Buying Costs and Taxes When Purchasing Property in Spain (2026)
A clear guide to the real round-trip cost of buying Spanish property in 2026 — transfer tax, VAT and stamp duty, professional fees, annual tax and the rules that apply to non-resident investors.
Buying a home in Spain is refreshingly transparent, but the headline price is only the beginning. Between taxes, notary and registry charges and professional fees, international buyers should plan for a meaningful margin above the asking price. Here is what to budget for in 2026.
Transfer tax on resale homes (ITP)
For a second-hand property you pay Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales, set by each autonomous region. Rates range from 4% in the Basque Country and 6% in Madrid and Navarre, up to 10% in Catalonia, Valencia, Galicia and Cantabria, with most regions between 7% and 8% (idealista.com, lawants.com). Andalusia sits at 7%.
New-build homes: VAT plus stamp duty
Brand-new properties are instead taxed with 10% VAT (IVA) — 7% in the Canary Islands — plus stamp duty (AJD) of roughly 0.5%–1.5% depending on the region, for example 0.75% in Madrid and up to 1.5% in Catalonia (lawants.com, idealista.com).
Notary, registry and legal fees
Notary fees typically run €600–€1,200, land registry €400–€1,000, and a lawyer usually charges around 1%–2% of the price plus 21% VAT (lawants.com). Agent commission in Spain is traditionally paid by the seller, not the buyer.
Annual and non-resident taxes
Once you own, the municipal IBI property tax costs roughly 0.4%–1.1% of the cadastral value each year (spaindinavia.com). Non-residents pay rental-income tax of 19% (EU/EEA) or 24% (non-EU), and capital gains on a later sale are generally taxed at 19%, with the buyer withholding 3% of the price at completion (spaindinavia.com).
2024–2026 changes to watch
Spain abolished its Golden Visa in April 2025, and in January 2025 the government proposed a tax of up to 100% on homes bought by non-EU, non-resident buyers — a proposal, not yet law (fortune.com, blevinsfranks.com).
Realistically, budget 8%–13% of the price in total round-trip costs — nearer the top end for new-builds and higher-tax regions (lawants.com).
This article is for information only and is not legal, tax or investment advice; always consult a qualified local professional before buying.
Sources: idealista.com, lawants.com, spaindinavia.com, blevinsfranks.com, fortune.com