The costs newcomers to Spain most often miss

Terms used

• Gestor — A gestor is a paperwork agent who handles permits, tax and other administrative procedures for a fee.
• TIE — The TIE is the foreigner identity card issued to non-EU residents.
• NIE — The NIE is the foreigner identification number used for taxes, contracts and official procedures.
• IBI — The IBI is the yearly local property tax paid by owners.
• IVTM — The IVTM is the yearly local road tax on vehicles.
• ITV — The ITV is the mandatory periodic roadworthiness inspection for vehicles.
• Certificado de registro — The certificado de registro is the registration certificate EU citizens receive when they register as residents.

Key rules

• Buying: Purchase taxes and fees can add roughly 6 to 10 percent to the price, depending on your region.
• EU citizens: You register and pay only a small fee, with no visa or TIE costs.
• Non-EU nationals: Apostilles and sworn translations are charged per document, so costs grow with each paper.
• Rental deposit: The legal deposit is usually one month's rent, and an extra guarantee of up to two months can be asked.

Start with your situation

Which costs hit you depends on four things: whether you rent or buy, whether you are an EU or non-EU national, whether you own a car, and whether you become a tax resident. Find your situation below and ignore the rest.

Costs for everyone

• Gestor or lawyer fees. A gestor handles paperwork for you. Many newcomers pay one for permits, tax set-up or a purchase, and forget to budget for it.
• Utility setup. Electricity, water, gas and internet can come with connection charges or deposits.
• Furniture and basics. These arrive in your first months, after the big moving costs.
• Tax filing. Once you are a resident, Spain taxes your worldwide income. Filing a return is a cost in time and often in adviser fees.

If you rent

• Deposit. The legal deposit is usually one month's rent. A landlord can also ask for an extra guarantee of up to two months.
• Agency fees. Check who is charged before you sign.
• Utility deposits. See above; these land in the same first weeks as your rent deposit.

If you buy

Budget for roughly 6 to 10 percent of the price on top, depending on your region. That covers transfer tax, or VAT plus stamp duty on new builds, plus notary and registry fees. After you own, expect yearly bills: IBI, waste charges and community fees for the building.

If you are not from the EU

You face the largest paperwork bill, mostly before you move:

• Visa fee, when you need a visa.
• TIE and NIE fees on arrival.
• Police and medical certificates, each with an apostille, which adds a fee per document.
• Sworn translations of foreign documents into Spanish, charged per document.
• Private health insurance, which some visas require.

The documents list below shows what to gather.

If you are an EU citizen

You mostly skip the visa and TIE. You register and receive a certificado de registro for a small fee. Your hidden costs come from housing, tax and any car.

If you own a car

Plan for the annual IVTM road tax, insurance, the ITV inspection and possible re-registration fees if you bring a foreign-plated car.

Turn the map into a budget

Run through the checklist below. It sorts each cost into before the move, on arrival, or in the first months. The FAQ below answers common questions on EU fees, buying costs, foreign income and cars.

Documents you need

• Police certificate, apostilled. Non-EU nationals often need it, and each apostille adds a cost.

• Medical certificate, apostilled. Some visa applications ask for it, and it adds a fee.

• Sworn translation of your foreign documents into Spanish. Non-EU nationals often need it, and it is charged per document.

• Certificado de registro, the registration certificate for EU citizens, issued for a small fee.

• Private health insurance policy, required for some visas.

Hidden-cost checklist to run through before you move

Hidden costs to tick off, with an amount and a due phase

• Add up the cost of your documents: police record, medical certificate, apostilles and sworn translations. Note the amount and mark it as due before the move.

• Write down the visa fee if you need a visa, and mark it as due before the move.

• Price your insurance and flights, note the amounts, and mark them as due before the move.

• Note the NIE or TIE fees (your foreigner ID number and card) and mark them as due on arrival.

• Add the rental deposit and any agency fees to your list, and mark them as due on arrival.

• Estimate utility setup and gestor fees (a gestor is a paperwork agent), and mark them as due on arrival. Include the empadronamiento (town hall registration) if it has a cost.

• Budget for furniture, and mark it as due in the first months.

• Add car re-registration and bank charges if they apply to you, and mark them as due in the first months.

• Note your health insurance cost and mark it as due in the first months.

• List the yearly local charges you will pay: IBI property tax, vehicle tax, waste charges and community fees. Mark them as annual. Check your lease for which ones fall to you.

• Set aside money for your income tax return, filed between April and June, and mark it as annual.

• Note insurance renewals and TIE renewal fees, and mark them as annual.

Check current fees and amounts with the relevant office, as costs vary by situation and region.

Frequently asked questions

Do EU citizens pay visa and TIE fees when moving to Spain?

No, EU citizens do not pay visa or TIE fees, because they only register and get a certificado de registro, which carries a small fee. Non-EU nationals pay the visa and TIE fees, and often translation, apostille and insurance costs on top.

How much extra should I budget when buying a home in Spain?

Budget roughly 6 to 10 percent of the price for transfer tax or VAT plus stamp duty, depending on your region. Notary and registry fees come on top of that. Every year after that you also pay the IBI property tax.

Will I owe Spanish tax on income from abroad once I live there?

Yes, once you are a Spanish tax resident you owe Spanish tax on your worldwide income, and you must file a tax return. Many newcomers miss this cost, so plan for it before you move.

Which costs only apply if I own a car in Spain?

Car owners pay the yearly IVTM road tax, insurance and the ITV inspection. If you bring a foreign car, re-registration fees may apply too.