Buying a property facing the Peñón de Ifach is the dream of many investors and international residents. However, the price you see on the real estate portal is not the total outlay. To avoid financial surprises, it is vital to know the additional costs, which on the Costa Blanca usually range between 12% and 15% of the purchase price.
In this guide updated to 2026, we break down each tax and fee so your investment in Calpe is transparent and secure.
As a foreigner, before signing any document, you need two basic administrative requirements:
Foreigner Identification Number (NIE): It is your tax identifier in Spain. You can apply for it at your country’s consulate or at a police office in Spain.
Bank account in Spain: Essential to set up utility direct debits and pay local taxes.
The heaviest tax in the transaction depends on whether the property is new or second-hand.
If you buy directly from the developer, the taxes are:
VAT (Value Added Tax): A national rate of 10% applies.
IAJD (Documented Legal Acts Tax): In the Valencian Community, this tax is usually 1.5%, although reduced rates exist for certain groups.
This is the most common case in Calpe. Here you do not pay VAT, but rather the:
ITP (Property Transfer Tax): In the Valencian Community, the general rate is 10%.
In addition to taxes, there are the “closing costs” associated with the legality of the deed:
Notary: Fees are regulated by state tariffs. They usually range between €600 and €1,000, depending on the property price and the length of the deed.
Land Registry: Registering the new ownership in the Altea Property Registry (which covers Calpe) costs approximately between €400 and €700.
Management agent (Gestoría): The professional who settles the taxes and processes the registration. Their fees are not regulated, but usually range around €300 - €500.
Lawyer (Recommended): For a foreigner, having an independent lawyer conduct the due diligence is essential. They usually charge 1% of the purchase price.
Imagine you buy a resale apartment near Playa de la Fossa. These would be your estimated costs:
Item | Percentage / Estimate | Amount |
Purchase Price | Property value | €250,000 |
ITP (Tax) | 10% | €25,000 |
Notary | Estimated | €850 |
Land Registry | Estimated | €550 |
Management Agent | Estimated | €400 |
Total Additional Costs | approx. 10.7% | €26,800 |
TOTAL INVESTMENT | €276,800 |
Note: If you apply for a mortgage, you should add valuation costs (approx. €300-600) and consider that the bank usually finances 60-70% of the value for non-residents.
Once you are an owner in Calpe, you must comply with the following obligations:
IBI (Property Tax): Annual municipal tax payable to the Calpe Town Hall. It varies according to the cadastral value.
Garbage Collection Fee: Annual payment for waste collection.
IRNR (Non-Resident Income Tax): If you do not live permanently in Spain, you must pay this tax annually (even if you do not rent out the property, it is payable for “imputed income”).
Community Fees: Monthly fees if the property belongs to a complex with shared services (pool, gardens, etc.).
Buying a property in Calpe as a foreigner is a structured process, but it requires financial planning that goes beyond the sale price. Reserving an additional 11% to 13% will allow you to carry out the transaction with complete peace of mind.
At Marina Digorn, we accompany international investors at every step, from obtaining the NIE to the notary signing, ensuring that your investment on the Costa Blanca is a resounding success.
