Beyond the purchase price, budget roughly 10–12% in Catalonia for taxes and fees. The largest single cost is transfer tax on a resale home (ITP) or VAT on a new build (IVA), followed by notary, land registry and legal fees.
Resale property: transfer tax (ITP)
Buying a resale home means paying ITP, which in Catalonia is charged on a progressive scale. Each band applies only to the portion of the price within it.
| Portion of price | ITP rate (Catalonia) |
|---|---|
| Up to €600,000 | 10% |
| €600,001 – €900,000 | 11% |
| €900,001 – €1,500,000 | 12% |
| Above €1,500,000 | 13% |
New-build property: IVA + stamp duty (AJD)
A new home bought from a developer is not subject to ITP. Instead you pay 10% IVA (VAT) plus 1.5% AJD (stamp duty) in Catalonia — around 11.5% in total on the price.
The other purchase costs
| Cost | Typical guide | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notary | 0.2 – 0.5% | State-regulated; for signing the title deed (escritura). |
| Land registry | 0.1 – 0.25% | Registering the deed in the Registro de la Propiedad. |
| Legal fees | ~1% + IVA | An independent lawyer to run due diligence and completion. |
| Mortgage valuation | €300 – €600 | Only if financing the purchase. |
A worked example: a €1,000,000 resale in Catalonia
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| ITP (progressive: 10% / 11% / 12%) | €105,000.00 |
| Notary (approx. 0.30%) | €3,000.00 |
| Land registry (approx. 0.20%) | €2,000.00 |
| Legal fees (1% + 21% IVA) | €12,100.00 |
| Total costs | €122,100.00 (≈12.2%) |
On this €1,000,000 home, ITP alone is about €105,000.00 because the progressive bands charge 10% on the first €600,000.00, 11% on the next €300,000.00 and 12% on the final €100,000.00. Adding professional fees brings total acquisition costs to roughly €122,100.00.
Buying as a non-resident
Non-residents pay exactly the same purchase taxes and fees as residents — there is no surcharge for foreign buyers. You will need an NIE (foreigner’s identification number) to transact, and a Spanish bank account is usually required for completion and ongoing costs.
Ongoing costs to plan for
After purchase, budget for annual IBI (council tax), community fees for apartments and gated developments, rubbish collection, home insurance, and — for non-residents — the annual non-resident income tax (IRNR) on a deemed or actual rental basis.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to buy a property in Spain?
Allow roughly 10–12% of the purchase price on top of the price itself in Catalonia. The largest element is property transfer tax (ITP) on resale homes, followed by notary, land registry and legal fees.
What is ITP in Catalonia?
ITP (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales) is the transfer tax on resale property. In Catalonia it is progressive: 10% up to €600,000, 11% from €600,001 to €900,000, 12% from €900,001 to €1,500,000, and 13% above €1,500,000.
Do you pay VAT (IVA) when buying in Spain?
Only on new-build property bought from a developer: 10% IVA plus 1.5% stamp duty (AJD) in Catalonia. Resale homes are not subject to IVA; they pay ITP instead.
Do non-residents pay more tax buying property in Spain?
No. Non-residents pay the same purchase taxes and fees as residents; there is no special tax on foreign buyers. Note, however, that when the seller is a non-resident the buyer must withhold 3% of the price towards the seller’s capital gains tax.
What other costs should I budget for?
Notary fees (about 0.2–0.5%), land registry (about 0.1–0.25%), independent legal fees (around 1% plus IVA), a mortgage valuation if financing, and ongoing costs such as IBI council tax and community fees.
How much are the closing costs on a €1,000,000 home in Catalonia?
On a €1,000,000 resale, ITP is about €105,000 (progressive), with notary, registry and legal fees adding roughly €17,000, for total closing costs of around €122,000 — about 12% of the price.