What it really costs to buy a home in Southern Europe
Taxes, fees and paperwork for foreign buyers in Spain and Portugal, explained plainly and checked against official sources.
Estimate your buying costs
- Purchase price
- €250,000
- Transfer tax (ITP)Set by each region, from about 4% to 13%
- €17,500
- Notary and land registryRough allowance
- €2,500
- LawyerOften around 1% plus VAT
- €2,500
- NIE, bank and adminRough allowance
- €750
- Costs on top of the price9.3% of the price
- €23,250
- Cash you need in total
- €273,250
Estimates only. Taxes vary by region and change over time, and mortgage costs are not included. Rates last checked: October 2026.
We explain how buying a home abroad actually works: the taxes, the paperwork and the real costs. Every guide links to the official source and is reviewed by a local professional.