Is a resale property right for you?
A resale is an existing property being sold by its current owner. It may appeal if you want to see the exact layout, views and surroundings before deciding, or have a particular town or neighbourhood in mind.
Some properties are ready to enjoy; others offer the chance to update the kitchen, bathrooms or outdoor space. Compare the purchase price together with any work you would like to do. A lower asking price does not always mean a lower overall budget.
This guide covers buying a resale property on the Costa Blanca, in Alicante province in the Valencian Community, and the Costa Cálida, in the Region of Murcia. The main buying steps are similar, but purchase taxes and local requirements depend on where the property is located.
For the wider picture, including new builds, see our complete property buying guide.
At a glance
Your resale buying journey
01
View & compare
Explore the area and the exact property. Check its condition, layout and what is included.
02
Plan your budget
Allow for taxes, fees and any work. Explore mortgage options early if you need finance.
03
Check the paperwork
Your lawyer reviews ownership, debts, property documents and your intended use before you commit.
04
Agree terms & deposit
Agree the price, included items and completion date. Have your lawyer review terms before signing or paying.
05
Prepare for signing
Arrange your documents, confirm the final payment breakdown and make a final visit to the property.
06
Complete & collect keys
Sign at the notary and pay the remaining price. Receive keys and possession as agreed.
View the property and plan your budget
Take time to look beyond the furniture. Consider the layout, stairs, parking, sunlight, privacy and the condition of terraces and shared areas. Visit the neighbourhood at different times if you can, and ask your agent what it is like throughout the year.
Look carefully at the property’s condition during viewings, ask about any known issues, and get quotes for any renovation work you are considering.
Ask what is included in the sale. Furniture, appliances, parking and storage should be recorded clearly. If you need a mortgage, explore your borrowing options early and allow for the bank’s valuation.
Resale taxes and purchase fees
A standard residential resale purchase normally attracts ITP, Spain’s property transfer tax. This is a different tax route from the IVA charged on an ordinary new-build sale by a developer. The applicable regional rules depend on where the property is located.
Costa Blanca: Valencian Community
The general ITP rate is 9%, reduced from 10% on 1 June 2026. An 11% rate applies where the property value exceeds €1 million. Reduced rates may apply to qualifying purchases.
At the general rate, a taxable value of €300,000 means €27,000 in ITP. Your lawyer confirms the applicable rate and taxable value before you commit.
Costa Cálida: Region of Murcia
The general ITP rate is 7.75%, reduced from 8% on 25 July 2025. Special and reduced rates may apply where the property or buyer meets the relevant conditions.
At the general rate, a taxable value of €300,000 means €23,250 in ITP. Your lawyer confirms eligibility for any reduced rate and the taxable value for your purchase.
Allow for the full purchase budget
Build your resale purchase budget from the applicable regional transfer tax plus an itemised estimate of the purchase fees. There is no single percentage that fits every resale.
Add legal fees, notary and Land Registry charges, plus any valuation, financing or other services you need. Furniture and renovation costs are separate.
Tax examples + indicative fees
A €300,000 resale purchase
Costa Blanca · Valencian Community
General ITP: 9%
€27,000
Transfer tax on a €300,000 taxable value.
Costa Cálida · Region of Murcia
General ITP: 7.75%
€23,250
Transfer tax on a €300,000 taxable value.
Add purchase fees separately
Approximately 1.5–1.8% extra
Legal, notary and Land Registry fees on a €300,000 purchase. Transfer tax is additional.
Legal fees
About €3,630
Example at 1% of the price + 21% VAT. Fixed or minimum fees may apply.
Notary
€600–€1,000
Approximate cost for the purchase deed.
Land Registry
€400–€650
Approximate cost to register the purchase.
Planning estimates, not a quote. Fees vary with the property and work involved. Confirm VAT, copies and other expenses in each quote. Valuation, financing and any separately charged services are extra.
The ITP examples assume a €300,000 taxable value; this may differ from the agreed price. Special or reduced rates may apply. Your lawyer confirms the tax base, applicable rate and itemised purchase fees.
Sources: Spanish Tax Agency: ITP or IVA; Valencian tax legislation, Article 13; Murcia tax legislation, Article 6; ITP taxable value, Article 10.
Fee references: Bankinter: notary and registration costs; CC Lawyers Alicante: legal fees; Abad Associats: fee and VAT example.
The checks before you commit
Your independent lawyer reviews the legal paperwork and asks the seller for the documents needed. Your agent helps coordinate the information.
- Ownership and debts: the seller’s right to sell, the Land Registry record and any mortgage or other charge to clear.
- The property’s paperwork: its registered description, relevant occupancy documents, energy certificate and the status of extensions or alterations.
- Community and local costs: unpaid community fees or IBI property tax, the regular community budget and any approved extra contributions for building works.
- Possession and intended use: whether anyone occupies or rents the property, when it will be handed over and whether your intended use is allowed.
For a Costa Blanca property, your lawyer checks the applicable Valencian and municipal requirements; for a Costa Cálida property, the Murcia and municipal requirements. Ask them to confirm the occupancy paperwork and any permissions needed for your planned renovations or rental use.
These checks help identify anything that must be resolved before signing. The Spanish notaries’ buying guide explains the main documents and checks.
Reservation, deposit and contract
Once you have chosen a property, the price, included items and completion date are agreed with the seller. A reservation or deposit may follow. Have your lawyer review the terms before you sign or pay.
You may hear the term arras: a deposit paid towards the purchase price. The agreement sets out the obligations on both sides and what happens if the purchase does not go ahead. Different forms of arras have different consequences, so do not assume every deposit is refundable or follows the same rules.
One agreed property price
How resale payments fit together
01 · Before completion
Reservation or deposit
If agreed, a deposit is paid towards the purchase price. Your lawyer checks the terms before you sign or pay.
02 · At the notary
Remaining balance
The remaining price is normally paid at completion. Keys and possession are handed over as agreed.
Deposit + remaining balance = property price
A typical resale has no construction-stage payments. Budget separately for taxes and purchase fees.
If you need finance, agree the timetable with your bank and discuss any finance condition with your lawyer before committing.
Prepare for signing
Arrange your NIE, the identification number used by foreign buyers, and prepare your ID and proof of where the funds come from. Your lawyer can explain the paperwork. If you cannot attend in person, a power of attorney can allow someone to sign for you.
Before completion, your lawyer provides the final payment breakdown and checks how any seller mortgage or other charges will be cleared. Confirm bank details through a trusted contact and plan currency transfers in good time.
Arrange a final visit close to signing. Check the property’s condition, the items included in the sale and the handover arrangements. Your bank also needs to finish its mortgage process if you are financing the purchase.
Completion, keys and the first weeks
At completion, the purchase deed is signed before the notary and the remaining price is paid. Keys and possession are handed over as set out in the agreement.
Your lawyer or appointed adviser arranges the purchase tax filing and registration in your name. Confirm the deadlines, who handles each task and when you will receive the final documents.
Arrange insurance, change the utility accounts and notify the community administrator. Keep meter readings and copies of the contract, deed and receipts. If something unexpected comes to light, record it and speak to your lawyer promptly.
Plan for owning the property
Allow for community fees, IBI property tax, local waste charges, utilities, insurance and maintenance. A private garden or pool adds its own upkeep. If the property will be empty for long periods, consider keyholding and regular checks.
If you intend to rent the property out or move to Spain, check the relevant rental, residence and tax arrangements before buying. Ownership alone does not establish a right to live in Spain or permission for tourist letting.
This guide is a starting point. Your independent advisers confirm the legal, tax and mortgage details for your purchase.
Images are AI-generated illustrations.
