All Costs When Buying Property in Spain (2026)

Transfer tax (ITP) by autonomous community

The Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales (ITP) is the largest single cost when buying a resale property in Spain. Unlike many countries where property tax is uniform, Spain allows each autonomous community to set its own rate. This creates significant variation depending on where you buy (per Q2 2026):

Region	Standard ITP rate	Notes
Andalusia (Costa del Sol)	7%	Reduced from 8% in 2022
Valencia (Costa Blanca)	9%	Standard rate since 1 June 2026; 11% above EUR 1,000,000 (Ley 5/2025)
Balearic Islands (Mallorca, Ibiza)	8-13%	Progressive: 8% up to EUR 400K, 11% to EUR 600K, 13% above
Catalonia	up to 13%	Progressive rate, plus potential municipal surcharge
Madrid	6%	Lowest standard rate in Spain
Canary Islands	6.5%	IGIC instead of IVA for new builds (7%)

For new-build properties (directly from developer), you pay IVA (10% VAT) instead of ITP, plus AJD (Actos Juridicos Documentados) stamp duty of 1-2% depending on the region.

Notary and land registry fees

Spanish notary fees are regulated by royal decree and follow a degressive scale based on the declared property value. For a typical EUR 200,000-400,000 purchase, expect EUR 600-1,200 for the notary and EUR 400-800 for the land registry (Registro de la Propiedad). These fees are not negotiable but are predictable.

The notary verifies the seller's title, checks for existing charges or liens, ensures the property is free of debt, and witnesses the signing of the escritura publica (public deed). The land registry then records the new ownership, which is your legal protection as buyer.

Legal fees: why an independent lawyer is essential

Spanish law does not require you to use a lawyer for property purchases. However, for non-resident buyers, an independent lawyer (abogado) is strongly recommended. The standard fee is 1% of the purchase price plus 21% VAT, with a typical minimum of EUR 1,500.

Your lawyer should be independent from the seller, the estate agent, and the developer. Key tasks include: conducting due diligence on the property title (nota simple), verifying the property is free of debts and charges, reviewing the contract, attending the notary signing (can act with power of attorney if you cannot be present), and ensuring all taxes are paid correctly.

For Dutch buyers, several law firms on the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, and Balearics have Dutch-speaking staff. See our broker directory for recommendations in your region.

NIE number costs

The NIE (Numero de Identidad de Extranjero) is mandatory for any financial transaction in Spain, including property purchases. The government fee is approximately EUR 10-15. If you use a gestor (administrative agent) to handle the application, add EUR 100-200 for their service. Processing time is typically 2-6 weeks when applied from the Netherlands via the Spanish consulate, or 1-3 weeks when applied in Spain directly.

See our detailed guide: How to apply for an NIE from the Netherlands.

Mortgage-related costs

If you take a Spanish mortgage, additional costs apply. The bank charges an arrangement fee (comision de apertura) of typically 0.5-1% of the loan amount. A property valuation (tasacion) by a certified valuer costs EUR 300-500. Since the 2019 mortgage law reform, the bank pays for the notary costs of the mortgage deed, AJD on the mortgage, and the gestor fee for registering the mortgage. This significantly reduced buyer costs for mortgaged purchases.

Non-residents typically receive 60-70% LTV (loan-to-value), meaning you need at least 30-40% of the purchase price as a down payment plus the acquisition costs. Read more in our Spain mortgage guide.

Annual ongoing costs

After purchase, annual costs for a non-resident property owner in Spain include:

Cost	Typical amount	Frequency
IBI (property tax)	EUR 300-2,000	Annual, set by municipality
Basura (waste collection)	EUR 50-200	Annual
Community fees (if apartment)	EUR 50-300/month	Monthly
Non-resident income tax (IRNR)	EUR 200-800	Annual (even if not renting)
Insurance	EUR 200-500	Annual
Fiscal representative	EUR 300-600	Annual
Utilities (electricity, water)	EUR 100-250/month	Monthly (even if vacant)

The IRNR (Impuesto sobre la Renta de No Residentes) applies even when you do not rent out the property. Spain imputes a fictional rental income based on the cadastral value. The rate is 19% for EU residents on this imputed income, which typically results in EUR 200-800 per year for a standard property.

Dutch tax implications (Box 3)

As a Dutch tax resident owning property abroad, you must declare the property in Box 3 of your Dutch income tax return. The property is valued at the WOZ-equivalent (purchase price or appraised value) minus any outstanding mortgage. The net value is taxed under the forfaitair rendement system at rates between 0% and approximately 2.16% depending on your total Box 3 assets (per Q2 2026).

The double taxation treaty between the Netherlands and Spain prevents double taxation: for Spanish property the Netherlands applies the exemption method with progression reserve, so the property is included when determining your Box 3 rate but the portion attributable to it is then exempted. The administrative complexity is real, though. A tax advisor familiar with both jurisdictions is recommended. Read more: Belasting op een woning in Spanje.

All figures as of Q2 2026. Verify current rates with your legal or tax advisor. Zaminor provides information only, not financial or legal advice. Agencia Tributaria | Belastingdienst

Cost example: EUR 250,000 resale apartment in Andalusia

Item	Amount
Purchase price	EUR 250,000
ITP (7% in Andalusia)	EUR 17,500
Notary	EUR 800
Land registry	EUR 550
Lawyer (1% + 21% VAT)	EUR 3,025
NIE + gestor	EUR 200
Total acquisition cost	EUR 272,075 (8.8%)

Prices as of Q2 2026. Use the Zaminor cost calculator for your specific situation.