Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Spain Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Valencia's property market is included in our pack
Valencia has become one of the most attractive cities in Spain for foreign property buyers, with prices still 15 to 20 percent lower than Madrid or Barcelona.
We keep this article constantly updated with fresh data on housing prices and foreign ownership rules in Valencia as of the first half of 2026.
Whether you are looking at apartments in Ruzafa, townhouses in Benimaclet, or villas near the coast, understanding what you can legally buy and own is essential.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Valencia.
Insights
- Valencia property prices rose 21.6% over 12 months, outpacing most other major Spanish cities and now averaging around 2,900 euros per square meter in early 2026.
- Foreign buyers in Valencia typically pay 10% transfer tax (ITP) on resale properties, dropping to 9% after June 1, 2026, making timing your purchase potentially worth thousands of euros.
- Spain's Golden Visa program ended in April 2025, so buying property in Valencia no longer provides a pathway to residency for non-EU citizens.
- Non-resident foreigners can get mortgages from Spanish banks but usually max out at 60 to 70% loan-to-value, compared to 80% for residents.
- Tourist rental licenses in Valencia are heavily regulated since 2025, and many buildings now require 60% approval from the community of owners before allowing short-term lets.
- Valencia sits in a flood-risk zone in certain areas, so checking the PATRICOVA cartography before buying near ravines or coastal plains is essential due diligence.
- The NIE (foreigner identification number) is mandatory for any property transaction in Valencia, and getting it early can save weeks of delays.
- Annual property tax (IBI) in Valencia city typically runs between 600 and 1,200 euros for standard apartments, based on cadastral value rather than market price.
What can I legally buy and truly own as a foreigner in Valencia?
What property types can foreigners legally buy in Valencia right now?
In January 2026, foreign individuals can buy residential property in Valencia across all the usual types, including apartments, penthouses, townhouses, detached houses, chalets, and villas, without any nationality-based restrictions.
The main legal condition is that you must obtain an NIE (Foreigner Identification Number) before completing any property transaction in Valencia, as this identifier is required for all economic and legal acts in Spain.
When you buy property in Valencia, you typically own it in full freehold (called "propiedad" in Spanish) and register it at the Property Registry in your own name, giving you the same ownership rights as Spanish citizens.
If your Valencia property is an apartment or within a complex, you also automatically own an undivided share of common elements like stairs, elevators, and rooftops, and you must follow the community of owners rules.
Finally, please note that our pack about the property market in Valencia is specifically tailored to foreigners.
Can I own land in my own name in Valencia right now?
Yes, in January 2026 a foreign individual can generally own land in Valencia in their own name, and that ownership can be registered at the Property Registry just like any other property right.
However, this does not mean you can do whatever you want with land you own, because Valencia has strict zoning rules, and coastal areas have public domain servitudes that can limit construction or modifications even on land you legally own.
If you are looking at land near the sea in areas like Malvarrosa, El Cabanyal-Canyamelar, or coastal towns in Valencia province, you should verify what constraints apply before assuming full development rights.
As of 2026, what other key foreign-ownership rules or limits should I know in Valencia?
As of early 2026, the main rules that often surprise foreign buyers in Valencia relate to tourist rental regulations, which have become much stricter, and to foreign investment reporting requirements that may apply to your purchase.
There is no foreign-ownership quota for apartments or condos in Valencia, meaning you can buy in any building regardless of how many other units are foreign-owned, unlike some countries that cap foreign ownership percentages.
However, if your purchase exceeds certain thresholds, you may need to file a declaration with Spain's foreign investment registry through the Ministry of Economy, and your lawyer or gestor should flag whether this applies to your transaction.
One notable recent change is that Spain introduced a national short-term rental registry in 2025, requiring all tourist rental properties to be registered and display a license number, and Valencia enforces this actively.
What's the biggest ownership mistake foreigners make in Valencia right now?
The biggest ownership mistake foreigners make in Valencia is buying a property with plans for tourist rentals without first checking whether that use is actually legal and licensable for that specific building and location.
If you make this mistake, you may discover after purchase that your building's community of owners prohibits short-term rentals, or that the property cannot obtain the required tourist license, leaving you stuck with an investment that cannot generate the income you planned.
Other classic pitfalls in Valencia include not checking the Nota Simple early enough to spot liens or embargoes, ignoring flood-risk zones before falling in love with a property, and underestimating how cadastral reference values can trigger unexpected tax reassessments.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Spain. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which visa or residency status changes what I can do in Valencia?
Do I need a specific visa to buy property in Valencia right now?
No special visa is required to buy property in Valencia in January 2026, and you can purchase as a non-resident, including while visiting Spain on a tourist visa.
