Cost of Buying Property in Spain: Taxes & Fees 2026

The advertised price of a Spanish property is the start of the sum, not the end of it. On top of the price you'll pay taxes and fees that, in most cases, add 10-15% to the total. None of it is hidden, exactly, but it catches people out constantly, so here it is in plain terms.

The single biggest variable is which tax applies, and that depends on whether you're buying a resale or a brand-new home.

In this article

If you're buying a resale (most purchases)

You pay transfer tax, known as ITP. This is set by each region, so it varies a lot: roughly 6% in Madrid, 7% in Andalucía, around 9-11% in the Valencian Community and Catalonia, and higher still in parts of the Balearics. On a €300,000 home that difference alone can be tens of thousands of euros, so it's worth knowing your region's rate before you fix your budget. ITP is generally due within 30 days of signing.

If you're buying a new build

Instead of ITP you pay VAT (IVA), currently 10% on a new residential property (21% on a plot of land), plus stamp duty (AJD) of roughly 1-1.5% depending on the region.

The costs that apply either way

Notary and Land Registry fees, typically around 1-2.5% combined.
Legal fees for your independent solicitor, usually around 1-2% including VAT. Worth every cent, as later posts explain.
Municipal plusvalía, a tax on the increase in land value since the property last sold. Usually paid by the seller, but it can be negotiated onto the buyer, so check.

One piece of good news: the estate agent's fee is normally paid by the seller, not you.

That's a lot to work out!

Don't worry, you’ll find a Hidden Costs Calculator on every Kyero property listing page, under the section titled ‘Cost of Purchase’.

It’s available when a property is for sale, and gives you all the calculations automatically, so you can start using it right away to help understand the real costs of purchasing abroad as you browse.

Don't be Thomas

Thomas and his wife moved from the USA to Almuñécar in Granada. Having bought plenty of property in the States, they simply didn't expect a buyer's transfer tax, and it landed on them late in the process as an expensive surprise. They found the money, but it was a jolt that a single conversation early on would have prevented. His story is on episode 19 of the Kyero Spanish Property Podcast.

The lesson isn't that Spain is expensive to buy in. It's that the costs are knowable, so know them, build them in at the start, and completion day holds no surprises.

Your checklist for this step

Find out the ITP transfer tax rate for the specific region you're buying in (we show this on every property listing)
Work out whether you're buying resale (ITP) or new build (VAT + stamp duty)
Add notary, registry and legal fees (roughly 2-4% combined) to your sum
Check who pays the plusvalía in your deal
Re-run the Kyero budget calculator with the full costs included
Note that the agent's fee is normally the seller's, not yours

Get the full breakdown

The free Spain Buying Guide itemises every tax and fee, with the percentages and who usually pays.

Download the free Spain Buying Guide →

Or carry on reading. The next post tackles borrowing: "Will I need a mortgage - and can I even get one?"

Written by

Nick Storey

Nick 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

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