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Annual taxes and costs of owning a home in España

Property ownership and recurring costs

Owning a home in España involves more than paying IBI.

An owner's annual budget may include IBI, municipal fees or charges, homeowners' association fees, insurance, utilities, maintenance and various tax obligations. The exact combination depends on the municipality, whether the property is part of a community, the property's use and the owner's tax residence.

View the main costs Prepare an annual budget
Last reviewed: 8 August 2026 Jurisdiction: España → municipality → Autonomous Community where applicable Main profile: individual property owner

Cost overview

There is no universal annual percentage for maintaining a home

Two properties with the same purchase price can generate very different annual costs. The cadastral value, municipality, communal services, the presence of a pool or gardens, consumption, the condition of the property and the owner's tax situation can substantially change the budget.

IBI

Municipal tax

IBI is calculated within the national legal framework, but the rate, reliefs and payment schedule must be checked with the relevant town hall.

COM

Community fees and special assessments

Under horizontal property ownership, there may be regular fees, a reserve fund and special contributions approved by the community.

TAX

Personal taxation

IRPF, IRNR and certain wealth taxes depend on tax residence, use, rental, ownership and the taxpayer's assets.

MAN

Private costs

Insurance, electricity, water, internet, repairs, climate control, garden, pool and remote management are all part of the true cost of ownership.

The purchase price alone does not make it possible to calculate how much it will cost to maintain the property. To budget accurately, the property, municipality, community and owner's tax profile must be reviewed.

Annual summary

Items an owner should review

Item When it may apply Who determines the amount What to check
IBI
Tax		 Recurring tax on properties subject to it. State framework + relevant local council. Cadastral value, tax ordinance, rebates, tax bill and municipal schedule.
Waste
Local		 According to the applicable municipal charge or property-related levy and ordinance. Local authority. Liable party, amount, frequency and collection system in the specific municipality.
Homeowners' association
Not a tax		 When the property forms part of a community or complex subject to the applicable regime. Budget, title deed, ownership share and community resolutions. Regular fee, reserve fund, approved special assessments, minutes and shared services.
Personal income tax on imputed real-estate income
Conditional		 It may be relevant for certain properties owned by resident taxpayers that are neither their main residence nor generate income. State personal income tax regulations. Tax residency, nature and use of the property, and periods during which it is available to the owner.
IRNR
Non-resident		 It may apply to a non-resident individual owner of an urban property for personal use or left vacant, with specific rules also applying if it is rented out. State regulations and AEAT. Tax residence, cadastral value, days of ownership/use and Form 210.
Wealth Tax
Conditional		 Only where the taxpayer’s financial situation and the applicable rules bring them within its scope. National framework and, where applicable, regional or provincial tax regulations. Residence, net wealth, location of assets, exemptions and applicable territorial regulations.
Solidarity Tax
High-net-worth individuals		 Only where net wealth falls within the scope of the national tax. State / AEAT. Total wealth, residence, interaction with Wealth Tax and the rules in force for each tax year.
Home insurance
Private		 According to the owner’s needs and the applicable contractual or financial terms. Insurer and policy. Building, contents, third-party liability, deductibles, exclusions and insured sum.
Utilities
Private		 Electricity, water, gas, telecommunications or other contracted services. Provider, tarifa and consumption. Fixed charges, consumption, contracted power capacity and periods of non-occupancy.
Maintenance
Variable		 For any property; increases depending on age, equipment and private services. The property’s actual needs and service providers. Climate control, painting, appliances, garden, pool, repairs and a contingency reserve.

IBI

IBI is annual, but the actual amount must be checked municipality by municipality

Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles is a local tax. The Local Taxation Act establishes its national framework and provides that its taxable base is constitutuited by the property’s cadastral value. The specific amount then depends on the applicable rules and the municipal ordinance.

