Property Transfer Tax (ITP) in Cádiz: What Foreign Buyers Pay
If you are buying a resale home in Cádiz from the United Kingdom, Property Transfer Tax (ITP) will be one of your largest costs after the price itself. The rate is set regionally and changes from one autonomous community to another, so it pays to confirm the current figure before you commit to a property. This guide explains how ITP works and what else to budget alongside it.
Who is behind this page. Sókerim is a Spanish real-estate agency (Lyrio Home Solutions, S.L.) with offices in the Madrid region and Alicante and a network of about 1,000 collaborating agencies across Spain. We help people who live abroad find, buy and manage property in Spain, in English, from the first search to the keys.
Understanding ITP before you make an offer
For buyers coming from the United Kingdom, one of the first numbers to pin down when budgeting a purchase in Cádiz is Property Transfer Tax, usually shortened to ITP. Unlike VAT on a new build, ITP is set by the regional government rather than the state, so the percentage you pay depends entirely on where the property sits, not on a single nationwide rule.
At Sókerim we coordinate with your lawyer, notary and bank throughout the purchase, and help confirm the NIE and bank account you need before completion, so that ITP and every other cost are accounted for well before you sign.
ITP is paid once, at completion, but it is calculated on the higher of the agreed price or the tax office's reference value, so a low purchase price does not automatically mean a low tax bill.
Buying in Cádiz: what changes here
Cádiz province stretches along the Atlantic Costa de la Luz, known for whitewashed towns, wide sandy beaches and a windier climate than the Mediterranean coast, with Tarifa a hub for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Buyers here often want an authentic Andalusian setting rather than a purely resort atmosphere.
Jerez airport serves the area, with Gibraltar and Seville also within driving distance. The coast is lively in summer but quieter otherwise, and property ranges from town houses in historic centres to villas near the beach or countryside fincas further inland.
Before deciding on a home in Cádiz (province), it helps to see the place in numbers: population, asking prices, transport links and climate, each dated and sourced. Together they offer a realistic grounding for anyone weighing up Cádiz (province) for a permanent home, a holiday base or a rental.
The people who live in Cádiz (province)
Cádiz province, taken as a whole rather than just its capital, counted 1,261,420 registered residents on 1 January 2025 in the INE census. The number reflects the full territory, large and small municipalities alike, that makes up the province. In the province of Cádiz, 68,798 residents hold a foreign nationality, only about 5 of every 100 people registered there. That is a low share for the province overall, though individual towns can sit well above it.
INE's register shows 7,150 British nationals living in the province of Cádiz as of 1 January 2025, making it one of the province's largest foreign communities. That points to a community that is firmly rooted across the province. Numbers have risen since 2021, when there were 6,587 registered. The upward trend points to continued interest in settling in the area. The following table shows the leading foreign nationalities registered in Cádiz (province) on 1 January 2025, according to the municipal-level data INE makes available.
| Nationality | 2025 | 2021 | Per 100 inhabitants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | 15,043 | 12,396 | 1.2 |
| United Kingdom | 7,150 | 6,587 | 0.6 |
| Colombia | 5,341 | 1,881 | 0.4 |
| Romania | 2,345 | 2,643 | 0.2 |
| China | 2,242 | 2,142 | 0.2 |
| Venezuela | 2,029 | 1,185 | 0.2 |
| Peru | 1,616 | 539 | 0.1 |
| Argentina | 1,586 | 1,006 | 0.1 |
A further table sets out nationalities not broken down above, among them Germans, Italians, Dutch, Belgians and Scandinavians, registered throughout Cádiz province. Unlike that earlier table, this one uses data from 1 January 2022, the latest edition with full nationality detail.
| Nationality | Registered residents |
|---|---|
| Italy | 2,459 |
| Germany | 1,977 |
| United States | 1,685 |
| Portugal | 925 |
| Netherlands | 573 |
| Russia | 511 |
| Poland | 492 |
| Belgium | 453 |
What homes are advertised for in Cádiz (province)
Across the province of Cádiz, 5,145 homes currently listed carry a median price of €2,220/m² and a median ticket of €220,000. These figures fall below the €3,135/m² median we see across the 130 towns we track nationwide, placing the province among the more affordable ones we follow. Prices vary considerably from one listing to the next, though the bulk of the market, its middle half, falls between €1,580 and €3,050 per square metre.
