Buying or selling property in Spain · cost calculator for the Costa Blanca
Buying or selling on the Costa Blanca costs a lot more than the asking price, and most people only find out at signing. We give you the real all-in cost in a single number, with no surprises on signing day. We handle everything; you just sign.
- · Licensed advisor in the Valencia Region
- · Up-to-date ITP/AJD rates for CV & Murcia
- · Municipal plusvalía calculated per town hall
Step 1 of 3 · Location
Where is the property?
Costa Blanca · Costa Cálida. Tax breaks vary by region and town.
What you pay, explained
A property sale has costs for both buyer and seller. These are the usual items on the Costa Blanca; the exact figures depend on price, municipality and your situation. We handle them all; you just sign.
Buyer's costs
| Item | Indicative amount |
|---|---|
| ITP · resale homeThe main tax when buying a resale home. CV general rate is 9% since June 2026 (11% on the whole value if the home is above €1M); Murcia is 7.75%. Reduced rates many buyers qualify for — we check whether they apply to you. | 9% (CV) · reduced 6% possible |
| VAT · new buildThe tax you pay instead of the above when buying a new build from the developer. | 10% |
| AJD · new build / mortgageA tax that comes with a new-build purchase or a mortgage. We factor it into your total cost. | 1.4% (CV) |
| NotaryThe cost of signing the deed before a notary. There is usually room for a discount and we secure it for you. | €600–€1,200 |
| Land registryWhat it costs to have the home officially registered in your name. | €400–€700 |
| spainfiscal feeOur end-to-end service: we give you the cost as a closed number and handle everything so you just sign. | 1% + VAT (min. €1,000) |
| NIE (if foreigner)Essential to buy if you are a foreigner. We get it for you and take the paperwork off your hands. | €125 + VAT (€9.84 fee included) |
| Valuation (if mortgaged)Valuation required by the bank if there is a mortgage. Not needed if you buy in cash. | ≈ €300–500 |
Seller's costs
| Item | Indicative amount |
|---|---|
| Municipal plusvalíaPaid by the seller, and every Costa Blanca town hall has its own rules. We calculate and handle it for you. | Depends on town hall |
| Withholding on a non-resident sellerWhen the seller is non-resident, part of the price is held back as a guarantee. We coordinate it so everything adds up. | 3% of price |
| IRNR on the gainIf the seller is non-resident, there is tax on the gain made from the sale. We calculate it and get it sorted. | 19% (any non-resident seller) |
| Agency commissionThe estate agency fee, usually paid by the seller. Optional if you sell privately. | ≈ 3–5% + VAT |
| Energy certificate (EPC)A document required in order to sell. We arrange it for you so you don't have to look for anything. | ≈ €200 |
| Habitation certificateA document (cédula de habitabilidad, also called licencia de segunda ocupación or declaración responsable) needed to transfer the home in the Valencia Region. We handle it for you. | ≈ €200 |
| Mortgage cancellationIf you still have a mortgage, it must be officially cancelled. We take care of the whole process. | ≈ €300–1,000 |
Indicative figures, not official, subject to verification by a licensed advisor. The calculator above gives you the breakdown tailored to your case.
Official sources
The taxes on this page come from the published legislation, not from estimates:
- BOE · Real Decreto Legislativo 1/1993, consolidated Transfer Tax and Stamp Duty Act, ITP and AJD (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab)
- BOE · Ley 13/1997 of the Generalitat Valenciana: ITP rates (art. 13) and AJD rates (art. 14) (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab)
- BOE · Ley 37/1992 on VAT: the tax on new-build homes (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab)
- BOE · Real Decreto Legislativo 2/2004, Local Tax Authorities Act: municipal plusvalía (in Spanish) (opens in a new tab)
- AEAT · The buyer's 3% withholding from a non-resident seller (Form 211) (opens in a new tab)
Pricing
Cost breakdown + tax filings + closing coordination
1% + VATmin. €1,000 + VAT
- · Full cost breakdown (ITP/AJD/notary/registry/plusvalía)
- · We handle every purchase tax with the authorities
- · Notary + registry coordination
- · We resolve the special tax situation if the seller is non-resident
What our conveyancing service covers
Included
- We give you the real all-in cost in a single number, with no surprises
- We handle every purchase tax with the authorities for you
- We coordinate the signing and registration so you don't have to chase anything
- We handle the special tax situation when the seller is non-resident, so the sale doesn't stall
- We get your NIE and represent you in Spain if you are non-resident
Not included
- Notary and registry payments (paid directly to the professional)
- The tax amounts themselves — we calculate and handle them, the money is paid by the client
- Lawsuits or litigation (we refer you to a trusted partner lawyer)
Extra services around your purchase
The paperwork that tends to appear right before or after signing. Book them on their own or together with the conveyancing advisory; third-party costs (notary fees, duties) are separate.
| Item | Service fee |
|---|---|
| Power of attorneyWe draft the power and coordinate the notary (in Spain or at your consulate) so you can buy or sell without travelling. The notary's own fee is separate. | €149 + VAT |
| Utility contracts changed to your nameElectricity, water and gas after completion: we deal with each supplier, arrange new contracts where needed and set up direct debits on your account. | €149 + VAT |
| IBI and waste-tax direct debitOwnership updated with Suma or the town hall and bank direct debit set up so no bill ever goes unpaid. | €79 + VAT |
| Community of owners notificationThe administrator is notified of the change of owner, your contact details are updated and the fees are set to direct debit. | €49 + VAT |
| Padrón registrationAppointment, forms and accompaniment to register at your town hall — the doorway to reduced rates and residency paperwork. | €99 + VAT |
| Tax representation + Modelo 210Buying as a non-resident means your annual IRNR starts with the purchase. We set it up from day one. | from €149 + VAT/year |
Non-resident outside the EU/EEA? See why a tax representative in Spain works in your favour. Tax representative →
Who stands behind this service
Valery Grinkevich
Licensed economist · tax adviser
20+ years of experience · Torrevieja, Costa Blanca
- A chartered economist reviews your transaction and the tax calculation, not an automated form
- ITP and AJD rates for the Valencia Region and Murcia always up to date
- We answer by email or Telegram, in your language
FAQ · buying property on the Costa Blanca
How much does it cost to buy on the Costa Blanca?
