PURCHASE GUIDE — COSTA DEL SOL
Your Complete Guide to Buying Property in Southern Spain

01
Welcome to the Costa del Sol Property Market
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.
02
Taxes & Costs When Buying Property in Spain
New-Build Properties (from developers)
When purchasing a brand-new home or off-plan project, the buyer pays:
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IVA (VAT): 10%
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AJD (Stamp Duty): 1.2% in Andalusia
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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:
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ITP (Transfer Tax): 7%
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Notary & Land Registry: 1–1.5%
Total estimated cost: 8–8.5%
Who Pays the Agency Commission?
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In Spain, the buyer never pays commission.
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The seller or the developer pays all agency fees.
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This means you receive full professional representation at zero cost.
03
Step-by-Step Purchase Process
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
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.
04
Annual Ownership Costs
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IBI (property tax): 0.4–1.1%
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Community fees: depend on amenities
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Rubbish tax: ~€150–€200/year
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Insurance: optional but recommended
05
Why the Costa del Sol Is a Top Property Market
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Strong capital appreciation
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High rental demand year-round
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International schools & modern infrastructure
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Safe, stable and highly liquid market
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Lifestyle unmatched in Europe