| Type of home | Median asking price per m² | Median asking price | Adverts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flats and apartments | €2,280/m² | €215,000 | 4,156 |
| Houses and villas | €1,950/m² | €260,000 | 989 |
| All homes | €2,220/m² | €220,000 | 5,145 |
Taking €220,000 as the median asking price in Cádiz (province), the resale transfer tax at 7 % amounts to about €15,400, and notary, land registry and gestoría costs add a further €2,600. The combined figure, close to €18,000, is what a buyer needs ready in savings, separate from any mortgage funds. The figures reflect asking prices in listings live on 2026-11-01, rather than prices actually paid. Final amounts are agreed through negotiation and vary with the state, location and orientation of each property.
The table below brings together the towns we track across Cádiz (province), listing inhabitants, foreign residents per 100 people and median asking price per square metre, to show how much these markets differ.
| Place | Inhabitants | Foreign residents per 100 | Median asking price per m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerez de la Frontera | 215,025 | 4.4 | €2,000/m² |
| Cádiz | 110,123 | 3.0 | €3,310/m² |
| Chiclana de la Frontera | 90,997 | 5.2 | €2,360/m² |
| El Puerto de Santa María | 90,242 | 4.6 | €2,670/m² |
| San Roque | 34,873 | 18.0 | €1,420/m² |
| Conil de la Frontera | 24,133 | 7.2 | €3,600/m² |
| Tarifa | 18,627 | 11.0 | €4,310/m² |
| Vejer de la Frontera | 13,117 | 5.7 | no data |
Tourist lets and the rental market in Cádiz (province)
In 05/2026, Cádiz (province) had an estimated 15,116 tourist homes according to INE's experimental platform-based statistic, equivalent to 73,667 bed places and roughly 12 per 1,000 residents. The level is moderate, though letting a home to tourists still needs a regional licence. Official data for Cádiz (province) show a median long-term rent of €530 a month for a flat in 2024, calculated by the Ministry of Housing from 27,587 tax-declared contracts. The figure looks backward at long-term lets only, not at holiday rentals, and should not be read as a prediction. According to the same official data, the middle half of long-term rental flats cost between €420 and €660 a month.
Access to Cádiz (province) and local climate
Cádiz has a single commercial airport, Aeropuerto de Jerez (XRY); depending on where exactly in the province your property is located, an airport in a neighbouring province may actually sit closer to your door. The figures that follow reflect conditions in or around Cádiz, the provincial capital; elsewhere in the province, particularly inland, at altitude or on other islands, the climate can vary considerably. The mean temperature in January is 12.7 °C (average daily minimum 9.4 °C) and in August 25.0 °C (average daily maximum 27.9 °C), marking a genuinely mild winter. Heating needs tend to be modest compared with much of Europe. Rainfall is moderate: about 523 mm a year, spread over roughly 51 days with measurable rain. These figures are the official climate normals (1981-2010) from AEMET, Spain's state weather agency, at its Cádiz station, about 5 km away; conditions at the exact property can differ slightly, especially inland or at altitude.
| Month | Mean °C | Avg. max °C | Avg. min °C | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.7 | 16.0 | 9.4 | 69 |
| February | 13.8 | 16.8 | 10.7 | 58 |
| March | 15.5 | 18.8 | 12.3 | 35 |
| April | 16.8 | 19.9 | 13.7 | 45 |
| May | 19.1 | 22.1 | 16.2 | 27 |
| June | 22.4 | 25.3 | 19.5 | 7 |
| July | 24.6 | 27.7 | 21.4 | 0 |
| August | 25.0 | 27.9 | 22.0 | 2 |
| September | 23.3 | 26.3 | 20.3 | 24 |
| October | 20.3 | 23.4 | 17.3 | 67 |
| November | 16.5 | 19.6 | 13.4 | 98 |
| December | 13.9 | 16.9 | 10.9 | 92 |
In the twelve months to 07/2026, 18,324 homes changed hands in the province of Cádiz, INE figures show. Such activity tends to bring more reference prices and a larger selection for anyone searching. The figures above cover the whole province of Cádiz, but they vary widely from town to town and from property to property. Share what you are searching for and we can review the details with you.
