Buyer guide
Buying a resale property in Spain
The process, the costs, and the checks that matter — written for a first purchase on the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca.
From viewing to keys
The process, the checks and the decisions in between
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Buying a resale home in Spain is not complicated, but it is unfamiliar, and the order things happen in is different from the UK, Ireland or Scandinavia. This is what the process actually looks like, and where people lose money when they rush it.
Get your NIE first
The NIE is your Spanish foreigner's identification number. You cannot buy a property, open a bank account or pay tax without one. Applications go through a Spanish consulate in your own country or a police station in Spain, and appointments in high season can take weeks. Start this before you find a property, not after.
Use your own lawyer
Appoint an independent lawyer who is not connected to the seller or the agent. They check that the seller genuinely owns what they are selling, that the property is registered as it is described, that there are no outstanding debts attached to it, and that any extension or pool has planning permission.
The three stages of a purchase
- Reservation. A small deposit, typically €3,000 to €6,000, takes the property off the market for two to four weeks while your lawyer does their checks.
- Private purchase contract. Usually 10 per cent of the price. From here the agreement is binding: if you withdraw you lose the deposit, and if the seller withdraws they normally owe you double.
- Completion at the notary. The balance is paid, the deeds are signed, and you receive the keys the same day.
What it costs on top of the price
Budget ten to twelve per cent above the purchase price for a resale property. The largest single item is transfer tax, which is regional and banded.
| Cost | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer tax (ITP) | 7% in Andalusia | Regional and banded; Valencia differs |
| Notary | €600 – €1,200 | Scales with the price |
| Land registry | €400 – €900 | Registering the new deed |
| Legal fees | ≈1% + VAT | Your own lawyer |
| Valuation | €300 – €600 | Only if you are taking a mortgage |
What resale homes are asking now
Costa del Sol, from our own listings
- Homes listed
- 1060
- Median asking price
- €1,800,000
- Median price per m²
- €6,946 / m²
Asking prices across 1060 homes we currently list in Costa del Sol. Not a market-wide index.
Sold prices are not published in Spain the way they are in some countries, so these are asking prices. A completed sale is usually below the asking price, and the gap widens the longer a property has been listed.
Resale homes available now
Before you make an offer
- Ask how long the property has been on the market, and whether the price has moved.
- Ask for the last community fee statement and the most recent IBI receipt.
- Check the energy certificate exists — it is a legal requirement to sell.
- Visit at different times of day. Coastal roads and beach clubs sound very different in August.
- If it is part of a community, ask whether any major work has been voted for. You inherit your share.
Reviewed guidance
The resale team
Resale specialists · Reviewed 17 August 2026
Reviewed guidance, not individual legal or tax advice. For a specific purchase, confirm the current rules with an independent Spanish lawyer.