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Last Updated on 11/07/2025 by STEPHANE
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What is the real cost of owning your Spanish property as a non-resident?
Article Overview: Get the essential information in 30 seconds, then dive deeper into any section that interests you.
Key Facts: Spanish Property Ownership Costs 2025
- Total Annual Cost: 0.8% of property value per year for non-residents
- Local Tax (IBI): 0.15% annually based on valor catastral (€360 for €100,000 valor catastral)
- State Tax (Form 210): 0.05% yearly if empty, or 19% of rental income if rented
- Basic Utilities (Empty Property): €41/month (€15 water + €20 electricity + €6 gas)
- Community Charges: €50-100/month depending on building amenities
Expert Insights:
- Registration Deadline: Register your property with Town Hall within two months after purchase to avoid 5-year back-payment penalties
- Payment Automation: Set up domiciliation for IBI payments if living abroad – prevents late fees and missed payments
- Due Diligence: Request Assembly documents before buying to understand true community costs and future maintenance expenses
- Tax Filing Alert: If buying with spouse/children, each owner must file a separate Form 210 tax return
- Cost Planning: Budget €150 for gas meter reopening certification if utilities were previously disconnected
Congratulations on your purchase. Now, let’s check the annual costs of owning your property.
You’ll have those divided into five different groups: Taxes, Insurance, Utilities (Electricity, Water, Gas, Television, Internet, Telephone), the charges of your property and eventually Community Charges.
Let’s have a look at a concrete example: a two-bedroom apartment in Barcelona of 100 m2 with a market price in 2022 of 440.000€ and a “Valor Catastral” of 100,000€. We assume a rental value of 18.000€.
1. Taxes
If you want to have a detailed view from our experts on this subject, have a look at our article: What taxes do you have to pay on your Spanish property?
Here is a quick summary:
• Local Tax: IBI, “Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles“
What is it? A local tax on any Spanish property.
Who has to pay for it? Any owner of a Spanish property, whether local or foreign.
How do you know? You’ll get a letter after June of any year, but some local authorities don’t send it. You owe this tax
Who is the beneficiary? The tax is payable to your local Town Hall. Those are for infrastructure, waste collection,…
If you pay late, you will incur a penalty.
Where can I pay it? Your local Town Hall, a few of which are available online.
Our tip: A few of them allow domiciliation of payment: straightforward, they will take the amount from your account every year. A great solution if you’re living abroad. Ensure your account balance is sufficient: some banks may refuse to pay or charge high interest if the account falls into negative territory.
How is the Tax Calculated? The IBI is based on the “Valor Catastral“. The “Valor Cadastral” can be legally adjusted if needed by any Town Hall.
What if your property is empty? You owe the tax!
If you forgot it, your local town hall could recoup the amounts due for the last 5 years + penalties… So, now you know!
The IBI for the apartment in Barcelona is under 0.6% of the “Valor Catastral“: i.e. 360€
• State Tax: You are renting it. You are not renting it… Modelo 210 – Form 210
A. You are renting out your apartment ⟹ Quarterly filing, before the 15th of the month following the end of the quarter.
The State tax for the apartment in Barcelona is 19% of the “Rental Value”: i.e. 3648€ on an annual basis and 912€ on a quarterly basis.
B. Your apartment is not rented ⟹ Yearly filing
The State tax for the apartment in Barcelona is under 0.2% of the “Valor Catastral“: i.e. 200€
Where can you find the Spanish form 210 directly in English?
Where can you find the official information for filing your Spanish Form 210 in English?
Have a look at the help guide written in English by the Spanish Authorities.
2. Insurance
The insurance should be approximately 0.05% of the property’s value.
The insurance for the apartment in Barcelona is under 250€.
3. Utilities
If your apartment in Barcelona is empty, you’ll have a few charges to have accounts open and running:
- +/- 15€ / month for water
- +/- 20€ / month for electricity
- +/- 6€ / month for gas
For a total of 41€ / month if your apartment in Barcelona is not rented.
If your apartment in Barcelona is rented, charges may increase up to 150€ / month. With inflation rising since 2021, you should expect those costs to increase even more in the future.
4. Community Charges
This charge depends on the property you bought:
- Is there a lift in the building?
- Is the property new? Does it need more or less of maintenance?
