Costs of Buying a Property in Barcelona: Taxes, Fees, and Key Differences Between New-Build and Resale Homes
November 5, 2025Buying property in Barcelona is an exciting investment — whether it’s a new development in Diagonal Mar or a classic apartment in Eixample.
Beyond the purchase price, however, it’s crucial to understand the real additional costs involved. This 2025 Catalonia-specific guide explains all taxes, notary and registry fees, and the differences between new and second-hand properties.
1. VAT (IVA – Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido)
Rate: 10 % for new residential property.
Example: For a €1,000,000 apartment → €100,000 IVA.
2. Stamp Duty (AJD – Actos Jurídicos Documentados)
In Catalonia: 1.5 % of the declared price in the public deed.
Example: For €1,000,000 → €15,000 AJD.
Total tax for new builds: approx. 11.5 % of the purchase price.
Buying a Resale Property (Second-Hand)
For resale homes, VAT does not apply. Instead, you pay the Property Transfer Tax (ITP – Impuesto sobre Transmisiones Patrimoniales), which since June 2025 in Catalonia is progressive:
Property Value ( € ) | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to 600 000 € | 10 % |
| 600 001 – 900 000 € | 11 % |
| 900 001 – 1 500 000 € | 12 % |
| Above 1 500 000 € | 13 % |
As a result, total taxes on resale properties range roughly between 10 % and 13 %, depending on price.
Notary and Land Registry Fees
Both new and resale purchases require a public deed and registration:
Notary Fees: around 800- 1.200 €, based on property price and deed length.
- Land Registry Fees: around 400- 700 €.
Administrative / Gestoría: around 400- 600 €
In total around 1 500- 2 500 €
Legal Fees
Hiring a lawyer is strongly advised to verify contracts and legal status.
Typical range: 0.5 – 1 % of purchase price (usually €3,000 – €7,000 for standard cases).
Summary of Estimated Costs in 2025
| Property type | Taxes | Other Fees | Approx. Total Additional Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| New- build | ~11.5 % (IVA + AJD) | ~1 % | ~ 12.5 % |
| Resale | 10- 13 % (ITP progressive) | ~1 % | ~ 11- 14 % of purchase price |
*Values are indicative; exact figures depend on each transaction.
Key Takeaways
Buying costs in Barcelona typically range between 11 % and 14 % of the purchase price.
New developments: pay VAT + Stamp Duty.
Resales: pay the progressive Property Transfer Tax (ITP).
Always include notary, registry, and legal fees in your budget.
- Work with a reliable real-estate and legal team to ensure a smooth, transparent purchase process.
Need Help Buying in Barcelona?
At Coldwell Banker Anteris, we assist international clients through every step — from property search to notary signing — ensuring clarity, confidence, and personalized support.
Contact us today to discuss your goals and explore Barcelona’s finest properties.
Feel free to contact us — we have many more properties, and if we don’t have exactly what you need, we’ll find it for you!
Contact