Costs of buying a property in Spain 2026: taxes, fees

Buying an apartment in Spain in 2026 usually costs around 12–15% more than the price of the property itself. On top of the price you need to budget for taxes (IVA and AJD on the primary market, or ITP on the resale market), the notary, registration in the land registry and legal services. For an apartment costing €300,000, the total purchase cost is around €336,000–337,000.

How much does it cost to buy an apartment in Spain in 2026?

The real costs of buying property in Spain are usually around 12–15% higher than the price of the property itself. This difference is made up of:

purchase taxes,
the notary,
land registry entry (registro),
legal services and minor administrative fees.

It is worth factoring in all of these charges before signing the deed (escritura).

What taxes do you pay when buying property in Spain?

The level of taxes depends on whether you are buying a property on the primary market or the resale market.

Primary market – new properties from a developer

When buying a new property, the following apply:

VAT (IVA) – 10%,
AJD stamp duty – around 1.2–1.5% depending on the region.

Example AJD rates:

Costa Blanca / Valencia – 1.5%,
Costa del Sol / Andalusia – 1.2%.

Resale market – second-hand properties

On the resale market you pay ITP tax. The most common rates are:

Valencia – 10%,
Andalusia – 7%.

The location of the property therefore has a major impact on the final cost of the investment.

How much do the notary, registro and lawyer cost?

On top of the property price you also need to add the formal costs of the purchase. The most common charges are:

Type of cost	Average cost
Notary	approx. €1,300
Land registry entry	approx. €800
Lawyer	approx. 1% of the property value
Interpreter	approx. €200
NIE number	approx. €150
Bank account	approx. €150
Power of attorney	approx. €130

A good lawyer is one of the most important elements of a safe transaction. They check the legality of the property, any debts and the correctness of the documents.

Example calculation: a €300,000 apartment

Item	Cost
Property price	300 000 €
Taxes	approx. €30,000–34,500
Notary and registro	approx. €2,100
Lawyer	approx. €3,000
Additional charges	approx. €500–1,000

Total purchase cost: around €336,000–337,000.

What are the annual property running costs?

After the purchase you need to allow for ongoing costs. The most important taxes are:

IBI (property tax) – around €300–350 per year,
IRNR for non-residents – around €100–300 per year.

On top of this come utilities, community fees and insurance.

How can you avoid hidden costs?

Before buying, check:

the level of taxes,
the legal status of the property,
debts,
community fees,
a tourist licence,
the technical condition of the building.

Most problems arise when buyers focus solely on the price of the property.

Is it worth buying property in Spain in 2026?

Despite rising prices, Spain remains one of the most attractive destinations for people who are:

looking for a second home,
planning a move,
investing for rental,
wanting to place their capital safely.

The greatest strength of the Spanish market is the combination of climate, lifestyle and investment potential. The condition for a safe and predictable purchase is to prepare your budget in advance, taking into account all taxes and formalities.

Frequently asked questions

How much should you add to the price of a property in Spain?

The safest approach is to allow an extra 12–15% on top of the price of the apartment or house. This covers taxes, the notary, the registro and legal services.

What taxes do you pay when buying a new apartment from a developer?

VAT (IVA) at 10% and AJD stamp duty, which is around 1.2–1.5% depending on the region, e.g. 1.5% in Valencia and 1.2% in Andalusia.

How much is ITP tax when buying on the resale market?

The most common ITP rates are 10% in Valencia and 7% in Andalusia.

How much deposit do you need?

Most often around 30–40% of the property value.

Can you buy property in Spain without a lawyer?

You can, but it is not recommended. A lawyer checks the legality of the property, any debts and the correctness of the documents, and their fee is around 1% of the property value.

Aria Spain will prepare an individual calculation of the costs of buying a new property on the Costa Blanca, Costa Calida or Costa del Sol – the buyer pays no commission (0%), and we help with the NIE number, the bank account, the mortgage and at the notary. Book a free consultation: tel. +48 601 568 844, hello@ariaspain.com.