Transfer tax (ITP) when you buy a resale home

Terms used

• ITP — ITP is the regional transfer tax the buyer pays when buying a resale home.
• AJD — AJD is a stamp duty the buyer pays on the deed when buying a new build.
• Gestoría — A gestoría is an administrative agency that files tax returns and paperwork on your behalf for a fee.
• Catastro — The Catastro is the official property register that records each property's cadastral data and its reference value.
• Modelo 600 — The modelo 600 is the standard form for filing ITP or AJD, unless your region uses its own.
• Hacienda foral — A hacienda foral is the provincial or regional treasury that collects taxes in the Basque Country and Navarre.

Key rules

• Who pays: The buyer is the taxpayer for ITP on a resale, even when a gestoría files the return.
• Tax base: ITP is charged on the higher of the price in the deed or the Catastro reference value.
• Deadline: File and pay within 30 working days of signing the deed.
• Rate: Your region sets the rate, and the rate of the region where the home is applies.

What ITP is and who pays it

ITP is a regional tax on buying a resale home. You pay it as the buyer, even if a gestoría files the return for you. The seller does not pay it. If you buy a new build, a different tax applies (AJD), and you pay that too.

What the tax is charged on

The tax is charged on the higher of two figures: the price in your deed, or the Catastro reference value of the home. Paying less on paper does not lower the bill. Ask for the reference value before you sign, so you know the real tax base.

If you think the reference value is too high, you can challenge it. A gestoría can tell you whether it is worth it.

Find your region's rate

Each region sets its own rate, and the rate is the one for the region where the home is, not where you live. The state default is 10%. These are the general rates for a resale home in 2025:

• Andalusia 7%
• Aragon 8%
• Asturias 8%
• Balearics 8%, rising progressively to 13% on higher values
• Canary Islands 6.5%
• Cantabria 10%
• Castilla-La Mancha 9%
• Castilla y León 8%
• Catalonia 10%, with 11% on the part of the value above a threshold
• Valencia 10%
• Extremadura 8%, or 7% in some cases
• Galicia 9%
• Madrid 6%
• Murcia 8%
• La Rioja 7%
• Navarre 6%
• Basque Country 4%

Regions change rates often, and reduced rates may exist for young buyers, large families or low-value homes. Confirm the current rate with the regional tax agency, a gestoría or a notary in that region before you budget.

Example: with a rate of 6%, a home with a price of €300,000 and a reference value of €320,000 means tax on €320,000, which is €19,200.

How it is filed and paid

You must file and pay the return (modelo 600, or your region's equivalent) within 30 working days of signing the deed. Most buyers hand this to a gestoría, who files and pays online with the regional tax agency. The notary sends the deed to the authorities, but that does not file your return. You stay liable for the tax.

Late filing without the tax authorities asking first brings a surcharge of 1% per month of delay, plus interest. After 12 months the surcharge is 20%, plus interest.

In the Basque Country and Navarre, the provincial or regional treasury (hacienda foral) runs its own system. Use the decision block below to see which route applies to you.

Each region's tax agency publishes its own ITP rules online. The national tax agency website also links to them.

The timeline and checklist below walk you through the steps in order.

Choosing between options

Which ITP rate and filing route apply to your resale home?

• Home in a common-regime region: Use your region's own general rate and its regional tax agency. Examples: Madrid 6%, Andalusia 7%, Castilla y León 8%, Galicia 9%, Catalonia, Valencia and Cantabria 10%.

• Home in the Basque Country or Navarre: Use the rate set by the provincial treasury (hacienda foral), which has its own tax system. Examples: Basque Country 4%, Navarre 6%.

The rate is set by the region where the home is. Find that region's tax agency, confirm the current rate, then apply it to the higher of the price or the Catastro reference value.

Timeline and deadlines

• Sign the deed at the notary: on the day of completion

• If you file late without the tax authorities asking first, expect a surcharge of 1% for each month of delay, plus late-payment interest: for up to 12 months after the deadline

Checklist

• Find the region where the home is and open that region's tax agency website for its ITP rules

• Check the current ITP rate for housing resales with the regional tax agency, a gestoría or a notary in that region

• Ask for the Catastro reference value of the home and compare it with the price in your deed

Quick answers on who pays what when buying

Who pays the notary and registry fees when I buy a home?

You, as the buyer, usually pay the notary fees for the purchase deed and the registry fees. The seller pays for their own paperwork, such as cancelling an old mortgage. If you take a mortgage, the law puts the mortgage deed's notary fee and stamp duty on the lender, and you pay only for your copies.

What is the deadline to pay the purchase tax after signing the deed?

You must file and pay within 30 working days of signing the deed. If you are late without being asked by the tax office, you pay a surcharge of 1% for each month of delay, plus late-payment interest.

Can I get the IVA back when I buy a home for myself?

No, a private buyer who buys a home to live in cannot recover the IVA (Spanish VAT) paid. Only a business registered for IVA that uses the property in a taxable activity can deduct it. Buying a home to rent out normally does not qualify either, because residential rentals are exempt.