Costa Blanca Property Without Agency Fees: How Much You Actually Save
A real breakdown of the commission you'd normally pay, and what buying direct saves on a typical Costa Blanca purchase.
On a typical Costa Blanca resale property, a foreign buyer using a traditional buyer's agent or "personal shopper" can pay a separate fee of up to 3% of the purchase price directly to that agent, on top of an asking price that may already carry a commission built in for the seller's agent. On a €300,000 home, avoiding that buyer-side fee alone is worth up to €9,000 before taxes are even calculated. Here is exactly where that money goes, and where it doesn't have to.
Who actually pays the estate agent's commission in Spain?
By law and by standard practice, the seller pays the estate agent's commission in Spain, not the buyer. That commission typically runs between 2% and 6% of the sale price, and it's already factored into the asking price before a buyer ever sees the listing.
So if the seller already pays it, where does the extra cost for a foreign buyer come from?
Where foreign buyers end up paying anyway
Two things commonly add cost on top of the seller's commission:
- A buyer's agent or "personal shopper" fee. Many British and Polish buyers, unfamiliar with the local market, hire a separate search agent. This is charged directly to the buyer, commonly up to 3% of the purchase price.
- Multi-agency chains. Costa Blanca listings are frequently shared across several collaborating agencies. When a buyer hasn't approached the listing agency directly, more than one party can be splitting a commission that was priced into the asking figure from the start, leaving less room for the buyer to negotiate the price down.
What "commission-free" means on DirecSpain
DirecSpain lists Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida properties directly, connecting buyers with the listing agency or owner without adding a separate buyer-side fee. There's no personal-shopper markup and no additional intermediary in the chain. Some listings are managed in partnership with Aureum Real Estate, a Polish-Spanish agency working the same coastal areas, so Polish-speaking buyers can go through the entire process, from first enquiry to notary, in their own language.
| Route to buying | Typical extra cost to the buyer | On a €300,000 property |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional buyer's agent / personal shopper | Up to 3% of purchase price | Up to €9,000 |
| Multi-agency chain (opaque, priced into asking figure) | Variable, hard to quantify, real nonetheless | Reduces room to negotiate price down |
| DirecSpain (direct, commission-free) | €0 buyer-side fee | €0 |
What you'll still pay regardless of how you buy
Commission-free doesn't mean cost-free. These charges apply no matter which route you take, and they're worth budgeting for upfront:
- ITP (Property Transfer Tax) on resale homes in the Comunidad Valenciana, which covers the whole Costa Blanca. As of 1 June 2026, the general rate dropped from 10% to 9% for properties up to €1 million (11% above that threshold).
- AJD (Stamp Duty) on new-build purchases, also reduced slightly, from 1.5% to 1.4%, alongside the ITP reform.
- Notary, land registry, and independent legal fees, which together typically run around 1–2% of the purchase price.
Worked example: a €300,000 resale apartment in Torrevieja
| Cost item | Amount |
|---|---|
| ITP at 9% (resale, post-June 2026 rate) | €27,000 |
| Notary, registry, and legal fees (approx. 1.5%) | €4,500 |
| Buyer's agent fee (traditional route, up to 3%) | Up to €9,000 — €0 buying direct |
| Total unavoidable costs | ~€31,500 |
Buying direct doesn't reduce the ITP or the legal fees, since those are set by law regardless of who you buy through. What it removes is the buyer-side agent fee, which on this example property is the difference between roughly €31,500 and roughly €40,500 in total costs on top of the purchase price.
How the buying process works, step by step
- Apply for your NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) — required for any property purchase, tax filing, or utility contract in Spain.
- View properties and make an offer directly through the listing agency.
- Pay a reservation deposit (typically €3,000–€6,000) to take the property off the market.
- Instruct an independent Spanish lawyer to carry out due diligence: checking the title, debts, and planning status.
- Arrange financing if needed — non-resident mortgages in Spain typically cover 60–70% of the valuation.
- Sign the private purchase contract and pay the balance of the deposit (commonly 10%).
- Complete at the notary, pay the remaining balance, ITP, and fees, and receive the keys.
- Register the property at the Land Registry (your lawyer typically handles this).
Frequently asked questions
Does the buyer ever pay the estate agent's commission directly in Spain?
Not usually. The seller pays the listing agent's commission by default. A buyer only pays directly when they hire their own separate buyer's agent or personal shopper.
Is DirecSpain really free for buyers?
Yes — DirecSpain doesn't charge buyers a commission or search fee. You deal directly with the listing agency, including partner agency Aureum Real Estate for Polish-speaking buyers.
What is the property transfer tax on the Costa Blanca in 2026?
For resale properties in the Comunidad Valenciana, the general ITP rate is 9% as of 1 June 2026, for properties up to €1 million (11% above that).
Do foreigners need a NIE number to buy property in Spain?
Yes — a NIE is required for any property purchase, tax filing, or utility contract in Spain, and it's one of the first things a buyer should apply for.
Are there extra costs for new-build properties instead of resale?
New-build purchases are subject to VAT (10% on residential property) and AJD stamp duty (1.4% as of June 2026) instead of ITP.
Last updated: 19 July 2026.
Browse current Costa Blanca listings or read our full step-by-step buying guide for foreigners.
