What Buying Property in Spain Really Costs (Fees and Taxes on Top of the Price)
When budgeting for a property purchase, many buyers only account for the advertised price, forgetting the extra fees and taxes that can add 10–14% on top of the final price. Here’s the full breakdown.
Taxes by property type
- New build: VAT (10% of the price) plus Stamp Duty (AJD), the rate for which depends on the region.
- Resale: Property Transfer Tax (ITP), also set regionally.
Notary fees
The cost depends on the property price and the complexity of the deed (if there’s a mortgage, the deed also covers the loan). It’s a regulated fee set by official scale, so it varies little between notaries.
Land Registry fees
Registering the new ownership at the Land Registry also follows an official fee scale, usually calculated as a percentage of the deed value.
Legal/administrative fees
Handling the tax settlement and registry filing is usually delegated to a gestoría (administrative agent), whose fee varies with the volume of paperwork included.
Mortgage-related costs, if you finance the purchase
- Property valuation, required by the lender.
- Arrangement fee, if the lender charges one.
- Home insurance, usually required as a loan condition.
A worked example
For a new-build property priced at €400,000, total taxes and fees can add between €40,000 and €56,000, depending on the region, whether you’re financing and how complex the transaction is.
Why you should ask for an itemised estimate before reserving
Every transaction has its own details: buying with cash is different from buying with a mortgage, and buying off-plan is different from buying a finished home. Asking for a personalised breakdown before committing to a reservation lets you negotiate and plan with real figures, not generic estimates.
Ready to take the next step?
Our team supports you through the entire buying process, from the first search to signing at the notary. Contact SAGA or browse our listings at SAGA Agencia.
