The costs on top of the asking price in Spain

You've found a house in the Marina Alta, maybe in Jávea, Moraira, or one of the other towns across the region. The asking price is fixed, or so you'd think. But in Spain, something always gets added to that number. How much exactly differs per municipality and per situation. What we can do is walk you through the items you'll come across, so there are no surprises.

Taxes on purchase

If you buy an existing home, you pay a transfer tax. New builds work differently, with VAT added plus a stamp duty. Which percentage applies and how it's calculated depends on the region and the type of property. We don't guess at this ourselves. For that, we point you to a gestor or tax advisor, someone who knows the current rates and can apply them to your situation.

The notary

Every purchase in Spain goes through a notary. They draw up the escritura, the title deed, and make sure the transfer is officially recorded. The notary charges a fee for this. That fee is set by law and depends partly on the value of the property and the length of the deed.

Registration at the land registry

After the notary, the deed goes to the Registro de la Propiedad, the land registry. That's where the transfer of ownership gets recorded. This also costs money, separate from the notary fees. Without this registration the purchase isn't complete, so it's not a step you skip.

The gestor or lawyer

Many buyers work with a gestor or a lawyer who guides them through the paperwork. From the NIE number to checking the ownership documents and registering with the tax office. This isn't mandatory, but in practice almost everyone works with someone like this, especially if you don't speak the language or don't live in Spain. You agree on the fees separately with that person.

Building inspection

We walk through the house with you before you make an offer. Together with our own building surveyor, we look at the roof, the pipework, damp, the foundation where it's visible. You get a rough indication of any repair costs, so you can make an offer with your eyes open. This isn't a full structural survey with a detailed budget. That level of detail comes after the purchase, once we dig into the design with TREE Constructions and Sani-Kitchen Projects.

Notary costs for the mortgage

If you take out a mortgage with a Spanish bank, that comes with its own deed, its own notary costs, and its own registration at the land registry. The bank itself also charges fees for setting up the loan. Ask the bank for a clear breakdown of this, since it varies a lot between banks and products.

Ongoing costs after the purchase

Once the house is yours, the municipal taxes start, such as the IBI, the property tax. Then there's water, electricity, and possibly a homeowners' association if you buy in a complex. These costs aren't one-off, they're recurring, so it's worth factoring them into what a house costs you per year.

Renovation or refurbishment

If you buy a house that needs work, that brings its own separate process. During the inspection we give a first indication of repair costs, but the real design and the detailed budget come together after the purchase, together with our architect and building surveyor. Sani-Kitchen Projects joins in once it comes to kitchens, bathrooms, or tiling. Step by step, you build a full picture of what the house is going to cost you, from the first viewing to the last tile.

The asking price is the starting point, not the final figure.

We don't list these items to put you off. We do it because a buyer who knows what to expect makes calmer decisions. If you walk through a house with us in Jávea, Dénia, or one of the other villages we work in, we'll talk through what we see on the spot and what that means for the costs still to come.