How Much Deposit Do You Need to Buy Property in Spain?

Because non-resident mortgages max out at 60–70% loan-to-value, the deposit is the largest single planning number in your budget. As a rule of thumb, non-resident buyers should have 40% to 50% of the purchase price in available cash before they start house-hunting.

What that figure is made of

• The deposit itself: 30%–40% of the price, the portion the mortgage won’t cover.
• Transfer tax (ITP) on resale homes: 6%–10%, depending on the region.
• VAT and stamp duty on new builds: 10% VAT plus 0.5%–1.5% AJD (stamp duty).
• Notary, Land Registry, and gestoría fees: typically included within an overall 10%–12% for purchase costs. Therefore, the costs would be around 1%–2%.

Worked examples

Add the region’s transfer tax or VAT, plus notary and registration costs, and the true cash requirement lands closer to 40–50% of the price rather than the 30% deposit alone.

Proving where the money comes from

Spanish banks and notaries apply strict anti-money-laundering checks. Be ready to show the origin of your funds — savings statements, the sale of another property, or an inheritance — with paperwork that a Spanish institution can verify.