How much does it cost to buy property in Spain? Taxes and fees in 2026
The costs of buying property in Spain are usually 10–12% of the price when buying on the resale market and 12–14% when buying from a developer. Below we break these costs down by item, according to the rates in force in October 2026.
Purchase costs at a glance (as of October 2026)
| Item | Resale market | New build (from the developer) |
|---|---|---|
| Tax | ITP: 7% in Andalusia, 7.75% in Murcia, 9% in the Valencian Community (up to EUR 1 million; 11% above EUR 1 million) | VAT 10% + AJD 0.5–2% (in Andalusia usually 1–1.5%) |
| Notary | EUR 600–1,200 | EUR 600–1,200 |
| Property registry | EUR 400–700 | EUR 400–700 |
| Gestoría (formalities) | EUR 300–600 | EUR 300–600 |
| Lawyer (recommended) | 1–2% of the price + 21% VAT | 1–2% of the price + 21% VAT |
| World Residence commission from the buyer | none | none |
| Total | approx. 10–12% of the price | approx. 12–14% of the price |
Resale market: ITP tax
When buying second-hand, the buyer pays transfer tax (ITP). The rate is set by the region: in Andalusia (Málaga, Costa del Sol) it is 7%, in Murcia 7.75% (since July 2025), and in the Valencian Community (Alicante, Costa Blanca) from 1 June 2026 it is 9% for properties below €1 million and 11% from €1 million (previously about 10%).
New build: VAT and AJD
When buying from a developer you pay 10% VAT and AJD stamp duty on the notarial deed. Its rate is set by the region (in Spain from 0.5% to 2%); in Andalusia it is usually 1–1.5%.
Notary, registry, lawyer
The notary usually costs €600–1,200, the land registry entry €400–700 and a gestoría (handling of formalities) €300–600. A lawyer is not mandatory, but we recommend one in every case; the fee is usually 1–2% of the price plus 21% VAT. We have built up contacts with Polish-speaking lawyers on every coast and will gladly recommend them.
Example
A resale apartment for €300,000 in Alicante: ITP at 9% is €27,000, plus the notary, registry and gestoría (about €3,000). In total about €30,000, i.e. about 10% of the price, without a lawyer.
What else to remember
Capital gains tax on property (plusvalía) is paid by the seller, while the buyer pays the local IBI tax and community fees every year. All our offers are commission-free for the buyer.
See the offers: apartments in Alicante, houses in Alicante, apartments on the Costa Blanca, apartments on the Costa del Sol and apartments in Málaga. Do you have questions about the costs of a specific offer? Contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays ITP tax when buying property in Spain?
ITP tax is paid by the buyer when buying a property on the resale market. It is settled together with the signing of the notarial deed, and its rate depends on the region.
Does the price in the offer include taxes and fees?
No. The price in the offer is the price of the property, while taxes and fees (ITP, or VAT with AJD, notary, registry) are added separately.
Do I need a lawyer and how much does one cost?
A lawyer is not mandatory, but we recommend one in every case: they check the legal status of the property and the contracts. The fee is usually 1–2% of the price plus 21% VAT. We have built up contacts with Polish-speaking lawyers on every coast and will gladly recommend them.