Murcia and the Costa Cálida have become one of southern Europe's most attractive places to buy a home. There are more than 300 days of sunshine a year, 250 km of coastline, the calm waters of the Mar Menor, and prices well below the Costa del Sol or the northern Costa Blanca. Whether you want a holiday apartment, a permanent home for retirement or an investment, this guide explains every step: paperwork, real costs, legal checks and the mistakes to avoid.

 

Why Buy Property in Murcia?

• Climate: an average annual temperature of around 19 °C, with mild winters.
• Value for money: you get more space for your budget than on most other Spanish coasts.
• Lifestyle: beaches, golf resorts, great food and a low cost of living.
• Connections: Región de Murcia International Airport (RMU), Alicante airport within about an hour, and a high-speed train to Madrid.
• Services: modern hospitals, international schools and established expat communities.

 

Best Areas to Buy in Murcia

Each area has its own character. Here is a quick overview of the most popular options:

The southern Costa Blanca (Orihuela Costa and Torrevieja) is also only 20–30 minutes away.

 

Before You Start: Preparation

1. Set a realistic budget. Add 10–14% on top of the purchase price for taxes and fees.
2. Get your NIE. The foreigner identification number is required for any purchase. You can apply at a Spanish consulate or at the Policía Nacional in Spain (form EX-15 plus the 790-012 fee). Your lawyer can also apply for you with a power of attorney.
3. Open a Spanish bank account. You will need it for the payment, taxes, utilities and community fees.
4. Arrange your finance. Non-residents can usually borrow 60–70% of the value, and residents up to 80%. Since the 2019 mortgage law, the bank pays most set-up costs. You only pay the valuation (around €300–600).
5. Hire an independent lawyer. They must not work for the seller or the developer. Fees are usually around 1% + VAT.
6. Consider a power of attorney if you want to complete the purchase without travelling.

 

The Buying Process, Step by Step

1. Search and viewings, in person or by video call.
2. Offer and negotiation.
3. Reservation agreement. You pay a reservation deposit (typically €3,000–6,000) that takes the property off the market while your lawyer carries out the checks.
4. Legal checks (due diligence) by your lawyer (see the checklist below).
5. Private purchase contract (contrato de arras). You pay around 10% of the price. Under arras penitenciales, if you withdraw you lose the deposit, and if the seller withdraws they must pay you double.
6. Funds and mortgage. You transfer the money and document where it came from, as anti-money-laundering rules require.
7. Completion at the notary. You sign the public title deed (escritura), pay the balance and receive the keys. If the seller is non-resident, the buyer withholds 3% of the price and pays it to the Tax Agency (form 211).
8. After completion. Pay the transfer tax within 30 working days, register the deed at the Land Registry, and put the utilities, the IBI council tax and the community fees in your name.

Typical timeline: 6–10 weeks for a cash resale purchase, plus 2–4 weeks if you need a mortgage.

 

Buying Costs in Murcia (Example: €200,000 Property)

Here is an approximate breakdown of the buying costs for a €200,000 property, resale and new build:

Rates in force in the Región de Murcia since July 2025 (Law 3/2025). Reduced ITP rates exist for certain resident groups, such as young buyers, large families and people with disabilities, and usually apply only to a main residence. The municipal capital gains tax (plusvalía) is normally paid by the seller.

 

Legal Checklist Before You Sign

• Nota simple from the Land Registry: owner, mortgages, charges and embargoes.
• The Catastro description matches the actual property.
• Planning status: the building, any extensions and the pool are legal. This is especially important on rural land.
• First occupation licence or certificate of habitability.
• Energy performance certificate (mandatory).
• IBI council tax and community fees are paid up to date (ask the administrator for a certificate).
• Utility bills have no outstanding debts.
• The seller's tax residence, which determines whether the 3% withholding applies.
• A tourist licence, if you are buying a property that is already rented out.

 

Buying a New Build or Off-Plan

• By law, stage payments must be protected by a bank guarantee or insurance policy. Never pay without one.
• Check the building licence, the delivery date, the late-delivery penalties and the building specifications.
• New homes come with a 10-year structural guarantee, 3 years for habitability defects and 1 year for finishes.
• Carry out a snagging inspection before accepting the keys.

 

Annual Running Costs

• IBI (council tax): usually €200–800 a year.
• Community fees: €40–150 a month for apartments, and more in resorts with extensive facilities.
• Rubbish collection, home insurance and utilities.
• Non-resident income tax (IRNR, form 210): if you do not rent the property out, you are taxed on an imputed income of 1.1–2% of the cadastral value, at 19% for EU/EEA residents and 24% for everyone else. If you rent it out, you pay tax on the rental income. EU/EEA residents can deduct expenses, but residents of other countries, including the UK, generally cannot.
• Wealth tax: only applies if your net assets in Spain exceed €700,000.

 

EU Citizens vs UK and Non-EU Buyers

• EU/EEA and Swiss citizens can buy and live in Spain freely. If you stay for more than 3 months, register at the Central Register of Foreigners.
• UK and other non-EU citizens can buy with no restrictions, but the 90/180-day rule applies. Longer stays require a visa, such as the non-lucrative visa or the digital nomad visa.
• Important: Spain abolished the Golden Visa for property investment on 3 April 2025. Buying a property no longer gives you residency.

 

Buying to Rent Out as a Holiday Let

• You must register the property with the Región de Murcia Tourism Register and the National Single Rental Register, which has been mandatory since 1 July 2025 for advertising on platforms such as Airbnb or Booking.
• Since April 2025, new holiday lets in an apartment building need the approval of 3/5 of the community of owners. Check the community statutes before you buy.
• Guests must be reported to the authorities, and the rental income must be declared.

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not budgeting for the 10–14% of extra costs.
• Paying a deposit before a lawyer has reviewed the documents.
• Using the seller's or the developer's lawyer.
• Buying rural property without checking its planning status.
• Ignoring community rules on rentals.
• Losing money on currency exchange. Use a currency specialist for GBP transfers.
• Not making a Spanish will.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners buy property in Murcia?
Yes. There are no restrictions on foreign buyers.

How much are the total buying costs?
Around 10% for a resale property and 13–14% for a new build.

How long does it take?
Usually 6–10 weeks for a cash purchase, and a few weeks more if you need a mortgage.

Do I need to be in Spain to buy?
No. You can complete the purchase through a power of attorney.

Can I get a mortgage as a non-resident?
Yes, usually for 60–70% of the property's value.

Does buying a property give me residency?
No. The Golden Visa was abolished in April 2025.

 

Buy with Just Murcia Property

Since 2006, Just Murcia Property has helped international buyers find their home on the Costa Cálida. We support you from the first search to the notary and beyond. Contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

This guide is for information only and reflects the rules in force in September 2026. It does not replace personalised legal or tax advice.