Renting out property in Spain: landlord guide

Transfer tax and VAT on purchases, the end of the property golden visa, how non-residents are taxed on rent (19% or 24%) and on empty homes, claimable expenses, and Spain's tenancy and holiday letting rules.

Checked November 2026. Rules change with each budget; confirm with the official sources below or a tax adviser before acting.

Costs of buying

  • Resale homes carry transfer tax (ITP), set by each region, commonly 6–10% of the price. New homes carry 10% VAT plus stamp duty (AJD) of about 0.5–1.5%.
  • Notary, land registry and legal fees add roughly 1–2%.
  • IBI property tax is charged every year by the town hall.

Buying as a foreigner

  • There are no restrictions on foreigners buying property; you need a foreigner identity number (NIE).
  • The golden visa for buying property was abolished in April 2025.
  • Non-residents who sell pay tax on the gain, and the buyer withholds 3% of the price as a payment towards it.

Official guidance: Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs: NIE and visas

How rental income is taxed

  • Residents are taxed on net rental income with their other income. Rent from a tenant's main home can qualify for a reduction of 50–90% of the net profit, depending on the region's market and the contract.
  • Non-residents pay 19% on net rent if they live in the EU or EEA, and 24% on the gross rent (no expenses) if they live elsewhere. They declare it on Form 210; the filing calendar is changing for 2026, so check the AEAT calendar.
  • Non-residents also pay tax on a deemed income for homes that are not rented out, declared by 31 December of the following year.

Expenses claimable against rental income

  • For residents and EU/EEA non-residents: loan interest, IBI, community fees, insurance, repairs, agent fees and depreciation of the building (3% a year of its value, not the land).
  • Non-residents from outside the EU and EEA can't claim expenses: the 24% is on the gross rent.

Tenancy rules

  • For homes let as a main residence, the deposit (fianza) is one month's rent, usually lodged with the region, plus at most two months as an extra guarantee.
  • Tenants can stay up to five years (seven if the landlord is a company); yearly increases are limited to a reference index, and some regions cap rents in designated stressed areas.
  • Holiday and short-term lets need a regional licence and, since July 2025, registration in the national rental register.

Key dates

  • April to June: Annual income tax return for residents
  • By 31 December: Non-resident deemed-income return (Form 210) for homes not rented out the previous year
  • Set by the town hall: IBI property tax

Questions landlords ask

What is a good rental yield in Spain?

Gross yields of 4–6% are common for apartments in large cities and on the coasts. Check the net figure, including community fees and IBI, in the rental yield calculator for Spain.

How is rental income taxed for non-residents in Spain?

EU and EEA residents pay 19% on net rent after expenses; everyone else pays 24% on the gross rent. Non-residents also pay tax on a deemed income for homes they don't rent out.

Can I still get a golden visa by buying property in Spain?

No. The golden visa route through buying property ended in April 2025.

Do I need a licence for holiday rentals in Spain?

Yes. Holiday and short-term lets need the region's licence and, since July 2025, registration in the national rental register.

Rental yield calculator for Spain (EUR)

Official sources

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