Before you fly
What it really costs to buy in Spain
A clear ledger of purchase taxes and professional costs for resale and new-build homes, split between the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca.
8 min readLast reviewed August 2026
At a glance
- Costa del Sol resale
- 8%–10% on top
- The general ITP rate is 7%.
- Costa del Sol new build
- 12%–13% on top
- That includes 10% IVA and 1.2% AJD.
- Costa Blanca resale
- 9% or 11% ITP
- The higher rate applies above €1,000,000.
One headline number hides too much
You will often see one broad percentage for buying in Spain. It is neat, but not especially useful. A resale pays regional transfer tax. A new build pays IVA and stamp duty. The costa changes the rate again.
So we keep the lanes separate. Choose the coast and the kind of home, then use a range for the professional costs that genuinely vary.
A worked ledger at €450,000
Switch both controls to compare the same home across the two costas and purchase routes.
| Cost item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer tax (ITP) | €31,500 | Regional transfer tax for this costa and price band. |
| Notary | €700–€1,200 | A regulated, value-linked range. |
| Land Registry | €400–€700 | The inscription of your ownership. |
| Independent legal work | €5,445–€8,168 | The range includes VAT on independent legal work. |
| Total on top | €38,045–€41,568 | An honest range, before any mortgage valuation. |
Your working ledger
Put your price through the ledger
Change the price, costa and purchase route. The buying costs update immediately, with honest ranges where the final invoice can move.
Estimated buying costs
- Transfer tax (ITP)
- €31,500
- Notary
- €700–€1,200
- Land Registry
- €400–€700
- Independent legal work
- €5,445–€8,168
- Total on top
- €38,045–€41,568
- Effective rate
- 8.45%–9.24%
Includes notary of €700–€1,200, Land Registry of €400–€700, and independent legal work at 1%–1.5% plus 21%. Your own lawyer will confirm the exact figures for your home. Tax facts last checked 2026-08-18.
Questions buyers ask once the sums begin
How much on top of the purchase price should I budget?
On the Costa del Sol, a resale is usually around 8%–10% on top and a new build around 12%–13%. Costa Blanca rates differ, so use the calculator for the right costa and route rather than one blended Spanish average.
How much below the asking price can I realistically offer?
In prime areas, a typical negotiated range has been around 3%–7%. More than 10%–12% is uncommon, and a well-priced home may not move at all. Treat those as context, not a rule for the home in front of you.
Who pays the estate agent, and do I need my own agent?
The seller normally pays commission, often around 5% plus 21%. Agencies share much of the coastal inventory, so one good local expert can usually show you homes from many sellers. Ashworth & Drake introduces you to that expert, rather than selling a listing of our own.
Can I buy in Andalusia at the 2% ITP rate?
Not as an ordinary home buyer. The 2% rate is reserved for professional resellers who meet the price cap and resale deadline. A standard resale purchase uses the general 7% rate unless you qualify for a different named relief.
Keep the next decisions close
Spanish mortgages for non-residents
See what lenders ask for and how much of the price plus costs you should have ready in cash.
From offer to keys, step by step
Put each payment beside the moment it becomes due, from reservation to the notary.
What it costs to own, year after year
Move from the purchase ledger to the bills and small taxes that arrive once the home is yours.
When you are ready
We will introduce you to the right local expert
Tell us the coast you are drawn to and the home you are hoping to find. One considered introduction, in your language.
Use this guide to know what to ask and what to expect. Your own lawyer will confirm the details for your home, and we can introduce you to one we trust.