Spain's property transfer tax — the main tax cost when buying a resale property in Spain, paid by the buyer.
ITP — Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales — is Spain's property transfer tax on resale (second-hand) residential properties. It is the single largest additional cost in most Spanish property purchases and is paid by the buyer to the regional tax authority at the time of purchase. The amount due is calculated as a percentage of the declared purchase price (or the official reference value — valor de referencia — if higher, following 2022 changes).
ITP is a regional tax in Spain, meaning the rate varies by autonomous community. This variation is significant and should factor into your budget. As of 2026, rates include: Andalucía 7%, Catalonia 10%, Community of Madrid 6%, Valencian Community 10%, Murcia 8%, Castilian regions 8–9%, and the Canary Islands 6.5% (ITPAJD). Balearic Islands has a sliding scale reaching 11–13% for higher-value properties. Always verify the current rate with your lawyer as these rates are periodically revised by regional governments.
New build properties are not subject to ITP. Instead, they attract VAT (IVA) at 10% for standard residential properties (reduced to 4% for social housing) plus AJD (Actos Jurídicos Documentados — stamp duty) at a rate that also varies by region. This distinction — ITP for resale, VAT for new build — is fundamental to understanding your total purchase cost.
Following the 2022 reform, Spain introduced a valor de referencia (reference value) for each property based on cadastral data. If the declared purchase price is below this reference value, the tax authority calculates ITP on the reference value, not the actual price. This prevents under-declaration but also means you may pay tax on more than you actually paid. Your lawyer should check the valor de referencia for any property you intend to buy before you make an offer.
ITP must be settled within 30 working days of the escritura (notarial deed) being signed. Your lawyer typically calculates the amount due, completes the relevant regional tax form (Modelo 600 in most regions), and submits payment on your behalf as part of the conveyancing process.
No. Under Spanish law, ITP is always paid by the buyer. It cannot be transferred to the seller by contract, though the negotiation of the overall purchase price can obviously take tax liabilities into account.
The regional tax authority can issue a complementary tax assessment (liquidación complementaria) if they determine the declared price was below the valor de referencia. Interest and a potential surcharge apply to any underpayment discovered within the four-year inspection period.
ITP paid on a primary residence purchase is generally not deductible from personal income tax in Spain. For investment properties, it may be added to the acquisition cost for capital gains calculation purposes when you eventually sell. Consult a Spanish tax lawyer for advice specific to your situation.
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