Property purchase taxes in Catalonia
What taxes apply when buying property in Catalonia in 2026?
On the resale market you pay ITP — from June 2025 on a progressive scale: 10% up to €600,000, 11% up to €900,000, 12% up to €1.5M, 13% above. On new builds: IVA 10% plus AJD 1.5%. ITP and AJD are due within 30 days of signing the notarial deed; IVA (VAT) is paid together with the purchase price.
The taxable base is not automatically the price stated in the deed. Since 2022, the valor de referencia applies — a reference value set by the Catastro for every property in Spain. If the valor de referencia is higher than the transaction price, tax is calculated on the higher of the two. The mechanism was introduced to prevent under-declaration in deeds. The reference value can be checked before purchase on the Sede Electrónica del Catastro portal.
If the valor de referencia significantly exceeds the actual market value, the buyer has the right to an appeal procedure (tasación pericial contradictoria) — an independent appraiser challenges the valuation. The procedure is long (6–18 months), costly (€1,500–4,000), and only worth pursuing for substantial discrepancies.
Catalonia's progressive ITP scale works marginally, like a graduated income tax — each price band is taxed at its own rate. For an €800,000 property: 600,000 × 10% + 200,000 × 11% = €82,000 (effectively 10.25%). For €1.2M: 60,000 + 33,000 + 36,000 = €129,000 (effectively 10.75%).
New build market (new construction from developer) — IVA 10% (national rate, doesn't change with price or region) plus AJD 1.5% (Catalonia). Total 11.5% regardless of value. For premium new-build properties, the math often works out more favourably than secondary market with progressive ITP.
Payment: the gestoría associated with the notary office completes form Modelo 600 (or Modelo 601 for AJD) and submits it for buyer approval. Deadline: 30 calendar days from signing the deed.
Penalty for late payment: 5% of unpaid amount (up to 3 months), 10% (3–6 months), 15% (6–12 months), 20%+ above one year — plus statutory interest. Effectively unavoidable, as registration in the Registro is blocked until payment is made.
Plusvalía municipal — additional local tax on increase in land value, but in Spain it's paid by the seller. The buyer doesn't bear this cost.
Last reviewed: 20260514