Hidden costs of buying property in Spain: the real total

The price on the listing is not what you actually pay. On a resale home you should add roughly 10-13% in taxes and fees, and on a new-build around 12-15%. The rule of thumb: budget 10-15% on top of the price. Here is the honest breakdown, no small print, of where that money goes on the Costa Blanca and in the Valencia region.

By Noel Picou and the team at Team Picou, RE/MAX in Finestrat, Alicante. We guide international buyers in 6 languages.

Why the asking price is not the final cost

In Spain, the buyer nearly always pays the purchase taxes and professional fees. They are not surprises, they are known costs, but if you do not budget for them from the start they can throw off your plan. The good news: they are predictable, and a good adviser will give you the full figure before you make an offer.

Taxes: the biggest single item

The tax you pay depends on whether the home is resale or new.

• Resale (ITP): you pay transfer tax. In the Valencia region it is 9% from 1 June 2026, rising to 11% on the part of the price above 1,000,000 EUR. Across other regions, ITP sits roughly between 6% and 10%.
• New-build: you pay 10% VAT plus stamp duty (AJD), which in the Valencia region is 1.4% from 1 June 2026 (AJD generally ranges around 0.5-1.5% depending on the region).

There is more detail in our guide Property purchase tax in the Valencia region.

The professional fees

Beyond the tax, these are the usual costs:

• Notary: around 600-1,200 EUR for the public deed.
• Land Registry: around 400-800 EUR to register the home in your name.
• Gestoria (admin handling): around 300-600 EUR.
• Independent lawyer: around 1-1.5% of the price. Not obligatory, but for an international buyer it is the best money you spend: they check charges, licences and contracts before you sign.

If you take a mortgage, add this

• Valuation: around 300-600 EUR.
• Arrangement fee: 0% to 1% of the loan amount, depending on the bank.

If you are buying with finance, review your options first. The way you structure the purchase (in your own name or through a company) also affects costs and taxes, which we cover in Buying in your own name or through a company.

Resale versus new-build

The key difference is the tax. A resale pays ITP; a new-build pays VAT plus AJD, which usually works out slightly more expensive overall. That is why the range rises to 12-15% on new-builds versus 10-13% on resales. Notary, registry, gestoria and, where applicable, lawyer and mortgage costs are broadly similar in both cases.

Worked example: a 300,000 EUR home

On a 300,000 EUR resale home, the extra costs can add up to roughly 32,000-35,000 EUR, taking the total outlay to around 332,000-335,000 EUR. This is a guide figure: the exact number depends on your region, whether there is a mortgage, and the specific fees. Your adviser should give you the refined figure before you make an offer.

How to budget without surprises

1. Start from 10-15% on top of the price as a cost reserve.
2. Confirm the type of home (resale or new-build): it changes the tax.
3. Ask for a written breakdown of taxes and fees before signing anything.
4. Keep this cash separate: these costs generally are not included in the mortgage.
5. Leave a small margin in case the tax valuation or a fee comes in higher.

If you are a foreign buyer, start with our guide Foreign buyers in Spain 2026, which covers the NIE, a bank account and the first steps.

How Team Picou helps

Before you make an offer we give you the real total figure for your purchase, with taxes and fees broken down for your specific case on the Costa Blanca. We connect you with trusted independent lawyers and gestores and stand beside you at every signing. You can browse properties or, if you are also selling, request a free valuation.

Disclaimer

This guide is general educational information, not legal or tax advice. Rates change and vary by case and by region. Always confirm your own situation with a qualified lawyer or gestor before buying. Updated: July 2026.