What is the ITP tax when buying property in Spain?

ITP (Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales) is the transfer tax on resale property purchases. In Andalucía (which covers Marbella, Fuengirola, Mijas, Benalmádena and the rest of Costa del Sol), the rate is 7% of the purchase price.

What taxes apply to new build property purchases in Spain?

New build properties are subject to VAT (IVA) at 10% of the purchase price, plus AJD (stamp duty) at 1.5%. There is no ITP on new builds.

Do I need a NIE to buy property in Spain?

Yes, a NIE is mandatory for any property purchase in Spain. You cannot sign the notarial deed, open a Spanish bank account or pay the ITP without a NIE.

Can I buy property in Spain without being present?

Yes. You can grant a power of attorney (poder notarial) to Costa Expat to sign the purchase deed on your behalf at the notary. Many of our clients in Marbella and Fuengirola complete their purchase entirely remotely.

Property Purchase Costs in Spain [2026] — Complete Breakdown

Buying property in Spain as a foreigner involves significantly more costs beyond the purchase price. Budget an additional 9–13% on top of the property price. This guide explains every cost in detail, with a real example for a €350,000 property on Costa del Sol.

Resale vs New Build — Why Costs Differ

✓Resale property: Subject to ITP (transfer tax) at 7% in Andalucía
✓New build property: Subject to IVA (VAT) at 10% + AJD (stamp duty) at 1.5%

Full Cost Breakdown (Andalucía / Costa del Sol — 2026)

Cost item	Resale property	New build	Notes
ITP (Transfer Tax)	7%	—	3.5% for under-35s / large families
IVA (VAT)	—	10%	New builds only
AJD (Stamp Duty)	—	1.5%	New builds only
Notary fees	0.1–0.5%	0.1–0.5%	Regulated by law
Land Registry fees	0.1–0.25%	0.1–0.25%	Registering in your name
Gestoría fees	€300–600	€300–600	Tax/registry management
TOTAL estimate	~9–10%	~12–13%	On top of purchase price

Real Example: €350,000 Resale Property in Marbella

Item	Amount
Purchase price	€350,000
ITP at 7%	€24,500
Notary fees	~€875
Land Registry fees	~€525
Gestoría	€400
Total additional costs	~€26,300
Total budget required	~€376,300

ITP Reduced Rates in Andalucía

Buyer profile	Rate
General	7%
Under 35 (primary residence ≤ €150,000)	3.5%
Large family	3.5%

New Build: Full Tax Calculation

For a €350,000 new build in Marbella:

✓IVA (10%) = €35,000
✓AJD (1.5%) = €5,250
✓Total taxes alone = €40,250 vs €24,500 for resale

What Buyers Often Miss

✓NIE: €9.84 + management fee (mandatory before purchase)
✓Currency exchange: FX costs if paying in GBP, USD, etc.
✓Annual IRNR: Non-resident property tax due every 31 December — see our IRNR guide
✓IBI (council tax): Annual property tax, typically €300–1,500/year
✓Community fees: Monthly/quarterly fee for maintenance of communal areas

Buying Remotely via Power of Attorney

Many international buyers in Marbella and Fuengirola purchase without travelling to Spain via poder notarial. Costa Expat handles the full process: NIE, bank account, due diligence, contracts, notary and registration.

Property Purchase Costs in Spain [2026] — ITP, Notary & All Hidden Fees