On the Costa Brava, most of what is for sale is resale property, but new developments are increasingly common, often with high-quality finishes. Both have their merits; they are simply not bought in the same way. Here are the differences that matter to you.
Purchase taxes
- For a resale property, you pay ITP, around 10% of the price in Catalonia for the vast majority of purchases, calculated on the price or on the reference value if that is higher. The details are in our article on ITP.
- For a new-build, you pay 10% VAT, plus stamp duty (AJD), around 1.5% in Catalonia.
So a new-build costs a little more in purchase costs, but usually avoids renovation work.
Guarantees
A new home benefits from the legal construction guarantees: ten years for structural defects, three years for defects affecting habitability, one year for finishes. If you buy off-plan, the law requires the developer to guarantee the money paid before completion, through a bank guarantee or insurance: check that one exists for every payment. Our detailed advice is in the article buying off-plan in Spain.
What resale offers, and what it requires
Resale property often gives you better locations, more space and real room to negotiate. In return, it needs more checks: planning compliance of extensions, condition of the roof and services, insulation, energy performance, community debts. You also need a realistic budget for work.
Timescales
A resale purchase can be signed within a few weeks. Off-plan, it often takes one to two years before you get the keys, with stage payments along the way.
New-build or resale, the right question is the same: does this property suit how you will use it, in the right area, at the right price? The rest can be checked.