- Are many properties empty?
- Do you have a swimming pool?
- How often is the property cleaned?
For your apartment in Barcelona, expect to pay between 50€ and 100€ per month.
5. Charges on your property
- Do you have a private garden?
- Do you have your private pool?
- The paintwork needs doing?
- Do you have a mortgage? Check our paper we wrote on that to find out what is your monthly mortgage payment: What is the cost of your Spanish Mortgage? Your ultimate Mortgage calculator
To sum up: 0.8% per year:
- 0.15% Local tax,
- 0.05% National tax (not rented),
- 0.05% Insurance,
- 0.1% Utilities (empty),
- 0.3% Community charges,
- 0.1% Property charges
Do you want to ensure the cost of buying a Spanish property? Read the news we wrote on this. Last but not least, another interesting paper is: the cost of living in Spain vs any country in the world.
All that information is from reliable sources. We advise you to consult with your fiscal and legal advisors in Spain to ensure that all costs are up to date and adjusted to your specific situation. Find your Spanish property lawyer here.
Do you want to start searching immediately?
Discover the best new build projects in Spain available right now
If you don’t know where to buy, this general article on the Spanish Real Estate market could be handy: Everything you ever wanted to know about the top 20 Spanish real estate markets
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This infographic could help you before buying your new property in Spain.
Don’t try to do it alone, you think you will save money, but you will WASTE money
Stéphane Senior analyst and strategist at HTBIS
Stéphane, with over 20 years of experience in real estate, finance and entrepreneurship, is the co-founder of www.howtobuyinspain.com. With an extensive network of local partners in Spain, his deep commitment to the real estate sector, combined with strong analytical skills and a problem-solving mentality, has fueled his success. Constantly eager to learn and passionate about teaching, Stéphane believes in the power of knowledge sharing to master any subject.
Spanish Property Ownership Costs FAQ
What are the annual costs of owning a property in Spain as a non-resident?
Annual ownership costs total approximately 0.8% of property value, including: 0.15% local IBI tax, 0.05% national tax (if not rented), 0.05% insurance, 0.1% utilities when empty, 0.3% community charges, and 0.1% property maintenance.
Do I need a Spanish bank account to own property in Spain?
Yes, a Spanish bank account is essential for property ownership. You'll need it for taxes, utilities, community charges, and direct debits. To open an account, you must first obtain a NIE (foreigner identification number).
What taxes do you have to pay if you own a property in Spain?
You pay two main taxes: IBI (local property tax) of 0.4-1.1% of cadastral value annually, and Modelo 210 (state tax) of 19% on rental income or 0.2% of cadastral value if not rented.
How much is IBI tax on Spanish property?
IBI (local property tax) ranges from 0.4% to 1.1% of the cadastral value annually, averaging around 0.6%. For a property with €100,000 cadastral value, expect approximately €360 per year. Payment is due after June each year.
What are the disadvantages of buying a property in Spain?
Main disadvantages include ongoing annual costs (0.8% of value), complex tax obligations like Modelo 210 filing, language barriers, potential community charge increases, and penalties for late tax payments or missing registrations.
Can I buy a house in Spain for 50k?
Yes, properties under €50,000 exist in rural areas and smaller towns, but expect additional costs of 12-15% for purchase and 0.8% annually for ownership. Consider location, condition, and resale potential carefully.
What happens if I don't pay Spanish property taxes?
Late IBI payments incur penalties and interest charges. For Modelo 210, penalties can be substantial. Unpaid taxes can lead to property liens and forced sales. Always pay on time or set up direct debit.
How much are community charges in Spain?
Community charges typically range from €50-€100 monthly for apartments, varying by amenities like lifts, pools, gardens, and maintenance needs. New properties generally have lower charges than older buildings requiring more maintenance.
What insurance do I need for Spanish property?
Home insurance is mandatory for mortgaged properties and highly recommended for all. Costs approximately 0.05% of property value annually (around €250 for a €500,000 property). Coverage includes building, contents, and liability protection.
Are utility costs high for empty Spanish properties?
Basic utility costs for empty properties average €41 monthly: €15 water, €20 electricity, €6 gas. If rented, costs can increase to €150 monthly. Inflation has increased these costs significantly since 2021.
