How long does buying property in Mallorca take?

In practice, up to 90 days is often agreed between the Arras contract and the notary appointment, but the period is freely set by contract. Only partial deadlines are fixed by law: ITP must be paid within one month, and the Registrador has 15 working days for registration. Searching, the NIE and financing lengthen the overall process.

How much transfer tax do you pay when buying property in Mallorca?

In the Balearic Islands, resale properties are subject to the ITP scale from 8% up to €400,000 to 13% above €2,000,000. On €750,000 that is €65,000 (8.67%), and on €1,500,000 it is €150,000 (10.00%). Reduced rates apply only under narrow conditions.

What does a notary cost when buying property in Mallorca?

The notary charges under a state Arancel that is the same for all notaries. The base amount is about €694 on a purchase price of €750,000 and about €953 on €1,500,000, in each case including 21% IVA. Folios, copies and ancillary items come on top, and the split of costs should be stated in the contract.

What is an Arras contract when buying property in Mallorca, and how high is the deposit?

The Arras contract is a private, legally binding purchase contract before the notary appointment. A deposit of around 10% of the purchase price is usual, but the amount is freely negotiable. Only with arras penitenciales can the buyer withdraw by forfeiting the deposit, and the seller by repaying double (Art. 1454 Código Civil).

What does buying a new build in Mallorca cost compared with a resale property?

On a new build, 10% IVA applies instead of ITP, plus AJD stamp duty. In the Balearic Islands this is generally 1.5%, or 2% from a value of €1,000,000. You should clarify the tax base in advance with your tax adviser.

Do I have to withhold tax when buying from a non-resident seller?

Yes, you must withhold 3% of the agreed purchase price and pay it to the Spanish tax authority using Modelo 211. The deadline is one month from the date of the transfer. The withholding is an advance payment on the seller's possible tax.

Buying property in Mallorca: 12 steps, timing, costs

Buying property in Mallorca takes twelve steps, from search profile to handover of the keys, and on a resale property at €750,000 transfer tax (ITP, 8.67%) alone is €65,000. On €1,500,000 it is €150,000 (10.00%). Notary and land registry together cost about €1,100 to €1,500 under the official Arancel for purchase prices of €750,000 to €1,500,000. In practice, up to 90 days is often agreed between the Arras contract and the notary appointment. As at October 2026.

How does buying property in Mallorca work step by step?

The table shows the twelve steps with the parties involved, timing and costs. The timing is a figure from experience unless a legal deadline is given. Costs are for a purchase price of €750,000 (resale property).

Step	Who	Timing	Costs
1. Search profile	Buyer, estate agent	a few days to 2 weeks	no official costs
2. Budget and NIE	Buyer, lawyer or gestor, bank	NIE: days to several weeks	NIE fee (Modelo 790, Código 012)
3. Pre-selection	Buyer, estate agent	1 to 4 weeks	no official costs
4. Viewing	Buyer, estate agent	days to months	Travel costs
5. Negotiation	Buyer, estate agent	1 to 4 weeks	none
6. Reservation	Buyer, seller, agency	a few days to weeks	Amount freely agreed
7. Due diligence	Lawyer, architect, tax adviser	1 to 3 weeks	Fee freely negotiable, Nota Simple €3.01 Arancel
8. Arras contract	Buyer, seller, lawyer	1 to 2 weeks	Deposit often about 10% (part of the price)
9. Preparing the notary appointment	Notary, lawyer, bank	1 to 2 weeks	with a mortgage: Tasación
10. Purchase at the notary	Notary, buyer, seller	one appointment	Notary about €694 incl. IVA (excluding folios, copies)
11. Taxes and land registry	Gestor, notary, Registrador	Tax 1 month, land registry 15 working days	ITP €65,000, land registry about €394 incl. IVA
12. Handover	Buyer, seller	on the notary day or as agreed	Utilities, insurance, community

What exactly happens in the twelve steps?

