Important
Costs shown are estimates for a typical 2-3 bedroom property on the Costa Blanca / Costa Cálida. Actual costs vary by municipality, property size, and usage. All figures in EUR.
Annual Property Taxes
IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles)
The main annual property tax paid to your local town hall. Rate is based on the cadastral (rateable) value of your property.
0.4% - 1.1% of cadastral value
€200 - €800/year
Aug-Nov (varies by municipality)
5-20% surcharge + interest
Tip: Set up direct debit (domiciliación) to avoid missing payment deadlines.
Basura (Waste Collection Tax)
Municipal waste collection tax. Usually billed alongside IBI or separately by the local council.
€50 - €150/year
Annually with IBI or separately
IRNR (Non-Resident Income Tax)
Non-residents who own property in Spain must pay annual income tax, even if the property is not rented out.
19% on cadastral value × 1.1%
24% on cadastral value × 2%
December 31 of following year
Modelo 210
Tip: Get a digital certificate (certificado digital) to file online easily.
Monthly Utility Bills
Electricity
€10-20/month (varies by power capacity)
€0.15-0.25/kWh
€30-80/month
Monthly by direct debit
Water
€5-15/quarter (service charge)
€20-50/quarter
Quarterly
Water is managed by local providers. Prices use a tiered system – the more you use, the higher the rate per cubic meter.
Gas
€18-20 per bottle
€30-60/month
Many properties in Costa Blanca use bottled gas (butano) rather than piped gas. Electric alternatives are increasingly popular.
Community Fees
Most apartments and urbanizations charge monthly community fees (comunidad de propietarios) for shared maintenance.
€30-150/month
€50-200/month
€150-400/month
Monthly or quarterly
What community fees typically cover:
- Pool maintenance
- Garden & grounds upkeep
- Building insurance
- Lift/elevator maintenance
- Common area cleaning
- Security & surveillance
Home Insurance
€150-300/year
€300-600/year
Home insurance (seguro de hogar) is not legally required but strongly recommended, especially for mortgaged properties.
Annual Cost Summary
| Expense | Frequency | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| IBI (Property Tax) | Annual | €200 - €800 |
| Basura (Waste Tax) | Annual | €50 - €150 |
| IRNR (Non-Resident Tax) | Annual | €200 - €500 |
| Electricity | Monthly | €360 - €960/year |
| Water | Quarterly | €80 - €200/year |
| Community Fees | Monthly | €360 - €2,400/year |
| Home Insurance | Annual | €150 - €400 |
| TOTAL ESTIMATED | Annual | €1,400 - €5,400 |
* Estimates for a typical 2-3 bedroom property. Community fees vary significantly based on shared facilities.
Pro Tips for Managing Costs
Set Up Direct Debits
Automate payments for IBI, basura, electricity, and water to avoid late penalties.
Hire a Gestor
A gestor (administrative agent) can handle tax filings, utility contracts, and paperwork for €200-400/year.
Get a Digital Certificate
A certificado digital lets you file taxes, check cadastral data, and manage utilities online. Apply at FNMT.
Keep All Contracts & Receipts
Store utility contracts, tax receipts, and community fee records. You'll need them for tax filings and when selling.