What is the Total Cost of Buying a New Apartment on Costa Blanca in 2025?

Buying a new apartment on Costa Blanca involves not only the listing price of the property but also additional fees and taxes. In 2025, the total transaction costs may amount to approximately 13–15% of the apartment's value. Below, we provide a complete breakdown of typical costs associated with purchasing a new apartment, along with a sample calculation. You will learn about the taxes to be paid, the costs of notary services, property registration, legal assistance, obtaining a NIE number, and the fees you will face after the purchase (e.g., community fees). This will help you better plan your budget for purchasing property in Spain and avoid surprises.

Listing Price of the Property (Base Price)

The listing price is the amount stated in the advertisement – that is, the basic net price of the apartment set by the developer or seller. In Horizon Properties listings, prices for new properties are usually quoted without taxes unless stated otherwise. For example, a new apartment with 2 bedrooms and a terrace in the Campoamor area (Southern Costa Blanca) is offered for €240,400. This amount serves as the basis for calculating further fees – below we describe what needs to be added to it when purchasing a new apartment on Costa Blanca.

VAT (IVA) – 10% of the Property Price

For new properties in Spain, a VAT (IVA) of 10% of the net property price applies. This means that an additional 10% must be added to the listing price of the apartment. The VAT rate in 2025 remains at 10% for the entire Costa Blanca region, which is part of the Valencia Community (for comparison, in the Canary Islands, VAT – known there as IGIC – is 7%, but Costa Blanca is located on the mainland).

Example: For an apartment valued at €240,000, the VAT will amount to €24,000. Therefore, it is advisable to include VAT in your budget – for a property priced at €200,000, it will be an additional €20,000, and for a price of €300,000, as much as €30,000. This tax is mandatory and payable upon finalizing the transaction with the notary.

Tax on Documented Legal Acts (AJD) – Approximately 1.5% of the Price

When purchasing a new apartment, you must also pay the tax on documented legal acts upon signing the notarial deed, known as AJD (Actos Jurídicos Documentados). In the Valencia region (Costa Blanca), the AJD rate is approximately 1.5% of the property value. This tax is a kind of treasury fee for registering the transaction – the notary calculates it and pays it on our behalf to the office.

It should be noted that AJD applies only to purchases from the primary market. When purchasing a property from the secondary market, instead of VAT and AJD, a different tax (ITP for the transfer of ownership, which in the Valencia region is also 10%) is paid. However, for new apartments on Costa Blanca in 2025, you should budget for approximately 11.5% of the price for taxes (10% IVA + ~1.5% AJD).

Notary Fees and Property Registration in the Land Registry

The purchase of property in Spain is finalized at the notary's office. The notary prepares and signs the deed of transfer of ownership and is responsible for registration in the land registry (the equivalent of the Polish land and mortgage register). Appropriate fees are charged for these services:

Notary fee for preparing the deed of ownership (in Spain, notary rates are regulated and depend on the value of the property and the number of parties to the deed).
Fee for registration in the land registry – for registering the new owner and the transaction.

In practice, the total costs for the notary and registration usually range from a few hundred to about €2,000, depending on the price of the apartment. It is estimated that they constitute about 0.5–1% of the price of the average property, although in extreme cases they can reach up to 2%. For example, for an apartment priced at €250,000, notary and registration fees may amount to about €1,500–2,000. It is worth noting that these are mandatory costs – without the notarial deed and registration, ownership will not be legally transferred.

Legal Assistance (Lawyer Services)

Although using a lawyer's services when purchasing property in Spain is not formally required, it is strongly recommended. A local lawyer or legal advisor (known as asesor or gestor) ensures the security of the transaction: they check the legal status of the property, verify developer contracts, supervise tax payments, and can represent the buyer before authorities.

The cost of legal assistance is usually about 1% of the property price. Some law firms may charge slightly less or more (sometimes 1.5–2% depending on the scope of services), but assuming 1% makes it easy to estimate the expense. For example, for an apartment priced at €240,000, the lawyer's fee will be around €2,400. In return, the buyer gains peace of mind and security – the lawyer will take care of all formalities, document translations, and timely payments, and often help with post-sale matters (setting up utilities, opening a bank account, etc.).

Note: Horizon Properties offers Polish-speaking legal assistance on Costa Blanca – this way, our clients can benefit from the help of experienced lawyers without a language barrier.

Real Estate Agency Commission

Typically in Spain, the real estate agency commission for sales is covered by the seller (developer or owner). This means that when buying a new apartment through a trusted agency, you do not have to worry about a separate fee for the intermediary – it is usually included in the listing price. In the primary market, developers work with agencies, and they compensate the agent from their margin.