The single most common administrative blocker for buyers without local residency is not having an NIE, because without this foreigner identification number you cannot sign the deed, pay taxes, or register ownership in Valencia.
You will also need a Spanish bank account to complete the purchase and pay related costs, so opening one early in the process is strongly recommended.
A typical document set for foreign buyers in Valencia includes your passport, NIE certificate, proof of funds or mortgage pre-approval, and any power of attorney if you will not attend the notary signing in person.
Does buying property help me get residency and citizenship in Valencia in 2026?
As of early 2026, buying property in Valencia does not automatically give you residency, and Spain's old Golden Visa program that linked property investment to residency was eliminated in April 2025.
Applications submitted before April 2025 are still being processed under the old rules, and existing Golden Visa holders can retain and renew their status, but new property purchases no longer qualify.
If you want to live in Valencia long-term, you will need to pursue other residency routes such as the Non-Lucrative Visa for retirees, the Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers, or family or employment-based pathways that are separate from property ownership.
Can I legally rent out property on my visa in Valencia right now?
Yes, you can rent out property you own in Valencia regardless of your visa status, but how you rent it matters significantly because long-term rentals and short-term tourist rentals have very different regulatory and tax requirements.
You do not need to live in Spain to rent out your Valencia property, and many foreign owners manage rentals from abroad, often using a local property manager to handle day-to-day operations and compliance.
If you are a non-resident renting property in Valencia, you must file Spanish non-resident income tax returns (typically using Modelo 210), and short-term tourist rentals require formal registration with the Generalitat Valenciana plus compliance with national and local rules that have tightened considerably.
We cover everything there is to know about buying and renting out in Valencia here.
Get fresh and reliable information about the market in Valencia
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How does the buying process actually work step-by-step in Valencia?
What are the exact steps to buy property in Valencia right now?
The standard sequence to buy property in Valencia involves getting your NIE, finding a property and making an offer, running due diligence on the title and liens, signing a private contract with deposit, arranging mortgage if needed, signing the public deed at a notary, paying taxes, and then registering ownership at the Property Registry.
You do not necessarily need to be physically present for every step, because many buyers use a power of attorney to have a trusted representative sign on their behalf, though many people prefer to attend the notary signing personally.
The step that typically makes the deal legally binding in Valencia is signing the private contract (often called "arras"), at which point the buyer pays a deposit, usually around 10% of the price, and both parties commit to completing the sale or face penalties.
From accepted offer to final registration in the Property Registry, a typical Valencia purchase takes anywhere from four to eight weeks, though this can stretch longer if there are mortgage delays, complex title issues, or scheduling problems with the notary.
We have a document entirely dedicated to the whole buying process our pack about properties in Valencia.
Is it mandatory to get a lawyer or a notary to buy a property in Valencia right now?
A notary is practically mandatory for a normal safe purchase in Valencia because the public deed (escritura pública) must be signed before a notary to enable registration at the Property Registry, which protects your ownership rights.
The key difference is that the notary in Valencia authenticates the deed and ensures both parties understand what they are signing, while a lawyer (which is optional but strongly recommended for foreigners) actively protects your interests by checking for title defects, liens, zoning problems, and hidden issues before you commit.
If you hire a lawyer for your Valencia property purchase, make sure their scope explicitly includes obtaining and reviewing the Nota Simple, checking for liens and encumbrances, verifying zoning compliance, and confirming that the property can legally be used for your intended purpose.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Spain versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What checks should I run so I don't buy a problem property in Valencia?
How do I verify title and ownership history in Valencia right now?
The official authority for verifying title and ownership history in Valencia is the Registro de la Propiedad (Property Registry), where all legitimate ownership and recorded rights are documented.
The key document you should request is called a Nota Simple, which shows who currently owns the property, the property description, and any recorded charges, mortgages, or encumbrances against it.
A realistic look-back period that buyers commonly use in Valencia is at least 15 to 20 years of ownership history, which helps identify patterns of frequent sales, inheritance complications, or unresolved claims.
A clear red-flag finding that should stop or pause your purchase is discovering an active embargo (judicial seizure), an uncleared mortgage, or a pending legal dispute recorded against the property.
You will find here the list of classic mistakes people make when buying a property in Valencia.
How do I confirm there are no liens in Valencia right now?
The standard way to confirm there are no liens or encumbrances on a property in Valencia is to obtain a fresh Nota Simple from the Property Registry, which lists all recorded charges (called "cargas") against the property.