  • Request the latest IBI bill for the specific property.
  • Check that the cadastral details correspond to the property purchased.
  • Do not use the bill for another property as an automatic reference.
  • Check discounts and the payment schedule with the relevant town hall.
  • If a transfer takes place during the year, distinguish the status of taxpayer from any financial allocation agreed between buyer and seller.

Primary source: Consolidated text of the Local Finance Regulation Act .

Verified national rule · 8 August 2026

National law links the IBI tax base to the cadastral value and establishes a tax period that coincides with the calendar year. The tax accrues on the first day of that period.

Do not publish an “IBI rate of España”

There is no single amount applicable to all municipalities. For a specific amount, the local tax ordinance must be used and the information provided by the town hall where the property is located.

Homeowners' association

A low monthly fee does not guarantee low annual community costs

In a building or development with shared services, the owner may have to contribute to general expenses according to their ownership share or as otherwise specifically established. In addition to the ordinary fee, there may be extraordinary works, measures or special assessments.

ORD

Ordinary fee

It may cover cleaning, maintenance, administration, lifts, gardens, swimming pools, security or other shared services.

DER

Special assessments

Façades, roofs, accessibility, installations or other works may result in additional contributions depending on the agreements and applicable regulations.

ACT

Minutes and budget

Before estimating the annual cost, it is advisable to review the current budget, recent meeting minutes and works already approved or anticipated.

Legal basis

The Horizontal Property Act includes among the owner's obligations the duty to contribute to general expenses for the proper upkeep of the property and to fund the reserve fund under the terms established by law. See the consolidated text of Act 49/1960 .

Waste and other local costs

The property's exact address also matters after purchase

Act 7/2022 establishes a framework for local authorities to have a charge or, where applicable, a specific public financial charge to fund the management of locally administered waste. The specific method of application must be checked in the relevant municipal bylaw.

  • Do not assume that the charging system is identical across municipalities.
  • Check who is listed as the liable party in the local bylaw.
  • Verify whether the charge is independent or administered through another municipal system.
  • Do not apply amounts published for Madrid, Málaga, Marbella or another locality to a property located in a different municipality.

Primary source: Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated land for a circular economy .

To calculate local costs

  1. Identify the property's exact municipality.
  2. Find the current tax bylaw.
  3. Check the property's most recent bill, where available.
  4. Confirm discounts, payment frequency and the liable party.
  5. Repeat the check if the tax year changes.

Tax residence and use

The same property can have different tax implications for four different owners

To assess annual taxation, it is not enough to ask how much the property is worth. First, the owner's tax residence must be determined, followed by whether the property is their main residence, a second home, vacant property, rented property or a property used for business purposes.

VH

Resident · main residence

The AEAT excludes a main residence from the IRPF imputed real estate income regime when the applicable requirements are met.

This does not eliminate IBI, community fees or other ownership costs.

2R

Resident · second home

Certain properties that do not generate income and remain available to their owner may give rise to imputed real estate income under IRPF.

A main residence should not be confused with a second home.

NR

Non-resident · personal use

A non-resident individual who owns certain urban properties for personal use or which are vacant may be subject to IRNR on imputed income.

The detailed calculation is covered in the specific IRNR guide.

ALQ

Rented property

Rental income is taxed separately and must be assessed according to the owner's tax residence and the applicable regime.

Do not confuse rental taxation with simple ownership.

IRNR for non-resident property owners Buying a second home

Non-resident property owners

Not renting out the property does not necessarily mean there is no tax obligation

The AEAT states that non-resident individuals who own urban properties located in España, used for their own use or left vacant and falling within the scope of the regulations, are subject to IRNR on the corresponding imputed income.

  • The income is determined using the tax rules applicable to the cadastral value.
  • Where there are several owners, each owner's share must be taken into account.
  • If the property is rented for part of the year, its use and the relevant periods must be assessed separately.
  • Rental income is subject to different rules from imputed income for personal use.
  • A company should not automatically be treated as a non-resident individual.
Form 210 · significant change from tax year 2026

For imputed income from urban properties relating to tax year 2026 and subsequent years, the AEAT currently sets a filing period from 1 April to 31 December of the calendar year following the accrual date.

