Costa Blanca vs Costa del Sol (2026): where buying a home costs less
For a resale home the Costa del Sol is cheaper: Andalusia charges 7% transfer tax against 9% in the Valencian Community, so a €300,000 second home pays €21,000 in Málaga province and €27,000 in Alicante province. For a new build bought as a main home it turns round: the Costa Blanca charges 0.1% stamp duty on the deed, against 1% or 1.2% in Andalusia.
Key facts
- Resale ITP: 7% in Andalusia, 9% in the Valencian Community since 1 June 2026.
- On a €300,000 resale second home the tax is €21,000 on the Costa del Sol and €27,000 on the Costa Blanca.
- Above €1,000,000, Valencia charges 11% on the whole value; Andalusia stays at 7%.
- Andalusia charges 6% on any main home up to €150,000, and 3.5% if the buyer is under 35.
- On a new-build main home the AJD stamp duty is 0.1% in Valencia, against 1% up to €150,000 or 1.2% in Andalusia.
- Andalusia allows two months to pay the tax, Valencia one month.
What is the big picture?
The Costa Blanca is the coast of Alicante province, in the Valencian Community. The Costa del Sol is the coast of Málaga province, in Andalusia. Each region sets its own purchase taxes, and for a resale home Andalusia’s are lower: a flat 7% against 9% in Valencia since 1 June 2026. For a €300,000 resale home bought as a second home:
| Place | Buyer | Taxes | Fees, typical | Total on top | Share of price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain, Valencian Community | Resale, second home, price €300,000 | €27,000 | €4,148.54 | €31,148.54€29,348.54 to €33,248.54 | 10.38% |
| Spain, Andalusia | Resale, second home, price €300,000 | €21,000 | €4,148.54 | €25,148.54€23,348.54 to €27,248.54 | 8.38% |
The fees (notary, registry, lawyer) follow national scales and market rates, so they are much the same on both coasts.
How big is the gap at different prices?
The two rates are flat up to €1,000,000, so the gap is a steady share of the price. Above that, Valencia charges 11% on the whole value and the gap widens sharply:
| Price | Taxes | Fees, typical | Total on top | Estimate range | Share of price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| €150,000 | €13,500 | €2,596.68 | €16,096.68 | €15,096.68 to €17,446.68 | 10.73% |
| €300,000 | €27,000 | €4,148.54 | €31,148.54 | €29,348.54 to €33,248.54 | 10.38% |
| €500,000 | €45,000 | €6,217.51 | €51,217.51 | €48,417.51 to €54,317.51 | 10.24% |
| €1,000,000 | €90,000 | €11,344.07 | €101,344.07 | €96,044.07 to €106,944.07 | 10.13% |
| €1,500,000 | €165,000 | €16,459.02 | €181,459.02 | €173,659.02 to €189,559.02 | 12.10% |
| €3,000,000 | €330,000 | €31,803.87 | €361,803.87 | €346,503.87 to €377,403.87 | 12.06% |
| Price | Taxes | Fees, typical | Total on top | Estimate range | Share of price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| €150,000 | €10,500 | €2,596.68 | €13,096.68 | €12,096.68 to €14,446.68 | 8.73% |
| €300,000 | €21,000 | €4,148.54 | €25,148.54 | €23,348.54 to €27,248.54 | 8.38% |
| €500,000 | €35,000 | €6,217.51 | €41,217.51 | €38,417.51 to €44,317.51 | 8.24% |
| €1,000,000 | €70,000 | €11,344.07 | €81,344.07 | €76,044.07 to €86,944.07 | 8.13% |
| €1,500,000 | €105,000 | €16,459.02 | €121,459.02 | €113,659.02 to €129,559.02 | 8.10% |
| €3,000,000 | €210,000 | €31,803.87 | €241,803.87 | €226,503.87 to €257,403.87 | 8.06% |
Which is cheaper for a main home?
