The costs of buying an apartment in Alicante in 2026: calculate the real total cost.
Buying an apartment in Alicante comes with costs that go well beyond the property price. Taxes, notary fees, registry fees and administrative fees (gestoría) can add up to an extra 10% to 12% on top of the purchase price. If you don't plan for them from the start, they can derail the whole deal. This guide breaks down every cost with figures updated for 2026 and specific to the Comunitat Valenciana.
Before we go through each item in detail, this table sums up the costs any buyer in Alicante should plan for in 2026. The figures correspond to a resale property worth €200,000, roughly the average price of a standard apartment in Alicante city.
| Item | Approximate amount | Who pays | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|
| ITP — Property Transfer Tax | €18,000 (9% of €200,000) | Buyer | Yes |
| Notary (purchase deed) | €600–900 | Buyer | Yes |
| Land Registry | €400–600 | Buyer | Yes |
| Gestoría (administrative agent) | €300–500 | Buyer | Optional |
| Valuation (only if there's a mortgage) | €250–400 | Buyer | If there's a mortgage |
| Estimated total (no mortgage) | ~€19,300–20,000 | — | — |
| Estimated total (with mortgage) | ~€19,550–20,400 | — | — |
The Property Transfer Tax (ITP) is the largest expense when buying a resale property. It's a regional tax — set by the Comunitat Valenciana — and there has been a significant change in 2026 that's worth knowing about.
As of 1 June 2026, the general ITP rate in the Comunitat Valenciana dropped from 10% to 9%, under Law 5/2025 on tax measures (published in the DOGV on 31 May 2025). For properties over €1,000,000, the rate rises to 11%.
For a €200,000 property, the cut means a direct saving of €2,000 compared to deals signed before June 2026.
The public purchase deed must be signed before a notary. Notary fees are set by official tariff (Royal Decree 1426/1989) and aren't freely set: the notary can't charge whatever they want, only what the legal scale dictates based on the property price.
In 2026, notary fees for a purchase deed run between €600 and €900 for properties in the €150,000–300,000 range, according to Fincas La Clau and Arquitasa. The buyer covers the cost of the purchase deed; the seller, if they still have an outstanding mortgage, covers the cost of the mortgage cancellation deed.
You can choose any notary within the area where the property is located. Although fees are regulated, small differences can occur between notaries depending on the number of copies and the complexity of the document.
Once the deed is signed before the notary, it must be registered with the Land Registry so the buyer is legally recognized as the new owner. This step also has fees set by official tariff (Royal Decree 1427/1989).
In 2026, registry fees run between €400 and €600 for a €200,000 property, according to Idealista and Fincas La Clau. That's roughly 0.1%–0.25% of the property price.
{C}{C}Hiring a gestoría (administrative agent) is not mandatory for a purchase without a mortgage. Their role is to process the ITP with the regional tax authority, manage registration with the Land Registry, and coordinate the paperwork between the notary, the registry and the administration.
If there's a mortgage, the bank usually requires its own gestoría and covers its fees for anything related to the loan. Gestoría costs related to the purchase itself — not the mortgage — remain the buyer's responsibility.
The typical cost of a gestoría in 2026 is between €300 and €500. If you decide to skip it, you'll need to settle the ITP directly with the Valencian Tax Agency (ATV) within 30 business days of signing, and register the deed with the Land Registry yourself.
The applicable tax depends on the type of property:
| Type of property | Applicable tax | Rate in Comunitat Valenciana (2026) | Additional stamp duty (AJD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resale (between individuals) | ITP | 9% general rate (since June 2026) | Doesn't apply to the purchase deed |
| New build (developer → buyer) | VAT | 10% (general rate for housing) | 1.4% AJD (down from 1.5% in June 2026) |
| New VPO (subsidized housing) | Reduced VAT | 4% | Reduced AJD |
If you're considering buying a new-build property in Alicante, the 10% VAT plus 1.4% AJD can end up similar to, or even slightly higher than, the 9% ITP on resale properties, depending on the price. On the other hand, with a new build you get a newly constructed home with legal guarantees and no need for renovations.
