🏡 Taxes when buying a property in Spain – how much will you really pay in 2026?

Buying property in Spain is a great investment decision…but only if you know the full costs.

Because the truth is simple: the price in the advertisement is not the final price

Taxes when purchasing real estate in Spain are one of the most important elements of the entire investment.

In this article, I will show you specifically: how much taxes and fees are and what you need to prepare for as a buyer.

1. Primary vs. Secondary Market – The Key Difference

This is the first and most important thing:

• Primary market (from developer)

• Secondary market

Why is this important? Because taxes are completely different.

2. Taxes when purchasing from a developer (primary market)

If you are buying a new property:

- VAT (IVA) – 10% of the property price

- Tax on civil law transactions (AJD) – approx. 1.2%

So, the real taxes for an apartment worth 300,000 euros

taxes amount to €33,600

A notary at this value costs approximately €850

The price of notarial activities includes:

• notarial deed (escritura)

• preparation of documents

• signature

Land and mortgage registers (Registro de la Propiedad)

At this value it is approximately 650 euros

The price includes:

• new owner entry

• registration of the deed

Lawyer (abogado)

1% of the property value, i.e. 3,000 euros

The price includes:

• due diligence (real estate check)

• contracts

• contact with a notary

• supervising the entire process

So the real cost of purchasing a property for 300,000 euros is 338,100 euros

3. Taxes when purchasing from the secondary market

If you are buying from the secondary market:

- Tax on civil law transactions ITP

-in Andalusia: 7%

So the real tax for an apartment worth 300,000 euros

taxes is 21,000 €

A notary at this value costs approximately €850

The price of notarial activities includes:

• notarial deed (escritura)

• preparation of documents

• signature

Land and mortgage registers (Registro de la Propiedad)

At this value it is approximately 650 euros

The price includes:

• new owner entry

• registration of the deed

Lawyer (abogado)

1% of the property value, i.e. 3,000 euros

The price includes:

• due diligence (real estate check)

• contracts

• contact with a notary

• supervising the entire process

So the real cost of purchasing a property for 300,000 euros is 325,500 euros

Application:

Secondary market = lower entry tax

If you're looking for a lower entry cost, the resale market might be a better choice. But… it doesn't always mean a better investment.

5. Summary

Really:

Primary market: approx. 13% of the property price

Secondary market: approx. 9% of the property price

6. The most common mistake buyers make

Looking only at the property price

Effect:

❌ no budget for taxes

❌ stress at the end of the process

❌ sometimes abandoning the purchase

And this can be avoided with one move: good analysis at the beginning

7. What about taxes after purchase?

Here you also need to be aware:

• real estate tax (IBI)

• non-resident tax

• rental tax (if you rent)

These are costs that can be well planned.

8. How can we help you?

If you are thinking about buying:

• we will calculate the real investment cost for you

• we will show the differences between the offers

• we will guide you through the entire process

Because here the details really count.

Want to know exactly how much you'll pay?

Write to us – we will prepare a specific calculation for you

Every day we help clients through the entire purchasing process in Spain – without errors and unnecessary costs.”

Read also:

👉 How to safely buy a property in Spain

👉 NIE number, taxes and formalities

👉 Is it worth investing on the Costa del Sol?