Luxury Property For Sale in Catalonia​ & the Costa Brava

Yes, foreigners can buy property in this part of Spain without any special restrictions. You don’t need to live in the country or hold Spanish citizenship. The rules are the same whether you’re from inside the EU or not. Plenty of people from France, Germany, the UK, the US, and elsewhere already own homes here.

You’ll need to apply for something called an NIE, which is basically a tax ID number. It’s required for the legal documents, setting up utilities, and registering the property in your name. Most buyers get their lawyer or estate agent to help sort that out early on.

There are some environmental regulations if the property is very close to the coast, but they don’t stop you from buying. They mostly affect what you can build or renovate, not ownership itself. Otherwise, the process is straightforward and well established for international buyers. The legal system doesn’t block foreigners from owning real estate in Catalonia or along the Costa Brava.

Begur is one of the better-known locations for high-end property in the Costa Brava. It sits on a hill with views over the sea, and there are several beaches nearby, like Sa Riera and Sa Tuna, that feel more private than many other parts of the coast. Some of the villas around Begur have a lot of privacy, and a few are tucked into the pine-covered hills with wide views and no neighbours in sight.

Further down the coast, Platja d’Aro is another area worth looking at. It’s a livelier town with a long beach and a busy main street. You’ll find luxury apartments close to the sea and modern villas just above the town with terraces and pools. There’s also a marina, a golf course nearby, and year-round activity, which some buyers prefer over quieter resort towns.

S’Agaró is close by and much quieter. The gated part, known as S’Agaró Vell or La Gavina, has wide streets, landscaped gardens, and a very calm atmosphere. It’s also close to the coastal path, which runs along the cliffs with views of the sea.

Palafrugell, especially on the outskirts, offers more space and larger plots. It’s not directly on the beach but gives easy access to several smaller coves and quieter stretches of coastline.

The luxury property market here covers a lot of different styles, depending on location. Near the coast, you’ll see modern villas built with glass and concrete that include open-plan layouts, big terraces, pools, and often panoramic views of the sea. These are usually newer builds, sometimes on the edge of town or up in the hills just a few minutes from the beach.

There are also more traditional homes, especially in older towns. These tend to have tiled roofs, thick stone or whitewashed walls, and shaded courtyards. Some have been renovated with modern interiors, but still keep the original structure and charm.

Inland areas, though still close to the coast, often have larger plots and detached houses with gardens and swimming pools. These are good for buyers who want more space and privacy. You’ll also find apartments, especially in beach towns or cities like Girona or Barcelona, with top-floor penthouses and large terraces.

Each type suits a different kind of buyer, but the one thing they usually have in common is location and a level of finish that puts them well above standard housing.

Buying a property in Catalonia comes with extra costs on top of the sale price. Most buyers pay around 10% to 13% more, once you include taxes and fees. The biggest part of this is the property transfer tax, which is 10% for resale homes. If it’s a new build, instead of that, you pay 10% VAT plus 1.5% stamp duty.

Then there are smaller costs such as legal fees, the notary, and the land registry. These usually add another 1% or so, depending on the value of the property and the lawyer you use. If you’re using a mortgage, the bank may charge extra fees too.

There’s also an annual property tax called IBI. It’s based on the assessed value of the home and paid to the local council. Some properties also have community fees, especially if they’re in a shared development or building with services like pools or lifts.

None of these charges are hidden, but they do add up, so it’s worth getting a breakdown before you go too far into the buying process.

The process is fairly well structured, and most overseas buyers get help from a lawyer to make sure everything runs smoothly. The first thing you’ll need is an NIE number. This is your tax ID in Spain and it’s required for pretty much everything related to the purchase.

Once you’ve agreed on a property and price, there’s usually a small deposit to reserve it while your lawyer checks the legal side. If that all looks good, you’ll sign a private contract and pay around 10% of the price. This step locks in the sale for both sides.

Completion usually happens at a notary’s office. That’s where the buyer and seller (or their representatives) meet, sign the final deed, and transfer the rest of the funds. Once it’s signed, the sale is official. After that, the property needs to be registered in your name, and taxes paid.

Most of the steps are handled by your lawyer or agent, so you don’t have to be in Spain for the whole process, though many buyers do come over for the signing.

You can find out more about the buying process in our guide to buying property in Spain.