When you buy a property in Spain, the price is not the full cost. On top of it come taxes, notary and Land Registry fees, your lawyer, the administration of the purchase and, if you take one, the costs of a mortgage.

Enter a few details below to see an estimate for a resale or new-build home, based on Andalusian rates.

Buying Costs Calculator

What this calculator does not include

The calculator covers the costs of the purchase itself. A few other costs are worth planning for too:

Before you buy

getting your NIE, opening a Spanish bank account and any translations

Making it your home

initial improvements, such as painting, lighting, blinds or air conditioning
renovation, if the property needs updating
furnishing and equipping the home

After you move in

ongoing costs, such as the annual property tax (IBI), community fees, utilities and insurance

These depend very much on the property and on how you want to live in it, so they are worth discussing early, especially with older resale homes.

Who pays the estate agent’s commission?

In most sales on the Costa del Sol, the seller pays it. Having a buyer-focused agent on your side usually costs you nothing.

Are new-builds taxed differently from resale homes?

Yes. Resale homes pay the property transfer tax (ITP). New-builds bought directly from a developer pay VAT and stamp duty (AJD) instead. That changes your total cost, so it’s worth knowing before you compare properties.

Is this the final amount I will pay?

No. It is an estimate to help you plan. The exact figures depend on the property, the purchase and your situation, and your lawyer can confirm them before you sign.

When are these costs paid?

Resale: most costs come at completion. The transfer tax (ITP), notary, Land Registry and gestoría are paid around the signing at the notary. Your lawyer or gestoría usually pays the taxes and registers the property within the required time.

New build: VAT is added to each payment you make to the developer, so it is spread across the reservation, the stage payments during construction and the final payment. Stamp duty (AJD), notary and Land Registry come at completion, when the deed is signed.

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