Spanish Property Purchase Costs

Purchase Costs & Taxes

Typically, you should budget about 11.5% of the property price for purchase costs, though this amount can vary depending on property type, value, and transaction complexity.

Transfer Tax (ITP)

For resale properties in Spain, buyers pay a transfer tax (Impuesto de Transferencia de Propiedad, ITP): 7%. Off-plan purchases are taxed at 10% VAT (IVA) plus a 1.5% transfer tax. Garages, storage units, and plots of land are taxed at 21% plus a 1.5% transfer tax.

Notary Fees, Land Registry, Stamp Duty

Notary fees may vary from time of writing this article, your lawyer will be able to provide you with up to date costs. At time of writing notary fees may reach up to approximately €1,750, with the total amount varying according to factors such as the number of pages or the complexity of the title deed (for instance, inclusion of statutes, staged payments, or properties that are partially completed). For reference, notary fees for an apartment valued at €300,000 are estimated at approximately €546, while a property priced at €600,000 would incur notary fees of around €678. For properties exceeding this value, any increase in fees is generally marginal.

Property registry inscription fees similarly depend on the nature and complexity of the transaction. By way of example, registering an apartment valued at €600,000 in the name of a single individual without a mortgage loan may incur fees of approximately €300. In contrast, registration of a property with the same sale price in the names of two individuals and purchased with a mortgage loan could result in fees in the region of €800.

Lawyers Fees

Lawyer's fees are generally 1% + IVA of the selling price but will depend on the lawyer own fee structure and the price of the property.

Municipal Added Value Tax (Plus Valia)

This tax is based on the increase in the Town Hall index value of the land from the last purchase to the current sale. For apartments or townhouses, it is usually under €1000 if sold within five or six years, but may be higher for villas with more land. The vendor typically pays this tax unless otherwise agreed. Since various factors affect the calculation, especially length of ownership, verify the amount before buying.