However, if you are buying a property where the commission was not included in the price, or if you are using an additional advisory service, such a fee may arise. In the Spanish market, the typical agent commission is around 1–3% of the property price. Fortunately, Horizon Properties listings have clearly defined terms – our agency does not charge buyers additional commissions for standard transaction services. Any potential compensation is covered by the selling party. This way, the price you see in the listing is the price you pay (plus the mandatory taxes and fees discussed above).

Community Fees (Neighborhood Rent)

Buying an apartment or house in a gated community involves subsequent community fees, known as comunidad. This is equivalent to the Polish rent – a fund for maintaining the common areas of the building or community, covering costs for cleaning, maintenance, elevators, pools, security, etc. These fees are not a one-time purchase cost, but it is worth mentioning them as they affect the total cost of maintaining the property. In Spain, comunidad is usually paid once a month, quarterly, or even once a year – depending on the agreements of the residents' community.

The amount of community fees depends on the standard and amenities in the given complex. Sample rates: on Costa Blanca, in a typical apartment building without luxury amenities, the rent is about €30–60 per month, while in communities with pools, gardens, gyms, or security, fees can reach €100–160 per month. Before purchasing, it is advisable to ask the developer or seller about the expected amount of comunidad to include it in your future budget. The first community fee is usually paid after acquiring the unit, proportionally to the billing period.

NIE Number and Its Cost (if you do not have it)

NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) is the identification number for foreigners, required in Spain to purchase property. If you are not a resident of Spain, you must obtain a NIE number before signing the notarial deed – without it, the notary will not conduct the transaction. Obtaining a NIE is relatively straightforward but requires completing formalities at a Spanish office (e.g., at the police station) or at the Spanish consulate.

The cost of obtaining a NIE number is low – the treasury fee for issuing the number is only €15–20. However, the language barrier and waiting time can be problematic. You can hire a lawyer or advisor to obtain the NIE, which incurs an additional cost for the service. Intermediary companies usually charge from around €100 upwards for assistance in obtaining the NIE quickly.

Many Horizon Properties clients obtain their NIE with our help or through the services of a partner law firm – this way, the formalities are handled quickly and without stress. Remember to start the NIE application process well in advance (at least a month before the planned signing of the deed), as in some cities, waiting times may be longer.

Sample Cost Calculation for Purchasing an Apartment

To illustrate what the total cost of purchasing a new apartment on Costa Blanca will be, let’s use a real example from the listings. Let’s take the previously mentioned 2-bedroom apartment in Campoamor with a listing price of €240,400. We assume the purchase is made without a mortgage, with the help of a lawyer and agency. Here is an estimated calculation of all costs:

Listing price (net) – €240,400
VAT (IVA) 10% – €24,040
Treasury tax AJD ~1.5% – €3,606 (assuming a rate of 1.5%)
Notary + registration – approximately €2,000 (estimated)
Legal assistance (lawyer ~1%) – approximately €2,404 (optional but recommended)
Obtaining a NIE number – approximately €200–300 (if you do not have it, cost with intermediary service)
Agency commission – €0 (included in the developer's price, buyer does not pay)

Total: approximately €272–273 thousand for everything. For comparison, without using a lawyer, you will save about €2,400, but this is a risk that few investors choose to take. The above calculation shows that the additional costs of purchasing amount to approximately 13–14% of the property value, which aligns with the general principle (about 13.5% when purchasing for cash).

If you plan to finance the purchase with a mortgage, remember to include the costs of property appraisal, bank fees for granting the loan, and any preparatory fees. In that case, the total costs may be slightly higher (estimated up to ~16% of the price when including bank fees).

Trusted Offers and Expert Assistance from Horizon Properties

Buying a home in a foreign country may seem complicated, but with the right support, it can proceed safely and without stress. That’s why choosing a trusted intermediary is so important. Horizon Properties specializes in selling new properties on Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol – all offers are carefully verified, and the prices are fair and transparent. On our website, you will find dozens of attractive apartments and villas starting from around €200,000, with reliable descriptions and photos. You can conveniently browse new developer investments in Spain, knowing that a professional Polish-speaking agent is overseeing your inquiry.

In addition to finding the perfect property, we provide comprehensive support throughout the purchasing process: from presenting offers, negotiating with the developer, to finalizing the transaction. Our team will assist you with all formalities – from opening a bank account in Spain, obtaining a NIE number, to translating and signing the contract with the notary. We work with experienced lawyers and financial advisors, ensuring our clients receive complete legal and financial advice in Polish.

Contact us today to receive a personalized list of offers tailored to your needs. Fill out a short contact form on our website or call us – we will prepare a free consultation and a preliminary cost estimate for purchasing your dream apartment. With Horizon Properties, buying property on Costa Blanca in 2025 can be easier than you think – see for yourself and start fulfilling your dream of owning a home in sunny Spain!

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