Sources and dates of the figures: INE, Censo anual de población (2025-01-01); INE, Estadística del Padrón continuo (1 de enero de 2022), provincias (2022-01-01); our group's own price bank, asking prices in active adverts (2026-11-01); Ministerio de Vivienda y Agenda Urbana, SERPAVI (2024); INE, Medición del número de viviendas turísticas (05/2026); INE, Estadística de Transmisiones de Derechos de la Propiedad (07/2026); OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); rutas OSRM (2026-10-05); AEMET, valores climatológicos normales (1981-2010).
Purchase costs in Cádiz
The transfer tax on a resale home is set by each Spanish region. In Cádiz the general rate is 7 %, and on top of it come notary, land registry and gestoría (roughly one more percent). On a new build you pay 10 % VAT plus stamp duty instead of the transfer tax. This money is not lent by the bank.
| Item | On a price of 250 000 € | Set by |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer tax (7 %) | 17 500 € | The region |
| Notary, registry, gestoría | 3 000 € | Official fees |
| Approximate total | 20 500 € | About 8,2 % of the price |
What ITP is and who pays it
When you buy a resale home in Cádiz, you do not pay VAT on the purchase price. Instead you pay Property Transfer Tax, known in Spain as ITP (Impuesto de Transmisiones Patrimoniales). This is a regional tax, set by the autonomous community where the property sits, and it is charged on the higher of the agreed price or the property's reference value used by the tax office. The buyer pays it, not the seller, and it falls due shortly after completion before the notary.
For British buyers used to Stamp Duty Land Tax in England or Land and Buildings Transaction Tax in Scotland, the mechanism will feel familiar: a single tax, paid once, calculated as a percentage of the transaction value, with no further transfer tax due afterwards. What differs is that Spain lets each region set its own rate and its own reductions, so the figure for Cádiz is not the same as the figure for a neighbouring province, and it can change from one tax year to the next.
Always ask your gestoría or lawyer for the current ITP rate published by the regional government before you sign anything, since rates are reviewed periodically and the one quoted online may already be out of date.
New build versus resale: a different tax altogether
ITP only applies to resale homes. If you buy a new build directly from a developer in Cádiz, the purchase is instead subject to VAT at 10 % plus a stamp duty (Actos Jurídicos Documentados), which is also set regionally and charged separately from VAT. Most of the properties British buyers consider through an agency, including flats being resold by a previous owner or homes bought for renovation, fall under ITP rather than VAT, so it is worth confirming which category your target property sits in before you calculate your budget.
Because the rate is regional and subject to change, we do not quote a fixed percentage here; your lawyer or gestoría in Cádiz will confirm the exact figure that applies on the date you sign, together with any reduction that might apply if you are buying a primary residence, if you are under a certain age, or if the home qualifies as officially protected housing.
NIE
Tax number first
You need a Spanish NIE before the notary can process the deed, and before the tax office will accept your ITP payment.
10 %
New builds only
New homes bought from a developer carry VAT at 10 % plus stamp duty instead of ITP.
3 %
On a future sale
If you are a non-resident when you eventually sell, the buyer withholds 3 % of the price on account of your Spanish tax.
Other costs that sit alongside ITP
ITP is usually the largest single cost on top of the price, but it is not the only one. Notary fees and Land Registry fees are set by official scale and depend on the property's value and the length of the deed. A gestoría typically handles the tax filing and registration paperwork for a fixed fee, and while a lawyer is optional under Spanish law, we consider one usual and sensible for buyers coming from the United Kingdom who are not familiar with Spanish conveyancing.
None of these costs are refundable if a purchase falls through after the deposit contract is signed, so it is worth having funds confirmed, and your NIE already in hand, before you commit to a specific property in Cádiz.
| Cost item | Who sets it | When it falls due |
|---|---|---|
| ITP (resale homes) | Regional government | Shortly after completion |
| VAT + stamp duty (new build) | State + region | At completion |
| Notary fees | Official scale | At signing |
| Land Registry | Official scale | After registration |
| Gestoría and lawyer | Agreed fee | Throughout the process |
What a UK buyer needs to have ready
Beyond the tax itself, lenders and the Spanish tax office will want to see that your funds are clearly accounted for. For buyers coming from the United Kingdom we typically see a recent P60 and payslips, the last filed Self Assessment tax return, bank statements from the last three to six months, evidence of any existing loans or mortgage commitments, and a valid passport. Having these ready before you make an offer in Cádiz avoids delays once the deposit contract is signed and the clock starts running towards completion.
