Buyer guide · July 2026
Costs and taxes of buying a home on the Costa Blanca
Buying a home on the Costa Blanca costs, on top of the price, between 12% and 15% in taxes and fees. On a resale the main tax is ITP, cut to 9% in the Valencian Community from 1 June 2026; on a new build you pay 10% VAT plus 1.4% stamp duty (AJD).
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Budget an extra 12-15% over the price for purchase taxes and fees.
- Resale: 9% ITP transfer tax in the Valencian Community (reduced 6% and 4% rates if you qualify).
- New build: 10% VAT + 1.4% AJD stamp duty.
- Notary, registry and lawyer add roughly another 2-3%.
- Spain’s Golden Visa ended on 3 April 2025: non-EU buyers should look at the Non-Lucrative or Digital Nomad Visa.
What it costs to buy, at a glance
The property price is only part of it. On top, budget an extra 12-15% in taxes and processing fees. Here is the picture for a typical Costa Blanca purchase in 2026.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| ITP (resale, Valencia region) | 9% of price |
| VAT (new build) | 10% of price |
| AJD stamp duty (new build) | 1.4% of price |
| Notary | €600–900 |
| Land Registry | €400–700 |
| Independent lawyer | ~1% (+ VAT) |
| Gestoría (admin) | €300–500 |
| Approximate total | 12–15% of price |
ITP: the resale property tax
If you buy a resale home, you pay Property Transfer Tax (ITP), set by the Valencian Community. From 1 June 2026 the general rate was cut from 10% to 9%.
Reduced rates apply: 6% if the home is your main residence, is worth no more than €180,000 and you are under 35; and as low as 4% for large families and people with disabilities within the income limits. ITP is paid within 30 working days of signing.
New build: VAT and stamp duty
Buy a new home directly from the developer and you pay no ITP. Instead you pay 10% VAT on the price (4% for subsidised housing) plus stamp duty (AJD), which in the Valencian Community is 1.4% from 1 June 2026.
In practice a new build carries slightly higher taxes than a resale (11.4% versus 9%), but usually comes with warranties, energy efficiency and less renovation.
Notary, registry and lawyer
The deed is signed before a notary, whose fees are set by an official scale and run about €600-900 for an average home. Registering it at the Land Registry adds another €400-700.
Hiring an independent lawyer (around 1% of the price) is strongly advised, especially for foreign buyers: the notary certifies the signing but does not check for charges or defend your interests. The lawyer verifies the nota simple, the planning status and any debts before you pay.
Golden Visa and alternatives for non-EU buyers
Beware of outdated information still circulating: Spain’s Golden Visa through real-estate investment (a €500,000 purchase) was repealed and ended on 3 April 2025. Buying a home no longer grants residency through that route.
For non-EU buyers who want to live in Spain, the current alternatives are the Non-Lucrative Visa (for those who can show sufficient income without working in Spain) and the Digital Nomad Visa (for those working remotely for companies outside Spain). Buying remains open to any foreigner; what changed is that it no longer confers residency.
Frequently asked questions
- How much do I add to the price of the house?
- Between 12% and 15% of the price in taxes and fees: ITP or VAT, notary, registry, lawyer and gestoría.
- What is the ITP rate on the Costa Blanca in 2026?
- The general ITP rate in the Valencian Community is 9% from 1 June 2026, with reduced 6% and 4% rates if you meet certain requirements.
- Do I pay less tax on a new build or a resale?
- A resale (9% ITP) is slightly cheaper on tax than a new build (10% VAT + 1.4% AJD), though a new build brings warranties and efficiency.
- Does buying a house give me Spanish residency?
- No. The Golden Visa through property purchase ended on 3 April 2025. To reside, look at the Non-Lucrative Visa or the Digital Nomad Visa.
TN · COSTA BLANCA
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