Property Buying Cost Calculator — Málaga

For a €400,000 resale property as a non-EU buyer with 30% down, you should plan for roughly €120,000 down payment plus another €40,000–45,000 in buying costs. In practical terms, that means about €160,000–165,000 in available cash before completion.

Resale properties pay 7% transfer tax (ITP). New builds pay 10% VAT plus 1.2% AJD, so the tax load is roughly 4.2 percentage points higher. That difference alone adds around €16,800 on a €400,000 purchase.

Yes. Several Spanish banks lend to US citizens, typically around 60–70% loan-to-value with slightly higher pricing than EU borrowers. The process usually takes four to eight weeks and requires income documents, tax returns, and a Spanish bank account.

Community fees cover shared building maintenance such as elevators, pools, gardens, concierge, lighting, and common-area cleaning. In Málaga they can range from €50 to €400 per month depending on amenities and the building profile.

IBI is an annual municipal tax based on cadastral value rather than the full market value. For a typical mid-market apartment, buyers often end up somewhere around €800–1,500 per year depending on the municipality and property record.

Both exist, but most international buyers choose fixed rates because they make monthly costs more predictable. Variable loans can start cheaper, but they are tied to Euribor and carry more payment volatility over time.

The bank lends against the lower figure. If you agree to buy at €400,000 but the valuation comes back at €370,000, the lender calculates the loan-to-value on €370,000, which means you need to cover the gap with additional cash.

Yes. Denise works with brokers who specialize in international buyers and can compare multiple bank offers, helping you understand what is realistic before you commit to a property or a viewing trip.