This is the moment the dream meets the spreadsheet, and it's a good moment, because a clear budget is what lets you enjoy the search instead of falling for places you can't have. Work out what you can realistically spend first, and you can ignore everything above it, which saves a lot of heartache.
In this article
Start with the calculator, then subtract
The Kyero budget calculator is the quickest way to a working figure: put in two numbers and you've got a starting point. But the number that matters isn't the sticking price you can reach, it's what's left after the costs of buying.
The rule worth burning into your brain: in Spain, the taxes and fees on top of the purchase price are higher than in many countries. Budget an extra 10-15% of the property price for them, and treat that as non-negotiable rather than a surprise at the end. And on every property listing on Kyero you’ll find the Hidden Costs Calculator, under the section titled ‘Cost of Purchase', so you'll always be aware of the true cost.
So if your total pot is, say, €250,000, you're really shopping at around €215,000-€225,000 once buying costs are set aside. The next post breaks those costs down line by line.
Cash or mortgage
If you're buying with cash, your budget is simply your pot minus those costs. If you'll need a mortgage, two things change. Non-residents can usually borrow 60-70% of the purchase price from a Spanish lender, so you'll need the rest as deposit, plus those costs, in cash.
And you need to be comfortable with the monthly repayments alongside the ongoing costs of running a home in Spain. We cover mortgages properly in a couple of posts' time and you can use our mortgage calulator here.
Knowing your number makes everything smoother
Daniel found buying his three-bedroom home in Playa Flamenca, Alicante, surprisingly quick and easy, and a clear sense of budget is a big part of why purchases go that way: you view the right places, you can move when you find the one, and there are no nasty gaps between the price and what you can actually complete on. You can hear how straightforward it can be on episode 8 of the Kyero Spanish Property Podcast.
A budget isn't a constraint on the dream. It's the thing that makes the dream buyable.
Your checklist for this step
- Get a starting figure from the Kyero budget calculator
- Set aside 10-15% of the price for taxes and fees, and shop below the rest
- Decide whether you're buying with cash or will need a mortgage
- If borrowing, remember non-residents typically get 60-70%, so plan with the Kyero mortgage calculator
- Filter Kyero to your real (post-costs) budget so you only see what you can buy, and use our Hidden Costs Calculator on every Kyero property page.
- Factor in ongoing running costs, not just the purchase
Build the budget properly
The free Spain Buying Guide has a finance section covering budgets, costs and mortgages in detail.
Download the free Spain Buying Guide →
Or carry on reading. The next post opens the bill: "What will it really cost me?"
Written by
Nick StoreyNick Storey is the Operations Director at Kyero.com, where he leads platform operations, product delivery, and commercial strategy.
Having lived and worked in Spain for 14 years, Nick began his career as an estate agent on the south coast of Granada and brings first-hand market experience to his work.
He joined Kyero in 2007 and has since played a central role in scaling the business, shaping its product direction, and strengthening how international buyers connect with agents across Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy
Newsletter
Stay up to date
Receive property recommendations, inspiration and tips on moving abroad.