Typically between 9% and 12% on top of the property price, all-in. That range covers the purchase tax (ITP at 9% in the CV since June 2026, or VAT on new builds), notary, registry and our fees. We give it to you as one closed number so there are no surprises.
What ITP applies in Valencia and Murcia?
The transfer-tax rate in Valencia and Murcia depends on the region and your personal situation, and there are reduced rates many people qualify for and never claim. We check whether they apply to you and save you whatever we can, with no homework on your side.
How does the plusvalía work in Torrevieja, Orihuela or Benidorm?
The municipal plusvalía is paid by the seller, and every Costa Blanca town hall (Torrevieja, Orihuela, Benidorm) sets its own rules and rates. We calculate and handle it for you so nobody gets hit with an unexpected charge.
Do I need a NIE to buy?
Yes: every foreigner needs a NIE to buy a property in Spain. It is the step that stops a lot of people; we get it for you and take the paperwork off your hands.
What if the seller is non-resident?
If the seller is non-resident, their tax side is special and, handled poorly, can even hold up the sale. We resolve it for you from start to finish, with no surprises or delays.
New vs resale?
A new build and a resale home are taxed differently, so the final cost changes depending on which you buy. We work it out for your specific case and tell you exactly how much you will need.
How long does it take?
A purchase usually completes within a few weeks from offer to signing. We coordinate each step so it runs as smoothly as possible and you do not have to chase anyone.
Can a Brit buy post-Brexit?
Yes, a British buyer can purchase in Spain post-Brexit with no restrictions. The only thing that changes is the tax side, and that is exactly where it pays most to have someone handle it for you. We take care of it.
Do I need to be in Spain to sign?
No, you do not need to be in Spain to sign: you can leave it with a trusted representative who signs on your behalf, without getting on a plane. We explain how, simply.
What property documents are needed?
Signing requires certain documents about the property, and gathering them in time is what prevents delays at signing. We give you a clear list and walk you through it stress-free.
What are the pitfalls of buying property in Spain?
The pitfalls that cost money are fiscal, not about ownership. The main ones: no NIE in time, transfer tax charged on the Catastro reference value when it is higher than the price, the 3% the buyer must withhold if the seller is non-resident, IBI debts that follow the property, and the annual modelo 210 afterwards. We check all of them before you pay a deposit.
Is it safe to buy property in Spain?
Yes, as long as the checks are done before you sign, not after. The deed is signed before a notary and registered at the Land Registry. The risks are debts and tax duties attached to the property or the buyer: unpaid IBI answers against the home for four years, and a missed 3% retention on a non-resident seller falls on the property you have just bought.
What are the hidden costs of buying property in Spain?
The hidden costs are the ones that depend on figures nobody shows you. Transfer tax is charged on the higher of the price and the Catastro reference value: a €240,000 villa with a €262,000 reference value pays 9% on €262,000, that is €23,580 rather than €21,600. If the seller is non-resident you also withhold 3% of the price. We give you everything as one closed number.
Can I buy property in Spain without being a resident?
Yes, non-residents can buy property in Spain, and they pay the same purchase taxes as a resident. What changes is what comes afterwards: from the purchase onwards you file a non-resident return (modelo 210) every year, even if the home is empty, taxed at 19% if you live in the EU, Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein and at 24% anywhere else. We set it up from day one.
Conveyancing by municipality · Costa Blanca
What it costs to buy or sell in each municipality, explained clearly.
- Alicante
Torrevieja
A Torrevieja home that you do not let still owes tax every year: imputed income of 2 % of the cadastral value, or 1.1 % where the municipality’s cadastral values were revised in a general valuation that took effect in the tax period or the ten before it (art.
See the municipality → - Alicante
Orihuela Costa
Orihuela Costa is not a municipality.
See the municipality → - Alicante
Benidorm
What a Benidorm owner pays turns on tax residence, not nationality.
See the municipality → - Alicante
Altea
A gift of an Altea property between the closest family is not a loophole but it is cheap: art.
See the municipality → - Alicante
Jávea / Xàbia
On a Jávea purchase the buyer pays ITP at 9 %, rising to 11 % on the whole value when it exceeds €1,000,000 (art.
See the municipality → - Alicante
Calpe / Calp
Letting a Calpe home short-term is exempt from Spanish IVA as a dwelling (art.
See the municipality → - Alicante
Dénia
Dénia is a Comunitat Valenciana municipality, so ITP is 9 % on a resale purchase, AJD 1.4 %, and the ISD bonification for spouse, children, parents and grandchildren is 99 % of the quota (art.
See the municipality → - Alicante
Alicante City
Buying a resale home in Alicante costs ITP at 9 % of the value, 11 % on the whole value when it exceeds €1,000,000, plus AJD at 1.4 % on the deed (arts.
See the municipality →
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