What taxes and fees come with buying a property on the Costa Blanca?

Taking the step towards buying a property on the Costa Blanca often starts with a mix of excitement and very practical questions. Between beaches like La Mata, seafront walks in Altea, or well-connected residential areas of Pilar de la Horadada, the lifestyle wins you over quickly, but it’s worth understanding the numbers properly before you reserve.

This stretch of the Mediterranean attracts buyers from all over Europe for a very specific reason. We’re talking about more than 300 days of sunshine a year, airports like Alicante-Elche with good connections, and a network of towns where you can choose between lively atmosphere, golf, a marina, mountains, or total peace and quiet.

Beyond the climate, day-to-day life matters a lot here. Weekly markets, restaurants open for much of the year, medical centres, supermarkets and international urbanisations make it not just a holiday area, but a place where you can truly live.

Before you sign, the sensible thing is to know what payments you’ll take on besides the property price. And that’s where most questions come up.

What to plan for in buying a property on the Costa Blanca before signing

If you’re considering buying a property on the Costa Blanca, the first thing you need to distinguish is whether you’re buying a new build or a resale. That difference changes a large part of the taxes and is probably the point that creates the most confusion for buyers arriving from other countries.

With a resale, it’s typical to pay ITP, the Property Transfer Tax. With a new home, on the other hand, you usually pay VAT and Stamp Duty (AJD). On top of that come notary fees, land registry fees, an administrative agent if you use one, and in many cases independent legal advice.

How much should you set aside as a guideline? As a prudent reference, many buyers calculate an additional amount on top of the price to cover taxes and completion costs. It’s not a fixed figure, because it depends on the type of property, the deed value and whether there is mortgage financing.

• Resale with ITP, according to the applicable regulations in the Valencian Community.
• New build with VAT plus AJD.
• Notary and Land Registry, needed to complete and register the purchase.
• Administrative agent and solicitor, highly recommended if you’re buying from abroad.
• Mortgage, if you apply for one, with possible costs linked to valuation or bank procedures.

Buying a property on the Costa Blanca should be done with clarity and transparency

Understanding buying a property on the Costa Blanca in detail helps you avoid surprises and allows you to negotiate, compare and decide much more calmly. We support international clients every week and we know that a clear explanation of the process makes all the difference, especially on tax, banking and documentation matters.

Our work doesn’t stop at showing you properties. We also help you review every step, from the reservation to the signing, with legal, banking and after-sales support in several languages. If you want to answer your questions about buying a home on the Costa Blanca with our team, what matters is that you understand each concept clearly before you commit.

Among the costs we usually explain in more detail are purchase taxes, legal fees, utility connection costs and ongoing payments afterwards, such as community fees or IBI. Do you need Spanish residency to buy? Not necessarily, but it’s a good idea to have the right documentation ready, such as the NIE and an active bank account.

• Personalised guidance from the very first enquiry.
• Multilingual team used to working with buyers from all over Europe.
• Legal and banking support tailored to each transaction.
• New build, resale and rentals in different areas of the Costa Blanca.

If you’re taking your first steps in buying a property on the Costa Blanca, we can guide you with a close, clear approach and a realistic view of the process so you can buy with confidence.

• Phone: +34 603 314 570
• Email: office@desire-properties.com
• Address: Avenida Del Pino P C - Numero 9 - Pinar De Campoverde 03191 (Alicante)