | €30,000 |
| Stamp duty (AJD) 1.5% | €4,500 |
| Notary | €1,050 |
| Land registry (Registro) | €660 |
| Gestoría (processing, tax returns) | €350 |
| Lawyer (approx. 1% + 21% VAT) | €3,630 |
| NIE, bank account, translations | €250 |
| Electricity/water connection (new build) | €400 |
| Total buying costs | €40,84013.6% of the purchase price |
Free buying costs guide
All costs on 10 pages, as a PDF
Taxes, fees, the payment schedule for new builds, a purchase checklist and running costs, with worked examples. We will send you the guide personally by email.
- Tax table for Valencia and Murcia
- New-build payment schedule and protection
- Checklist from NIE to notary appointment
- On request: a cost breakdown for your property
Who pays what?
- Agency fee: on new builds it is paid by the developer. Through CASA READY you buy at the same price as directly from the developer.
- Municipal capital gains tax (plusvalía municipal): by law it is borne by the seller. For new builds we check whether the contract passes it on to the buyer.
- Mortgage: since 2019 the bank pays notary, registry, gestoría and tax on the mortgage deed. You only pay the valuation and your copy.
- Community fees and property tax (IBI): paid by the buyer from handover, with the current year split as agreed.
Running costs after the purchase
After the purchase there are annual costs: community fees (typically €600–1,800 for an apartment with a communal pool), property tax IBI and refuse charge (approx. €300–700), insurance (approx. €200–400), electricity, water and internet, and non-resident income tax. When renting out, EU citizens pay 19% on the profit; for own use, a small flat-rate tax on the deemed rental value applies.
How much is left when renting out is shown by our yield calculator. How well a property can be rented depending on the town is explained in the guide Holiday rental occupancy on the Costa Blanca.
Your personal cost breakdown
Do you have a specific property in mind? We will put together all costs to the euro for you, including the payment schedule for new builds and a check of the reference value for resale properties. Free of charge and without obligation.
Frequently asked questions
How high are the buying costs in Spain?
On the Costa Blanca around 12 to 14% for a new build (10% IVA, 1.4% AJD, plus notary, land registry, gestoría and lawyer) and around 11 to 12% for a resale (9% ITP plus fees). In the Murcia region resales are slightly cheaper with 7.75% ITP.
What is the transfer tax (ITP) in the Valencia region in 2026?
Since 1 June 2026 it has been 9% for residential property, 11% for properties over €1 million. Previously it was 10%. The tax base is the higher of the purchase price and the official reference value.
Which taxes do I pay when buying a new build?
10% VAT (IVA) on the purchase price and the AJD stamp duty: 1.4% in the Valencia region, 1.5% in the Murcia region. There is no transfer tax (ITP) on new builds.
Do foreigners pay higher buying costs in Spain?
No. The tax rates are the same for foreigners and Spaniards. In addition you need an NIE and possibly a power of attorney if you do not attend the notary yourself.
Do I have to pay an agency fee on a new build?
No. On new-build projects the developer pays the fee. Through CASA READY you buy at the same price as directly from the developer.
Sources
Tax rates Valencia region: Agència Tributària Valenciana (ATV), ITP and AJD rates, as of October 2026; change on 1 June 2026 by Ley 5/2025.
Tax rates Murcia region: Agencia Tributaria de la Región de Murcia (ATRM), Ley 3/2025, in force since 25 July 2025.
IVA: Ley 37/1992 del IVA, reduced rate of 10% for residential buildings. Fees: notary under Real Decreto 1426/1989, land registry under Real Decreto 1427/1989; amounts are typical values incl. VAT.
This guide is not tax or legal advice. Reduced rates, e.g. for young buyers with their main residence in Spain, are not considered here.