Buying property on the Costa del Sol is a safe, fully regulated process backed by Spanish and EU law. Whether you’re purchasing a beachfront apartment, a contemporary villa, or an investment property, this guide will walk you through every step — from taxes to the final signing at the notary.

New-Build Properties (from developers)
When purchasing a brand-new home or off-plan project, the buyer pays:

• IVA (VAT): 10%

• AJD (Stamp Duty): 1.2% in Andalusia

• Notary & Land Registry: 1–1.5%
  
  

Total estimated cost: 12–13.5% of the property price
 
Resale Properties (secondary market)
For resale homes in Andalusia, the buyer pays:

• ITP (Transfer Tax): 7%

• Notary & Land Registry: 1–1.5%
  
  

Total estimated cost: 8–8.5%
 
Who Pays the Agency Commission?

• In Spain, the buyer never pays commission.

• The seller or the developer pays all agency fees.

• This means you receive full professional representation at zero cost.

Step 1 — Consultation & Property Curation
We define your goals, filters, lifestyle needs and investment strategy.
 After that, we prepare a curated selection of the best projects (new-build and resale).

Step 2 — Viewings / Virtual Tours
We schedule visits or virtual tours, guiding you through pros, cons and ROI potential of each property.

Step 3 — Reservation
To secure the chosen property:

• Sign a Reservation Contract

• Pay €6,000–€10,000 (refundable in specific cases)
  
  

Step 4 — Legal Due Diligence
Your lawyer:

• Verifies ownership & licenses

• Checks debts, permissions & technical documentation

• Protects your deposit and funds

Legal fees: ~1% of the price

Step 5 — Private Purchase Contract (PPC)
For new builds: staged payments
For resales: 10% deposit

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Step 6 — Mortgage (optional)
Foreign buyers can obtain:

• 60–70% LTV

• competitive interest rates
  
  

Step 7 — Notary Completion
You sign the Title Deed (“Escritura”), transfer the final payment and receive the keys.

Step 8 — Registration & Utilities Setup
Your lawyer registers the property and arranges utilities, taxes and community setup.

• IBI (property tax): 0.4–1.1%

• Community fees: depend on amenities

• Rubbish tax: ~€150–€200/year

• Insurance: optional but recommended

• Strong capital appreciation

• High rental demand year-round

• International schools & modern infrastructure

• Safe, stable and highly liquid market

• Lifestyle unmatched in Europe