Buying property in Girona with a dedicated expert

Purchase prices in Girona vary significantly by property type, size, condition, and location within the city.

• Apartments (resale): The average asking price for residential properties for sale in Girona municipality was €2,675/m² in June 2025, up from €2,391/m² in June 2024 — an increase of approximately 11.88% (source: Indomio, June 2025). The median price for apartments listed on Properstar was approximately €244/sq ft (approximately €2,627/m²) as of November 2025.
• Houses (maisons individuelles, villas): The median asking price for houses listed on Properstar was approximately €257/sq ft (approximately €2,766/m²) as of November 2025, reflecting a premium over apartments for equivalent locations.
• Historic centre properties (Barri Vell): Properties in the historic core command a premium above the city average due to their heritage character and central location. Older buildings often require renovation investment on top of the purchase price.
• New-build properties: New developments are subject to VAT at 10% (rather than ITP) and typically carry higher per-square-metre prices than comparable resale stock, reflecting modern specifications and energy efficiency standards.
• Rural and countryside properties (Mas, farmhouses): The wider Girona province includes rural properties and masies (traditional Catalan farmhouses), which vary enormously in price depending on land area, condition, and proximity to the coast or the city.

All prices above are asking prices sourced from market data platforms and may differ from final transaction prices. Buyers should request recent comparable sales data from their agent or lawyer.

When purchasing a property in Girona (Catalonia), buyers should budget for the purchase price plus acquisition costs typically ranging from 12% to 15% of the purchase price, depending on the property type and value.

• Property Transfer Tax (ITP) — resale properties: Catalonia applies a progressive ITP system since Decree Law 5/2025 (in force from 27 June 2025). Rates are applied cumulatively: 10% on the first €600,000; 11% on the portion from €600,001 to €900,000; 12% on the portion from €900,001 to €1,500,000; 13% above €1,500,001. A special 20% rate applies to buyers classified as large property holders (owning more than 10 residential properties in Catalonia). Source: Decree Law 5/2025, Generalitat de Catalunya, published in the DOGC on 26 March 2025.
• VAT + Stamp Duty (AJD) — new-build properties: New builds are subject to VAT at 10% plus AJD (Stamp Duty) at 1.5%. ITP and AJD are never applied simultaneously.
• Notary fees: Regulated by the Spanish government; typically between €600 EUR and €2,000 EUR depending on the property value and complexity of the deed.
• Land Registry fees: Generally between €400 EUR and €1,000 EUR.
• Legal fees (independent lawyer): Typically 1% of the purchase price, often with a minimum fee.
• Mortgage arrangement costs (if applicable): Appraisal fee (€300 EUR–€600 EUR), plus bank arrangement fees.

Buyers should also account for the Plusvalía municipal (municipal capital gains tax on land value increase), which is legally the seller's responsibility but may be negotiated as part of the transaction terms.

Thorough legal and technical due diligence is essential before committing to a property purchase in Girona. The Spanish notary is a public official who verifies the legality of the transaction but does not represent either party — buyers must appoint their own independent lawyer.

• Nota Simple (Land Registry extract): Confirms the legal owner of the property, the exact description and surface area, and any charges, mortgages, easements, or encumbrances registered against it. This is the first document your lawyer should obtain.
• Cadastral records: Verify that the cadastral description (surface area, boundaries) matches the Land Registry entry and the physical reality of the property. Discrepancies must be resolved before purchase.
• Urban planning compliance: Confirm that the property and any extensions or modifications have the required building licences and comply with local urban planning regulations. Unauthorised constructions can create significant legal and financial liability for the buyer.
• Outstanding debts and community charges: Check for unpaid Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles (IBI — annual property tax), outstanding community of owners fees, and any utility debts attached to the property. These can transfer to the buyer if not cleared at completion.
• Energy Performance Certificate (Certificado de Eficiencia Energética): Legally required from the seller. Review the energy rating as it affects both the property's value and future running costs.
• Habitation Certificate (Cédula de Habitabilidad): Required in Catalonia to confirm the property meets minimum habitability standards. Essential for connecting utilities.
• Structural and technical survey: While not legally mandatory, an independent structural survey is strongly recommended, particularly for older properties in the historic centre (Barri Vell) or rural buildings. It identifies defects, damp, structural issues, and estimated renovation costs before you are contractually committed.
• Review of the Arras contract: Your lawyer must review the private purchase agreement before you sign and pay the deposit, ensuring adequate legal protections are in place.

Negotiating the purchase price of a property in Girona requires preparation, market knowledge, and a clear strategy.

• Research comparable sales: Before making an offer, analyse recent closed sale prices (not just asking prices) for comparable properties in the same neighbourhood. Listing prices on portals such as Idealista are often above final transaction prices. Your lawyer or agent can request the Nota Simple to identify how long the seller has owned the property and whether any debts are outstanding — both useful negotiation levers.
• Understand the market context: In a rising market such as Girona in 2024–2025, well-priced properties in prime areas (Barri Vell, Eixample, Devesa) attract strong demand and leave limited room for negotiation. In slower segments or for properties requiring renovation, discounts of 5% to 10% below asking price are more achievable. In prime areas of Spain, average discounts on asking prices typically hover between 3% and 7% (source: Spainora, 2026 Buyer's Guide).
• Make a written offer: Submit your offer in writing through the agent or directly to the seller, specifying the proposed price, conditions (subject to survey, mortgage, etc.), and a proposed timeline.
• Use objective arguments: Base your offer on price-per-square-metre comparisons, the property's condition, energy rating, and any works required. Avoid purely emotional arguments.
• Negotiate the full package: Price is not the only negotiable element. Consider included furnishings, completion date, and which party bears certain costs (e.g., Plusvalía municipal).
• Act decisively: In competitive segments, prolonged negotiation risks losing the property to another buyer. Once terms are agreed, move promptly to the Arras contract to secure the purchase.