Property for Sale in Spain

Spain is not one property market. Regional transfer taxes range from 6% to 11%, price per square metre varies by a factor of eight, and rental licensing rules differ not only by region but by municipality and even by building.

This page compares the regions international buyers actually shortlist, so you can rule out five of them quickly and spend your energy on the one that fits.

The regions, compared honestly

Costa del Sol (Andalucía): the deepest international market, best winter climate on the mainland, strongest luxury segment, 7% transfer tax. Costa Blanca (Valencia region): 30–45% cheaper per m², larger Northern-European communities, cooler and wetter winters, 10% transfer tax. Balearics: highest prices outside prime Madrid, strict rental licensing, seasonal from November to March. Barcelona: strong city fundamentals, tight and politically volatile rental regulation. Valencia city: the best value city buy in Spain right now. Inland Andalucía and Murcia: the cheapest entry in the country, but thin resale demand.

Buying taxes by region

Resale transfer tax (ITP) is 7% in Andalucía, 10% in Valencia and Catalonia, 8–11% banded in the Balearics, and 6% in Madrid. New build is 10% IVA nationwide plus regional AJD stamp duty of 0.5–1.5%. That regional spread is worth €18,000 on a €600,000 purchase between Andalucía and Valencia — enough to matter, not enough to pick a region on.

What non-residents need in place

A NIE number (two to four weeks, obtainable at a Spanish consulate or in Spain), a Spanish bank account, and an independent lawyer. If you are not an EU citizen, buying property does not grant residency — the Golden Visa route closed in April 2025. Non-EU owners visit under the 90/180 Schengen rule unless they obtain a non-lucrative visa or a digital nomad visa.

Why most international buyers still choose the Costa del Sol

Three reasons that show up in every buyer conversation: 320 days of sun with genuinely usable January and February, the largest concentration of international schools and English-speaking private healthcare in Spain, and the deepest resale market — which matters most on the day you sell. The trade-off is price: you pay 30–45% more per square metre than the Costa Blanca for it.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the cheapest place to buy property in Spain?

Inland Murcia, inland Andalucía and parts of the Costa Cálida offer habitable properties from under €90,000. The trade-off is a thin resale market and limited international infrastructure.

What taxes do I pay when buying property in Spain?

Resale transfer tax is 7% in Andalucía, 10% in Valencia and Catalonia, 6% in Madrid. New build is 10% IVA plus regional stamp duty of 0.5–1.5%. Add roughly 2–3% for notary, registry and legal fees.

Does buying property in Spain give me residency?

No. Spain's Golden Visa closed in April 2025. Property ownership does not confer residency; non-EU buyers use the non-lucrative visa or the digital nomad visa instead.