What Does It Really Cost to Buy a Property in Spain? A Complete Guide to All the Fees and Taxes

One of the most common questions we hear from international buyers is: what does it actually cost to buy a property in Spain? The purchase price is only part of the picture. On top of it comes a series of mandatory costs that you need to factor in from the start to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

In this guide we walk through every cost involved in a typical property purchase in the Comunidad Valenciana — with worked examples for a property at €200,000 and one at €400,000.

1. ITP — Property Transfer Tax (resale properties)

ITP (Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales) is the largest cost on top of the price and is paid by the buyer. In the Comunidad Valenciana it currently stands at 10% of the purchase price for resale properties valued up to €1,000,000.

• €200,000 × 10% = €20,000
• €400,000 × 10% = €40,000

If you are buying a new-build property directly from a developer, you pay VAT (IVA) at 10% plus AJD instead — ITP only applies to resale properties.

2. AJD — Stamp Duty

AJD (Actos Jurídicos Documentados) applies to notarial deeds registered in the Land Registry. On a straightforward cash purchase it is negligible (calculated on the notary fee). The significant amount arises if you take out a mortgage — AJD is then calculated on the loan amount.

Current rate in the Comunidad Valenciana: 1.5% of the mortgage amount.

• Mortgage of €140,000 × 1.5% = €2,100
• Mortgage of €250,000 × 1.5% = €3,750

3. Notary fees

The purchase deed must be signed before a Spanish notary. Notary fees are set by the State and calculated on the purchase price. As a guide:

• Property at €200,000: approx. €700–900
• Property at €400,000: approx. €900–1,200

A separate notary fee also applies to the mortgage deed if you are borrowing.

4. Land Registry fee

After signing, the property must be registered in the Spanish Land Registry (Registro de la Propiedad) in the buyer’s name. The fee is calculated on the purchase price and is slightly lower than the notary fee:

• Property at €200,000: approx. €400–600
• Property at €400,000: approx. €600–900

5. Gestoría (administrative agent)

In Spain it is common to use a gestoría — a licensed administrative firm — to handle tax filings, registration formalities and other paperwork after completion. Costs vary but budget around €300–600. If your lawyer handles these steps, the gestoría cost may be included in the legal fee.

6. Legal fees

Hiring an independent lawyer is strongly recommended for any property purchase in Spain. Your lawyer will check ownership, debts, planning status, payment terms and contract conditions — protecting you from risks that are not obvious at first glance.

The fee is typically around 1% of the purchase price:

• Property at €200,000: approx. €2,000
• Property at €400,000: approx. €4,000

Summary: total costs on top of the purchase price

* Mortgage of €140,000 and €250,000 respectively. AJD does not apply — or is negligible — on a cash purchase.

As a rule of thumb, buying costs for a resale property in the Comunidad Valenciana amount to roughly 12–14% of the purchase price if you use a mortgage, or 11–12% if you are buying with cash.

Other ongoing costs to bear in mind

Beyond the purchase costs, you should also budget for:

• Bank charges for currency exchange and international transfers
• Home insurance (compulsory if you have a mortgage)
• Community fees (comunidad de propietarios) — monthly or quarterly charges for shared areas
• IBI — the Spanish annual property tax, paid to the local council
• Utility connections for electricity, water and internet if not already active