Therefore, the imputed income relating to 2026 can first be filed on 1 April 2027.

The deadlines for Form 210 have changed

Do not automatically reuse calendars from previous tax years. This information was verified as of 8 August 2026 and should be reviewed again before future tax campaigns.

View the full IRNR guide

Wealth and high-net-worth individuals

Owning a property does not automatically mean paying wealth taxes

Wealth Tax and the Temporary Solidarity Tax on Large Fortunes require a separate assessment of the taxpayer's assets. They should not be included as a fixed amount in the annual cost of any property.

PAT

Wealth Tax

Tax residence is essential. The AEAT distinguishes between personal tax liability for residents and a real obligation for certain non-residents in respect of assets and rights located or exercisable in España.

Exemptions, debts, treaties and regional or provincial regulations may also be relevant.

Do not transfer tax benefits from one autonomous community to another.

ISGF

Solidarity Tax on Large Fortunes

It is a state tax separate from Wealth Tax and aimed at net wealth falling within the scope defined by its regulations.

The AEAT maintains Form 718 and its operational rules, which must be revalidated for each tax year.

It should not be presented as a general annual tax for every owner.

Wealth Tax Solidarity Tax

Owner's budget

The best estimate uses actual property documents

Before buying, try to turn recurring costs into a document-based checklist. Reviewing current bills and budgets is more reliable than applying a generic percentage to the sale price.

01

Municipal documents

Latest IBI bill, cadastral information, and bills or available information on applicable local charges or levies.

02

Community documentation

Current fee, budget, debt certificate, relevant meeting minutes, approved special assessments and included services.

03

Utilities and contracts

Electricity, water, gas, internet, alarms, maintenance, insurance and other contracted private services.

04

Property condition

Age of equipment, climate control systems, appliances, windows, waterproofing, installations and private elements.

05

Intended use

Main residence, second home, occasional use, rental use or a combination of uses may change both costs and taxation.

06

Tax profile

Residence status, ownership percentage, individual or company ownership, and overall wealth must be determined before estimating personal tax obligations.

Practical example

Apartment for the personal use of a non-resident owner

Imagine a property located in a Spanish residential complex, used for several months a year by its owner and not rented out. Without making up amounts, the annual budget should review at least the following categories.

LOC

Municipality

IBI and any applicable local charge or levy under the relevant local ordinance.

COM

Residential development

Regular fees, budget, potential special assessments and shared services.

IRNR

Non-resident taxation

Verification of imputed income and filing of Form 210 where applicable.

PRI

Private cost

Insurance, utilities, maintenance, repairs, furnishings and management during absences.

If the owner begins renting out the property, the calculation changes.

Rental periods and their taxation must be separated from periods of personal use, as well as checking the legal regulations applicable to the type of rental.

Calculate rental yield Tourist rental in España

Common mistakes

Seven mistakes that distort the true cost of owning a property

01

Using a percentage of the price

The purchase price does not directly determine IBI, community fees or maintenance costs.

02

Confusing purchase and ownership

ITP, IVA or AJD apply to the acquisition in the relevant cases; they are not automatically recurring annual costs.

03

Overlooking tax residency

A resident owner and a non-resident owner may have different tax obligations for the same property.

04

Looking only at the community fee

Special assessments, extraordinary works and the condition of the facilities may be more significant than a low monthly fee.

05

Assuming “vacant” means tax-free

Certain imputed income regimes may apply even if the property does not generate rental income.

06

Copying figures from another municipality

IBI and other local charges must be verified with the relevant municipal authority.

07

Treating Wealth Tax as a universal tax

Its application depends on the taxpayer and their asset situation; there are also regional interactions that require specific analysis.

Official sources

Regulations and authorities used to verify this guide

Municipal amounts and personal circumstances must be checked with the competent source for the specific case. These sources establish the national framework used on this page.