Define your search profile. Clarify whether the property is a holiday home, main residence, investment or retirement home. Location, financing, taxes and letting questions depend on this. The profile includes floor area, outdoor space, sea view, parking space, condition of the building, energy efficiency, community costs and handover date. For apartments, it matters whether the community is well maintained and whether major renovations are coming up. For fincas and houses, extensions, pool and access roads should be checked early for legal documentation. Timing: a few days to two weeks. Costs: no official ones.
Clarify budget and NIE. In addition to the purchase price, budget for ITP or IVA, notary, land registry, lawyer, translations, financing, renovation and reserves (budget, buying costs). You apply for the NIE with form EX-15 and the fee Modelo 790, Código 012; appointments are scarce, so allow several weeks. If you are financing, obtain approval in principle in advance. According to industry sources the Tasación takes one to three weeks.
Make a pre-selection. Examine listings critically: is the living area plausible, are there current photos, do location, year of construction, community costs and cadastral data match, and does the listing separate built area, usable area, plot and terraces? Look for the property that is most robust legally and economically, not just the prettiest. For rural properties and properties with letting potential, request a list of documents early. Timing: one to four weeks.
View properties. Look out for damp, roof, windows, building services, water, electricity, sewage, internet, access, neighbours and noise. For apartments, also check the lift, façade, reserves and house rules. According to the Consell de Mallorca, the Cédula de habitabilidad is relevant for sale and letting. Timing: days to months, depending on the search.
Negotiate the price with facts. Good arguments are comparable prices, renovation needs, missing certificates, charges, community debts and a clean timetable. Approval in principle for financing, an NIE and proof of equity strengthen your position, because sellers are more likely to accept a lower offer that can be completed reliably. Timing: one to four weeks.
Reserve. The reservation briefly takes the property off the market until your lawyer, tax adviser or gestor has completed the initial checks. Set out the price, amount, deadline, refund, identification of the property and the reservation of the legal review (reservation and Arras). Never pay in cash without a receipt. The amount is not set by law.
Carry out due diligence. Check the land registry (Nota Simple), cadastre (reference, location, area, valor de referencia), owners, mortgages, easements, rights of residence and usufruct, community debts, IBI, energy certificate, Cédula, tenancies and planning law (due diligence). The notary later checks identity, title, charges, cadastral reference and energy certificate, but does not replace your own review. Under the anti-money-laundering rules, the source of funds and the beneficial owners are checked. Timing: one to three weeks. Costs: lawyer's fee freely negotiable, Nota Simple €3.01 Arancel per property (RD 1427/1989).
Sign the Arras contract. The private contract is legally binding and sets out the price, payment schedule, deadlines, freedom from charges, allocation of costs, inventory and conditions up to the notary. The type of Arras must be stated in the contract: the notarial body names arras confirmatorias as the most common form. Only with arras penitenciales can the buyer withdraw by forfeiting the deposit, and the seller by repaying double (Art. 1454 Código Civil). A deposit of around 10% of the price is usual.
Prepare the notary appointment. Check the draft Escritura, the current Nota Simple, payment routes, NIE, powers of attorney (apostilled and translated where necessary), financing documents and inventory list. The public deed offers particular legal certainty. With a mortgage, you consult the notary before signing; the law provides a period of ten days for this (notary appointment).
Buy at the notary. You sign the Escritura de Compraventa, pay the balance of the price, and the seller hands over possession and keys. Charges are cancelled, paid off or expressly assumed. The deed should clearly document the method of payment, status of charges, cadastral reference, energy certificate, community costs, IBI and handover. The signing of the deed is not yet the last step. If the seller is not resident in Spain, you must withhold 3% of the price and pay it over by Modelo 211 within one month. Unless otherwise agreed, according to the notarial body the seller bears the notary fees for the deed and the buyer the cost of their copy; the split should be stated in the contract.
Pay taxes and register at the land registry. You pay ITP with Modelo 600 within one month of the deed (ATIB). Registration at the Registro de la Propiedad secures your ownership against third parties; the Registrador has 15 working days from receipt for this. Check the proof of tax payment, the cancellation of earlier charges and the registration.
Handover and follow-up. Record keys, meter readings, codes, warranties and inventory. Switch over electricity, water, internet, insurance, municipal charges and community costs. Review your tax position as a resident or non-resident. If you want to let to tourists, this must be checked separately: ownership alone does not give permission to let.

What costs arise when buying a resale property?

When buying a resale property in the Balearic Islands you pay ITP on a scale: 8% up to €400,000, 9% up to €600,000, 10% up to €1,000,000, 12% up to €2,000,000 and 13% above that (ATIB, as at October 2026). From this ATIB calculates an average rate on the entire value. A reduced rate of 4% applies only up to €270,151.20 and only for the future main residence under narrow conditions.

Item (resale property)	€750,000	€1,500,000
ITP	€65,000 (8.67%)	€150,000 (10.00%)
Notary under the Arancel, incl. 21% IVA	about €694	about €953
Land registry under the Arancel, incl. 21% IVA	about €394	about €566
Tax and official fees	about €66,090 (8.8%)	about €151,520 (10.1%)

The calculation for €750,000: 8% on €400,000 (€32,000) plus 9% on €200,000 (€18,000) plus 10% on €150,000 (€15,000). Notary and land registry are the base amount of the official scales (RD 1426/1989 and 1427/1989) after a 5% reduction; folios, copies and ancillary items come on top. Not included are lawyer, Gestoría, translations, financing and commission. Your lawyer and tax adviser provide advice on tax and legal questions in your individual case.

What does it cost to buy a new build?

On a new build from a developer, 10% IVA applies instead of ITP, so €75,000 on a price of €750,000 excluding IVA. AJD stamp duty comes on top: in the Balearic Islands generally 1.5% of the deed, or 2% from a value of €1,000,000 (ATIB). Clarify the tax base in advance with your tax adviser.

Which short checklist helps international buyers?

Clarify the search profile and use: holiday home, main residence, investment or letting.
Calculate the total budget with ITP or IVA, AJD, notary, land registry, advice and a reserve.
Prepare the NIE, bank, approval in principle for financing and proof of the source of funds.
Before reserving, check the property, seller, land registry and basic documents.
Sign the reservation only with a clear refund rule and a due diligence condition.
Before the Arras contract, have all legal, technical, tax and planning law points reviewed.
Arrange the notary appointment only once the draft deed, payment and cancellation of any charges are clarified.
After the notary, pay taxes on time and check the land registry entry.
Record the handover and switch over utilities, insurance, community and tax obligations.

Buying Property in Mallorca: The Process Step by Step