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Costs of buying property in Spain as a foreigner: complete breakdown
The purchase price is just the beginning. Foreign buyers in Spain should budget an additional 10-15% of the property price for taxes, fees and administrative costs. This guide breaks down every cost so there are no surprises.
The essentials
8 min full read- 1Budget 10-15% of the purchase price for taxes and fees on top of the property cost
- 2Resale properties pay ITP (6-10%); new builds pay VAT (10%) + AJD (0.5-1.5%)
- 3Foreign buyers have additional costs: NIE, sworn translations, power of attorney
- 4Your lawyer (abogado) is your most important expense — never skip legal representation
Buying property in Spain as a non-resident?
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Taxes: the biggest cost after the property itself
The tax you pay depends on whether the property is new (from a developer) or resale (from a private seller).
| Tax | New build | Resale | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITP (Transfer Tax) | — | 6-10% | Varies by autonomous community |
| VAT (IVA) | 10% | — | Always 10% for residential |
| AJD (Stamp Duty) | 0.5-1.5% | — | Only on new builds, varies by region |
ITP (Transfer Tax)
—
6-10%
Varies by autonomous community
VAT (IVA)
10%
—
Always 10% for residential
AJD (Stamp Duty)
0.5-1.5%
—
Only on new builds, varies by region
ITP varies significantly by regionCatalonia charges 10%, Andalucía 7%, Madrid 6%, Valencia 9%. The difference on a €300,000 property is €12,000. Check the rates for your specific region with our ITP calculator.
Professional fees
These fees cover the legal and administrative professionals involved in the transaction:
| Service | Typical cost | Mandatory? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notary (notario) | €600-€1,200 | Yes | Regulated fees based on price |
| Land Registry (registro) | €400-€700 | Yes | Registers your ownership |
| Lawyer (abogado) | 1-1.5% of price | Technically no, practically yes | Essential for foreign buyers |
| Tax representative (gestoría) | €300-€600 | Recommended | Handles tax filings |
| Property valuation | €300-€500 | Yes (for mortgage) | Required by the bank |
Notary (notario)
€600-€1,200
Yes
Regulated fees based on price
Land Registry (registro)
€400-€700
Yes
Registers your ownership
Lawyer (abogado)
1-1.5% of price
Technically no, practically yes
Essential for foreign buyers
Tax representative (gestoría)
€300-€600
Recommended
Handles tax filings
Property valuation
€300-€500
Yes (for mortgage)
Required by the bank
Additional costs specific to foreign buyers
These are costs that Spanish buyers don't face:
- •NIE application: €10-20 (government fee) + €50-150 if you use an agency
- •Sworn translations: €50-100 per document. You'll need translations of payslips, tax returns, credit reports, bank statements
- •Power of attorney (poder notarial): €100-300 if you cannot attend the signing in person
- •International bank transfers: 0.3-1% depending on your bank and the amount. Use a currency broker to save significantly
- •Travel costs: At least one trip to Spain for viewings, plus potentially a second for the notary signing
Complete cost example: €250,000 resale apartment in Málaga
Here is a realistic breakdown of total costs for a foreign buyer purchasing a resale property in Andalucía:
| Item | Amount | % of price |
|---|---|---|
| Property price | €250,000 | — |
| ITP (Andalucía: 7%) | €17,500 | 7.0% |
| Notary | €900 | 0.4% |
| Land Registry | €550 | 0.2% |
| Lawyer | €3,000 | 1.2% |
| Gestoría | €400 | 0.2% |
| Valuation | €400 | 0.2% |
| Translations + NIE | €500 | 0.2% |
| TOTAL ADDITIONAL COSTS | €23,250 | 9.3% |
| TOTAL (property + costs) | €273,250 | — |
Property price
€250,000
—
ITP (Andalucía: 7%)
€17,500
7.0%
Notary
€900
0.4%
Land Registry
€550
0.2%
Lawyer
€3,000
1.2%
Gestoría
€400
0.2%
Valuation
€400
0.2%
Translations + NIE
€500
0.2%
TOTAL ADDITIONAL COSTS
€23,250
9.3%
TOTAL (property + costs)
€273,250
—
Don't forget ongoing costsAfter purchase, you'll pay annual IBI (property tax, €300-€2,000/year), non-resident income tax (IRNR, even if you don't rent it out), and community fees if applicable. Budget €1,000-€3,000/year for these recurring costs.
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Frequently asked questions
Who pays the notary and registry fees — buyer or seller?
In Spain, the buyer pays notary fees, registry fees and their own lawyer. The seller pays their capital gains tax, plusvalía municipal tax and their own legal fees. The estate agent fee is typically paid by the seller.
Can I deduct any of these costs from my taxes?
In Spain, purchase costs are added to your acquisition price (coste de adquisición) and reduce your capital gains tax liability when you eventually sell. Keep all invoices and receipts carefully.
Are costs different for new-build properties?
Yes. New builds pay 10% VAT + 0.5-1.5% AJD instead of ITP. The total tax burden is similar, but the developer usually includes some costs in the price. Always clarify what is and isn't included before signing.
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About this content
Mortgage Content Editor
Published: July 2026
Last updated: July 2026
This page is informational and editorial in nature. It explains how the described mortgage conditions typically work and what to review, without guaranteeing results or replacing a lender’s assessment.