Buying property in Spain as a non-resident brings several taxes at purchase, during ownership and on sale. This guide summarises the main ones so you can budget realistically. It is general information only.
This is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Rates and rules are summarised as of early 2026, vary by region and property value, and change frequently. Onora does not verify figures or give advice — always confirm with a qualified local adviser before acting. See our disclaimer.
At a glance
| Tax | Indicative basis (early 2026) |
|---|---|
| Transfer tax (resale, ITP) | ~6–10% of price, set regionally |
| VAT + stamp duty (new-build) | 10% IVA + ~1–1.5% AJD |
| Annual property tax (IBI) | ~0.4–1.1% of cadastral value |
| Rental income (non-resident) | 19% net (EU/EEA) · 24% gross (non-EU) |
| Capital gains (non-resident) | 19%, with 3% withheld by the buyer at sale |
At purchase
On a resale property you pay Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales (ITP), a regional transfer tax that broadly ranges from about 6% to 10% depending on the autonomous community and price band. On a new-build bought from a developer you pay 10% VAT (IVA) instead, plus a stamp duty (AJD) of roughly 1–1.5%. Budget a further ~2–3% for notary, registry and legal fees.
During ownership
IBI is the annual municipal property tax, based on the cadastral value (typically well below market value), broadly 0.4–1.1%. Non-residents who do not rent out are also subject to a small "imputed income" tax on a notional rent. Some regions levy a wealth tax, and a national solidarity tax applies to large net worths — relevant mainly at higher values.
Rental income
Non-resident landlords resident in the EU/EEA are taxed at 19% on net rental income (after allowable expenses). Non-residents from outside the EU/EEA are taxed at 24% on gross income with no deductions — a meaningful difference to model.
On sale
Capital gains for non-residents are taxed at 19%. The buyer withholds 3% of the sale price and pays it to the tax authority on account of the seller's gain; any balance is settled in the seller's return.
Residency & "Golden Visa"
Spain's residence-by-investment programme (the "Golden Visa", which included a €500,000 property route) was abolished in April 2025. Buying property in Spain no longer provides a residence permit. Treat any purchase purely on its property merits and look at standard visa routes separately if residency matters to you.
In short
- Resale → ~6–10% transfer tax; new-build → 10% VAT + stamp duty; plus ~2–3% fees.
- Annual IBI is modest; non-EU landlords are taxed on gross rent (24%) vs 19% net for EU/EEA.
- The property Golden Visa ended in 2025 — buy for the property, not a visa.
This is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Rates and rules are summarised as of early 2026, vary by region and property value, and change frequently. Onora does not verify figures or give advice — always confirm with a qualified local adviser before acting. See our disclaimer.
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