Buying a home on the Costa Blanca from the UK, Ireland or further afield is very different from buying at home. The paperwork is in Spanish, the notary plays a central role, purchase taxes depend on the region the property is in, and since Brexit UK buyers are treated as non-EU buyers for several Spanish taxes. Many international buyers therefore look for a “buying agent” or “property finder” to help them through the process.
This guide explains what a buying agent actually does, how they are paid, where their role stops, how to check that an agent is properly set up, and what Maison Costa Blanca can and cannot do for you on the southern Costa Blanca and in the Region of Murcia.
Buying agent, property finder, estate agent: what is the difference?
A buying agent works under a mandate from the buyer. They search, shortlist and negotiate on your behalf, and in principle you pay them. A traditional estate agency (an “inmobiliaria” in Spain) is usually instructed by the seller or the developer, who pays its commission.
Both models can work well. What matters is knowing who your contact works for and who pays them. Someone who calls themselves a buying agent but also takes a commission from the seller has a conflict of interest, so always ask for this in writing.
In Spain, property intermediation is a liberalised activity. There is no legal scale of fees, and membership of the API (Agente de la Propiedad Inmobiliaria) professional body is voluntary, not a legal requirement. In the Valencian Community (Alicante province), however, property intermediaries must be listed in the public RAICV register created by Decree 98/2022.
What a buying agent does in practice
A good buying agent’s work starts long before the first viewing and carries on after completion. In practice they:
- help you set a realistic brief: total budget (price plus taxes and costs), area, type of property, new build or resale;
- shortlist properties that match, including some that are not heavily promoted on the big portals;
- organise viewings, often starting with video tours to save you trips;
- compare asking prices with the local market and prepare the negotiation;
- put you in touch with an independent lawyer, the notary and, if needed, a gestoría;
- guide you through the practical steps: NIE, power of attorney, Spanish bank account;
- follow the file through to the signing of the deed (escritura) and the handover of keys.
One important point: a buying agent is not a lawyer. The legal checks on a property (title, charges recorded at the Land Registry, outstanding debts, planning compliance) should be carried out by an independent lawyer you instruct yourself. Be wary of anyone who promises “complete legal certainty”: nobody can guarantee that.
Why support is useful on the Costa Blanca
Two regions, two tax regimes
The southern Costa Blanca straddles two regions. Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar del Segura and Pilar de la Horadada are in Alicante province (Valencian Community). Los Alcázares, San Pedro del Pinatar and San Javier are in the Region of Murcia. Purchase taxes follow the region where the property is located:
| Type of purchase | Alicante province | Region of Murcia |
|---|---|---|
| Resale (ITP transfer tax) | 9% for deeds signed from 1 June 2026 | 7.75% since 25 July 2025 |
| New build (VAT + AJD stamp duty) | 10% + 1.4% = 11.4% | 10% + 1.5% = 11.5% |
In Alicante province the rate rises to 11% for properties worth over €1,000,000, so ask the notary to confirm the calculation on any purchase above that level. Reduced rates exist, but only for a main home under strict conditions; a non-resident buying a holiday home does not qualify.
Prices vary a lot between areas
Asking prices differ widely from one town to the next. A few reference points (indicative, idealista asking prices, month shown):
| Area | Average asking price per m² | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Torrevieja | about €2,548 | May 2026 |
| Guardamar del Segura | €2,791 | April 2026 |
| Orihuela Costa | about €2,990 | January 2026 |
| Region of Murcia (resale, regional average) | €1,747 | April 2026 |
These are asking prices, not sale prices, and they vary between portals. Local knowledge helps you read a listing in context: the development, orientation, condition and distance to the sea.
Buying from a distance
Most international buyers cannot make a dozen trips. The deed can be signed through a notarised power of attorney, and the NIE can also be applied for by a representative with a power of attorney. Our article on buying through a power of attorney explains how it works.
Points UK buyers often miss
- Buying property no longer gives you residency: Spain’s real-estate golden visa route was abolished with effect from 3 April 2025.
