Property Buying Costs in Spain
Acquiring a property in Spain requires rigorous financial planning. Beyond the sale price, you must account for additional costs that vary by region and property type. This guide helps you understand and anticipate every cost associated with your transaction.
ITP — Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales
ITP is the primary tax on resale property purchases in Spain. Each autonomous community sets its own rate: Madrid offers 6%, Andalusia 7%, Catalonia and Valencia 10%, Basque Country 4%, and the Canary Islands 6.5%.
ITP only applies to second-hand properties. For new builds, you pay IVA (VAT) at 10% plus Stamp Duty (AJD) which varies by region.
Notary Fees
Spanish notary fees are regulated by a legal scale (arancel) and are very low: 0.03% to 0.45% of the sale price. For a €300,000 property, fees range from €600 to €1,200.
This is significantly lower than in many other European countries, making Spanish property investment attractive in terms of transaction costs.
Property Registry (Registro de la Propiedad)
Registration at the Land Registry is mandatory and makes your purchase legally enforceable against third parties. Fees are approximately 0.2% of the purchase price, or about €600 for a €300,000 property.
Gestoria Fees
The gestor handles all post-signing paperwork: tax payments (ITP or IVA), registry filings, and utility transfers. Fees range from €300 to €600. For non-residents, this service is essential to avoid administrative errors.
Agency Commission
Triadica acts as a Buyer's Agent with a 3% commission on the purchase price. This covers personalized property search, legal and tax verification, price negotiation, and NIE assistance.
In Spain, the seller typically pays the listing agent's commission. By choosing Triadica, you get exclusive representation of your interests.
Total Cost Summary
For a €300,000 resale apartment in Madrid: - ITP (6% in Madrid): €18,000 - Notary fees: ~€1,000 - Registry fees: ~€600 - Gestoria fees: ~€500 - Triadica commission (3%): €9,000 - Estimated total: ~€29,100 (approximately 9.7%)
We recommend budgeting 12% of the property price to cover all costs. This may increase in regions with higher ITP or if you take out a mortgage.