What it is
Spain's annual property ownership tax, charged by the local municipality and calculated as a percentage of the valor catastral. For the Costa del Sol, IBI typically ranges from 0.4% to 1.1% of cadastral value. The seller must be current on IBI at completion; buyers should request the last IBI receipts. This is a core term in the Costa del Sol property purchase process and one buyers frequently encounter during due diligence.
Why it matters for international buyers
Understanding IBI — Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles is part of the standard due diligence framework for any foreign buyer purchasing on the Costa del Sol. A Spanish property lawyer (abogado) will handle the mechanics, but buyers who understand the term can ask better questions and interpret advice more accurately.
This entry is reviewed by the Listyco editorial team. It is not legal advice; instruct a Spanish lawyer for your specific position. Last reviewed April 2026.