- As a non-EU owner, you pay Spanish non-resident tax every year at 24% on a deemed income (1.1% or 2% of the cadastral value), even if you never rent the property out.
- Non-resident mortgages are usually limited to around 60–70% of the lower of price and bank valuation, and some lenders offer only 50–60% to non-EU buyers.
These are points to discuss with a tax adviser and your bank before you commit, not reasons to give up.
What does a buying agent cost?
There is no legal fee scale. A buying agent may charge a percentage of the price, a fixed fee or a mix of both; it all depends on the contract. Insist on a written agreement setting out the amount, what is included and when the fee becomes payable.
It also helps to know how the Spanish market normally works. On a resale, the seller usually pays the agency commission (often 3–5% plus 21% VAT, by market practice). On a new build, the developer pays. If you also pay a buying agent, check that you are not paying twice for the same service.
On top of any fee come the buying costs themselves. As a rough guide (indicative, calculated from the current tax rates and typical fee ranges, October 2026):
- resale in Alicante province: about 10.5–11.5% of the price;
- new build in Alicante province: about 12.5–13.5%;
- resale in the Region of Murcia: about 9.5–10.5%;
- new build in the Region of Murcia: about 12.5–13.5%.
Notary fees follow an official sliding scale; they are not a percentage of the price. For a line-by-line breakdown, see how much buying property in Spain really costs.
How to choose a buying agent: the right questions
Before signing anything, ask these questions and get the answers in writing:
- Who do you work for on this transaction, and who pays you?
- What is your RAICV registration number? You can check it in the official Generalitat Valenciana register.
- If you present yourself as an API, what is your membership number?
- Do you work with a lawyer who is independent of the agency and the seller?
- In which languages will you handle the file, including written documents?
- What happens after completion: keys, utility connections, snagging on a new build?
A serious professional answers these questions without difficulty. Promises of “guaranteed” rental returns or pressure to sign quickly are warning signs.
Where does Maison Costa Blanca fit in?
To be clear: Maison Costa Blanca is not a buyer-paid buying agent. We are a Belgian company based in La Louvière, working with Costa Blanca Sales, which has been active since 2000 and has an office in Villamartin. We sell new builds (key-ready or off-plan) and resale properties on the southern Costa Blanca and in the Region of Murcia.
In practice, this is what we do for buyers:
- search and shortlist properties in our area and arrange viewings;
- explain the costs and the steps, in English, French, Dutch or Spanish;
- guide you through the NIE and power-of-attorney paperwork;
- recommend an independent law firm for the legal checks;
- provide after-sales support on new builds, for example with the choice of materials.
And what we do not do: we do not manage rentals, we do not arrange mortgages (speak to Spanish banks or a mortgage broker) and we do not give tax advice (consult a tax adviser).
Frequently asked questions
Is a buying agent compulsory in Spain?
No. No law requires you to use an agent, whether they work for the buyer or the seller. Support is most useful when you are buying from abroad, do not speak Spanish or are still choosing between areas.
Who pays the agency commission on the Costa Blanca?
On a resale, the seller usually pays the commission of the agency they instructed. On a new build, the developer pays. A buying agent you instruct yourself is paid by you, under the contract you sign.
Does a buying agent replace a lawyer?
No. The agent shortlists, negotiates and coordinates. The legal checks (title, charges, debts, planning) are a matter for an independent lawyer you instruct. The notary authenticates the deed.
How much does an NIE cost and how long does it take?
In 2026 the fee for a foreigner’s identity number assigned at the applicant’s request is €9.84 (form 790, code 012). There is no official processing time: depending on appointment availability at the police or the consulate, it can take anything from the same day to several weeks.
Can I buy without travelling to Spain?
Yes. The deed can be signed by a representative holding a notarised power of attorney, and the NIE can be applied for in the same way. Most buyers still come out at least once to view before committing.
Let’s talk about your plans
Looking for a new build or resale property between Guardamar, Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and the Region of Murcia? Tell us your budget and what you are looking for: we will give you an honest view of what is realistic and how the purchase would work. Contact our team in English, French, Dutch or Spanish.
