Who pays what when buying or selling a property in Spain?

Financial

💸 Want to buy a house in Spain? Who pays what when buying or selling a property in Spain?

Are you about to buy or sell a property in Spain? Then it is good to know what costs you will face. Because in addition to the price of the property, there are a number of additional costs that you need to take into account — both as a buyer and as a seller.

In this blog I will give you a clear overview of who pays what, so that you can start your Spanish real estate adventure well prepared.

🏡 What do you pay as a buyer?

As a buyer, you may first think of the purchase price of the home.

But make no mistake: on top of that, there are additional costs that can amount to 10 to 14% of the purchase price.

These are the most important cost items for you as a buyer:

Taxes
- For an existing home, you pay transfer tax (In Costa Blanca you pay 10% transfer tax, in the Murcia region 8% and in Costa del Sol from 7%).
- For a new-build home, you pay 10% VAT + usually 1.5% stamp duty.
Notary fees
- These depend on the value of the home, but count on around €600 to €1,200.
Registration in the property register
- Usually costs between €400 and €650.
Are you taking out a mortgage?
- Then there are additional costs, such as a valuation (on average between €250 and €600).

🏠 What do you pay as a seller?

As a seller, your costs are structured differently. Most of them are related to the profit you make and the sales process itself.

These are the most important cost items for you as a seller:

Capital Gain Tax (plusvalía municipal)
- This tax is paid on the increase in the value of the land since you bought it.
- The amount depends on the municipality and how long you have been the owner.
Estate Agency Fees
- Depending on the office and the region, these are between 3% and 6% of the sale price.
Energy Certificate
- Mandatory when selling a home. Costs between €50 and €250.
Utilities
- You must ensure that all bills (water, electricity, etc.) are paid up to the transfer.

💬 Can you agree on something among yourselves?

Yes, in some cases, the buyer and seller can make agreements about certain costs. But in practice, the costs are usually divided as described above.

A tip: always have it clearly recorded who pays what, preferably with legal advice. This way, you can avoid unpleasant surprises at the notary.

✅ In summary

Whether you are buying or selling: it is important to be well prepared. Knowing what costs you will face will help you to complete your Spanish property deal without stress and without surprises.

💡 Sublicasa will of course be happy to help you with this, step by step. Transparent, reliable and with a personal approach. Because your dream home in Spain starts with good preparation.