The Costa del Sol, especially for cheaper homes. Andalusia charges 6% on any buyer’s main home up to €150,000, and 3.5% if the buyer is under 35. Valencia has no main home rate for buyers in general. For a €140,000 resale flat:
| Place | Buyer | Taxes | Fees, typical | Total on top | Share of price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain, Valencian Community | Resale, main home, price €140,000 | €12,600 | €2,488.06 | €15,088.06€14,188.06 to €16,388.06 | 10.78% |
| Spain, Andalusia | Resale, main home, price €140,000 | €8,400 | €2,488.06 | €10,888.06€9,988.06 to €12,188.06 | 7.78% |
| Place | Buyer | Taxes | Fees, typical | Total on top | Share of price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain, Valencian Community | Resale, main home, price €140,000 | €12,600 | €2,488.06 | €15,088.06€14,188.06 to €16,388.06 | 10.78% |
| Spain, Andalusia | Resale, main home, aged 30, price €140,000 | €4,900 | €2,488.06 | €7,388.06€6,488.06 to €8,688.06 | 5.28% |
Valencia’s own young buyer rate, 6% up to €180,000 for a buyer under 35 on a first main home with an income tax base up to €30,000, is not applied by the calculator because of its income test. Even at that rate, Andalusia’s 3.5% is lower.
Which is cheaper for a new build?
Both charge VAT at 10%. The AJD stamp duty on the deed decides it:
- as a second home, Andalusia’s 1.2% is below Valencia’s 1.4%;
- as the buyer’s main home, Valencia’s 0.1% on any main home (Ley 13/1997, article 14.Uno.a) is below Andalusia’s 1% up to €150,000 and its general rate above.
| Place | Buyer | Taxes | Fees, typical | Total on top | Share of price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain, Valencian Community | New build, main home, price €300,000 | €30,300 | €4,148.54 | €34,448.54€32,648.54 to €36,548.54 | 11.48% |
| Spain, Andalusia | New build, main home, price €300,000 | €33,600 | €4,148.54 | €37,748.54€35,948.54 to €39,848.54 | 12.58% |
| Place | Buyer | Taxes | Fees, typical | Total on top | Share of price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain, Valencian Community | New build, second home, price €300,000 | €34,200 | €4,148.54 | €38,348.54€36,548.54 to €40,448.54 | 12.78% |
| Spain, Andalusia | New build, second home, price €300,000 | €33,600 | €4,148.54 | €37,748.54€35,948.54 to €39,848.54 | 12.58% |
Where is each one cheaper?
| Buyer | Cheaper | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Resale second home, any price | Costa del Sol | 7% against 9% |
| Resale above €1,000,000 | Costa del Sol | Valencia’s 11% on the whole value |
| Resale main home up to €150,000 | Costa del Sol | Andalusia’s 6%, or 3.5% under 35 |
| New build, second home | Costa del Sol | Lower AJD |
| New build, buyer’s main home | Costa Blanca | Valencia’s 0.1% AJD |
How do the deadlines compare?
Both use form 600, filed with the regional tax agency. Valencia allows one month from the deed (Ley 13/1997, article 14 ter.1); Andalusia allows two months from the day after the deed (Ley 5/2021, article 69.1). The guides to the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol give the details.
What this comparison does not cover
- Property prices, which this comparison leaves aside.
- Reduced rates for large families, disability and protected housing on either coast.
- Rate changes proposed for 2027 and later.
- The yearly IBI property tax and mortgage costs.
Questions people ask
Is it cheaper to buy on the Costa Blanca or the Costa del Sol?
For a resale home, the Costa del Sol: Andalusia's transfer tax is 7% against 9% in the Valencian Community. For a new build bought as the buyer's main home, the Costa Blanca: its stamp duty on the deed is 0.1% against 1% or 1.2% in Andalusia.
What are the purchase taxes in Málaga and Alicante?
Málaga is in Andalusia: 7% on a resale home, 10% VAT plus 1.2% AJD on a new build. Alicante is in the Valencian Community: 9% on a resale home, 10% VAT plus 1.4% AJD on a new build, or 0.1% AJD if it is the buyer's main home.
What about luxury villas above €1 million?
The gap widens. Valencia charges 11% on the whole value above €1,000,000, while Andalusia stays at 7%. Marbella villas therefore pay 4 points less tax than villas of the same value on the Costa Blanca.
Do young buyers pay less on either coast?
Yes on both. Andalusia charges 3.5% to buyers under 35 on a main home up to €150,000, with no income test. Valencia charges 6% up to €180,000 and 8% above to buyers under 35 on a first main home, with an income limit of €30,000.
Sources
- Ley 13/1997 de la Generalitat Valenciana (articles 4, 13, 14 and 14 ter)BOE (consolidated copy of the DOGV text)
- Ley 5/2021 de Tributos Cedidos de Andalucía (articles 41, 43, 49, 50 and 69)BOE (consolidated copy of the BOJA text)
Behind the figures
Every amount on this page is worked out by the engine from rule files that cite these pages.