Since the United Kingdom uses the pound rather than the euro, build in some margin for exchange-rate movement between the day you reserve a property and the day you transfer the balance; currency conversion costs are real money and should be part of your budget alongside ITP.
- Confirm whether the property is resale (ITP) or new build (VAT plus stamp duty) before you calculate costs.
- Request the current regional ITP rate in writing from your gestoría before signing the deposit contract.
- Apply for your NIE as early as possible, since the notary and the tax office both require it.
- Keep proof of funds ready: P60, payslips, Self Assessment, bank statements and passport.
- Budget for currency conversion between sterling and euros separately from the tax itself.
After completion: taxes that continue every year
ITP is a one-off cost paid once at purchase, but owning a home in Cádiz brings recurring obligations. Non-resident owners file an annual Modelo 210 return, municipal property tax (IBI) and community fees are due every year, and any rental income is taxed in Spain regardless of where you live. Spain and the United Kingdom have a double taxation agreement, so a local tax adviser should confirm exactly how rental income or any future gain must also be declared to HMRC.
If you later sell as a non-resident, remember the buyer withholds 3 % of the price on account of your Spanish tax, and a separate municipal capital-gains tax (plusvalía) applies on the increase in the land value. None of this replaces proper advice from a tax adviser familiar with both systems, but it gives you the full shape of what ITP is only the first step of.
If you live in the United Kingdom
Spain is a relatively short flight away from most UK airports, making regular visits to a Spanish property straightforward for owners based in Britain. Many British buyers are drawn to Spain for its climate, coastal lifestyle and established expatriate communities. One practical point to bear in mind is that Spanish inheritance law differs from UK rules, so it is worth taking specific advice on how it may affect the property and one's estate. Currency movements between sterling and the euro can also affect the overall cost of purchase and ongoing expenses.
What a Spanish bank will usually ask you for
- Proof of income: recent P60 and payslips
- Last filed UK tax return (Self Assessment)
- Bank statements from the last three to six months
- Evidence of existing loans or mortgage commitments
- Valid passport or UK national identity document
Tax at home and in Spain
Spain and the United Kingdom have a double taxation agreement in place, and a local tax adviser should confirm how rental income or gains from Spanish property must be declared and reported to HMRC.
Staying in Spain
As the United Kingdom is no longer an EU member state, British citizens may stay in Spain for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, and must apply for a visa or residence permit for longer stays.
Since the United Kingdom uses the pound sterling (GBP) rather than the euro, buyers should factor in exchange-rate movements and currency conversion costs when paying for a property or transferring funds to Spain.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Spanish NIE before I can pay ITP in Cádiz?
Yes. The tax office will not process your ITP payment, and the notary will not complete the deed, without a valid NIE. Most UK buyers apply for this in Spain or through the Spanish consulate before travelling, and it is worth starting the process as soon as you have a property in mind, since appointments and processing can take some time.
Is the ITP rate the same across Spain?
No. ITP is a regional tax, so Cádiz can apply a different percentage from a neighbouring region, and rates are reviewed periodically. Always ask your gestoría or lawyer for the rate in force on the date you plan to sign, rather than relying on a figure you saw online some months earlier.
Can I claim Spanish ITP against my UK tax bill?
ITP is a Spanish purchase cost, not an income or capital gains tax, so it is not something you declare to HMRC. Spain and the United Kingdom do have a double taxation agreement covering rental income and gains once you own the property, and a tax adviser familiar with both systems should confirm how those ongoing taxes interact with your Self Assessment.
Does buying a home in Cádiz let me stay in Spain longer than a holiday?
Owning property does not itself grant residency rights. As a British citizen you can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa; longer stays require a separate visa or residence permit application. The property-investment Golden Visa route ended on 3 April 2025 and is no longer available, so ownership alone will not extend your stay.
What happens to ITP if my purchase in Cádiz falls through?
ITP is only due once the deed is signed before the notary, so if a deal collapses before completion you should not owe the tax itself. However, deposits, survey costs and any legal or gestoría fees already incurred are generally not refundable, which is why checks on the property are best completed before you commit funds.