The rule of thumb on the Costa del Sol: add 10–13% to the purchase price to cover taxes and fees. Here is exactly where that money goes, for both resale and new-build purchases.
Buying a resale property
Transfer tax (ITP): 7% of the price. Andalucía flattened its rate to a single 7% band — one of the more competitive rates in Spain.
Notary and land registry: typically €1,500–€3,000 combined, scaling with the price.
Legal fees: commonly around 1% of the price plus VAT.
Buying a new build
VAT (IVA): 10% of the price instead of ITP.
Stamp duty (AJD): 1.2% in Andalucía.
Notary, registry and legal fees as above.
If you take a Spanish mortgage
Since 2019 the bank pays the mortgage stamp duty and most setup costs. Your costs are the property valuation (around €300–€600) and any arrangement fee, typically up to 1% of the loan. More in our mortgage guide.
Running costs to budget after purchase
IBI (annual council tax) — often a few hundred euros for apartments.
Community fees — from modest to substantial depending on facilities.
Non-resident income tax — a small annual imputed tax if you do not rent the property out; rental income is declared instead if you do.
Want the exact number for a property you have seen? Use our purchase cost calculator or ask us for a written cost breakdown — we prepare one for every buyer before an offer.