To make the numbers concrete, here's the full cost breakdown for buying a resale apartment in Alicante for €200,000 in July 2026, including a mortgage:
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Property price | €200,000 | — |
| ITP (9%) | €18,000 | General rate since June 2026 (Law 5/2025) |
| Notary (purchase deed) | ~€750 | Regulated tariff. Approximate |
| Land Registry | ~€500 | Regulated tariff. Approximate |
| Gestoría | ~€400 | Optional. More common with a mortgage |
| Valuation (if there's a mortgage) | ~€300 | Only mandatory with bank financing |
| Total additional costs | ~€19,950 | ~10% of the purchase price |
| Total outlay | ~€219,950 | Not including bank financing |
At Azulcasa we've spent over 20 years guiding buyers through the process in Alicante. One of the things our clients value most is that we explain every cost from day one, with no last-minute surprises. Here's what they say in their own words:
"Today we want to thank Scarlett and Jorge. If we can say today that we have the little home of our dreams, it's thanks to their great management and their willingness to help at every step."
"Wonderful attention and dedication from the whole Azulcasa team. Great professionals with meticulous care for every client. Highly recommended."
"An unbeatable experience. Extremely professional, with maximum warmth and involvement. A safe bet when buying or selling your home."
The general ITP rate in the Comunitat Valenciana has been 9% since 1 June 2026, under Law 5/2025 (DOGV 31/05/2025). Before that date it was 10%. For a €200,000 apartment, the ITP comes to €18,000. Reduced rates exist for buyers under 40 (3%), buyers under 35 for a first main home up to €180,000 (8%), large families and people with a disability rating ≥65% (4%), and VPO housing (6%).
Notary fees are set by official tariff (Royal Decree 1426/1989) and aren't freely negotiable. For a property worth €150,000–300,000, notary fees for the purchase deed run between €600 and €900 in 2026, according to Fincas La Clau and Arquitasa. The buyer covers this cost; the seller covers the cancellation of their own mortgage, if they have one.
No, a gestoría is optional for a purchase without a mortgage. If you don't hire one, you'll need to settle the ITP with the Valencian Tax Agency (ATV) within 30 business days of signing and register the deed with the Land Registry yourself. If there's a mortgage, the bank usually requires its own gestoría for the loan paperwork, though the costs tied to the purchase itself (not the mortgage) remain the buyer's responsibility.
You'll need roughly €60,000–64,000 in savings. Banks finance a maximum of 80% of the price or the appraised value (whichever is lower), meaning you need to cover the 20% down payment (€40,000) plus purchase costs, which in Alicante run between 10% and 12% of the price (€20,000–24,000). This doesn't include the reservation deposit, which normally counts toward the down payment.
For a resale property you pay ITP (9% general rate in Comunitat Valenciana since June 2026). For a new-build property there's no ITP, instead you pay 10% VAT plus 1.4% stamp duty (AJD) since June 2026 (down from 1.5%). In practical terms, VAT+AJD on a new build (11.4%) can end up somewhat higher than the ITP on a resale (9%) for standard prices. To browse available new-build developments in Alicante, visit our dedicated section.
At Azulcasa we work out every cost with you from the first meeting, with no surprises. We've spent over 20 years helping buyers in Alicante, and we know one of the biggest mistakes is reaching the signing without having planned for the total cost. If you're looking to buy an apartment in Alicante and want to know exactly how much you'll need, get in touch with us and we'll walk you through it, no obligation.
We'll explain every cost from day one, with no surprises. Over 20 years helping buyers in Alicante.
Choosing the right real estate agency in Alicante can make the difference between selling your property in 40 days or waiting more than six months. It can also mean buying at the true market price instead of overpaying. This guide explains how the Alicante real estate market works in 2026, which criteria to use when selecting an agency, and what questions to ask before signing anything.
The costs of buying an apartment in Alicante in 2026: calculate the real total cost.
El mercado inmobiliario de Alicante alcanza máximos históricos en 2026.
Financiado por el Programa Kit Digital. Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia de España «Next Generation EU».