BOE Local Finance Act National legal framework for IBI, cadastral value as the tax base, taxpayer, tax accrual and municipal authority. AEAT Imputed income from real estate Official IRPF information for taxpayers on properties made available to their owners and applicable exclusions. AEAT IRNR on urban property for personal use Official rules on imputed income for non-resident individuals who own certain urban properties. AEAT Form 210 and deadlines Current calendar, including the new deadline applicable to imputed income for tax year 2026 and subsequent years. BOE Horizontal Property Act Obligations relating to general community expenses, ownership share and reserve fund. BOE Waste Act 7/2022 Legal framework for the local fee or public-law charge linked to the management of locally administered waste. AEAT Wealth Tax · non-residents Scope, exemptions, tax returns and specific provisions for non-resident taxpayers. AEAT Form 718 · Large Fortunes Current official procedure for the Temporary Solidarity Tax on Large Fortunes.

Resources from RealtorList

Continue with the guide that addresses your specific situation

This page serves as an overview of annual costs. Specific taxes retain their own URLs to explain tax bases, taxpayers, exceptions and procedures without duplicating the same search intent.

Non-resident tax on a property Explore IRNR for personal use, vacant properties and rental properties in more detail. Wealth Tax and property Review residency, real-estate assets and regional differences where applicable. Solidarity Tax and properties Explains the state tax on large fortunes and its relationship with other wealth taxes. Costs of buying a home Distinguishes acquisition costs from expenses that continue after becoming an owner. Buying a second home Assess use, maintenance, remote management, taxation and recurring costs. Calculate a property's return Include recurring expenses to move from gross returns to a more realistic net view. Real estate guide to España Return to the main hub for buying, selling, financing, property ownership and real-estate investment. Buying as a foreigner or non-resident Review the complete process from the international buyer’s perspective.

From the general calculation to the specific case

To determine the actual cost, you need to establish the location, property and owner.

A professional can help gather bills, community information and property documentation. Personal tax or legal matters should be confirmed with the relevant qualified adviser.

Frequently asked questions

Annual property taxes and costs in España

There is no universal percentage. The cost depends on IBI and other municipal obligations, homeowners’ association fees, utilities, insurance, maintenance, use of the property and the owner’s tax status. For a reliable estimate, it is advisable to use the property’s actual bills and quotes.

No. There is a national legal framework, but the tax is administered by municipalities and the specific amount depends on the cadastral value and the rules and ordinances applicable in the relevant municipality.

This may be the case. The AEAT applies imputed income under IRNR to certain non-resident individuals who own urban properties located in España for personal use or left vacant. The conditions, exemptions, ownership and relevant periods must be reviewed for each specific case.

Certain properties made available to resident taxpayers may give rise to imputed real estate income under IRPF. The AEAT excludes the main residence and provides for other conditions and exemptions that should be checked.

No. They are financial obligations arising from the community ownership regime and its common expenses, in accordance with the Horizontal Property Act, the title deed, the ownership share and applicable resolutions.

No. Law 7/2022 establishes the framework for local financing of waste management, but the specific application, amount, liable party and payment collection system should be checked in the ordinance of the competent local authority.

No. Its application depends on the taxpayer’s overall assets, tax residence, valuation rules, exemptions and the applicable regional legislation. It should not be assumed to be a fixed cost for every property.

As a starting point: the latest IBI bill, information on local charges, the community budget and fees, relevant meeting minutes and special assessments, utility bills, insurance policies or quotes and maintenance information. Personal taxation also requires knowing the buyer’s residence, ownership structure and intended use.

Notice: This guide provides general information on recurring costs and property taxation in España and was revisada on 8 August 2026. It does not replace personalised tax, legal, financial, technical, municipal or notarial advice. Obligations may vary depending on residence, ownership, use of the property, autonomous community, chartered territory, municipality, community of owners and subsequent changes in legislation. Before making a decision or filing a tax return, verify the information with the relevant authority and the appropriate qualified professional.

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