One common type of lien buyers should specifically ask about in Valencia is an existing mortgage that has not been formally cancelled in the registry, because even if the seller claims it is paid off, it may still appear as a recorded charge until officially removed.
The single best form of written proof showing lien status is the Nota Simple itself, which is an official registry extract, and you should obtain one dated as close to your signing date as possible to catch any last-minute recordings.
How do I check zoning and permitted use in Valencia right now?
The authority for checking zoning and permitted use in Valencia is the Ayuntamiento (city council), and you can access planning information through their official geoportal which shows zoning layers for any property in the city.
The document or map reference that confirms zoning classification is the urban planning layer (planeamiento urbanístico) visible on the Valencia geoportal, which shows whether land is residential, commercial, protected, or subject to special conditions.
A common zoning pitfall foreign buyers miss in Valencia is assuming they can convert a property to tourist rental use or extend a building without checking whether the zoning actually permits that use, especially in historic areas, coastal zones, or areas near planned infrastructure projects.
Buying real estate in Valencia can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
Can I get a mortgage as a foreigner in Valencia, and on what terms?
Do banks lend to foreigners for homes in Valencia in 2026?
As of early 2026, yes, Spanish banks do lend to foreigners for home purchases in Valencia, though the terms differ depending on whether you are a tax resident or a non-resident.
The realistic loan-to-value range for foreign borrowers in Valencia is typically 50 to 70% for non-residents, meaning you will need to bring at least 30 to 50% of the purchase price as a down payment, while residents can often access up to 80%.
The single most common eligibility factor determining whether a foreigner qualifies for a Valencia mortgage is proof of stable income, which banks assess through payslips, tax returns, or bank statements, regardless of where that income is earned.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Spain.
Which banks are most foreigner-friendly in Valencia in 2026?
As of early 2026, the banks most commonly cited as foreigner-friendly for mortgages in Valencia are Banco Santander, Bankinter, and BBVA, all of which have established workflows and documentation for non-resident borrowers.
What makes these banks more foreigner-friendly is that they publicly document their non-resident mortgage products, accept income documentation from abroad, and have staff experienced in handling the extra complexity of lending to non-residents.
All three banks will generally lend to non-residents in Valencia, though the maximum loan-to-value, interest rates, and documentation requirements will typically be stricter than what they offer to Spanish tax residents.
We actually have a specific document about how to get a mortgage as a foreigner in our pack covering real estate in Valencia.
What mortgage rates are foreigners offered in Valencia in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners buying in Valencia can typically expect mortgage interest rates in the range of 3.2 to 4.2%, with non-residents usually paying a premium of 0.5 to 1% above what residents are offered.
Fixed-rate mortgages in Valencia tend to be priced slightly higher than variable rates at the outset (often in the mid to high 3% range for non-residents), while variable-rate mortgages track the Euribor plus a spread, which can start lower but carries the risk of rising if rates increase.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Spain compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What will taxes, fees, and ongoing costs look like in Valencia?
What are the total closing costs as a percent in Valencia in 2026?
The typical total closing cost for buying property in Valencia in 2026 is around 11 to 14% of the purchase price, with the exact amount depending on whether you are buying a resale property or a new build.
The realistic low-to-high range that covers most standard transactions in Valencia is 11.5% on the low end for straightforward resale purchases up to about 14% for new builds or more complex transactions involving lawyers and additional services.
The specific fee categories that make up total closing costs in Valencia include the transfer tax (ITP) or VAT plus stamp duty for new builds, notary fees, property registry fees, gestoría (administrative agent) fees, and lawyer fees if you hire one.
The single biggest contributor to closing costs in Valencia is the transfer tax (ITP), which is currently 10% of the declared value for resale properties (dropping to 9% after June 1, 2026) and rises to 11% for properties valued over one million euros.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Valencia.
What annual property tax should I budget in Valencia in 2026?
As of early 2026, a typical annual property tax (IBI) budget for a standard owner-occupied apartment in Valencia city is around 600 to 1,200 euros, or roughly 650 to 1,300 USD.
The main way IBI is assessed in Valencia is as a percentage (around 0.58% in Valencia city) applied to the cadastral value of the property, which is typically much lower than the market price, meaning your actual tax bill is based on this official value rather than what you paid.
How is rental income taxed for foreigners in Valencia in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreign non-residents earning rental income from Valencia property typically face an effective tax rate of 19% if they are EU or EEA residents (with certain expense deductions allowed) or 24% if they are from outside the EU (often on gross income with limited deductions).
The basic filing requirement for foreign owners is to submit Modelo 210 to Spain's tax agency (AEAT), which you must do quarterly if you have rental income or annually if the property sits empty (for imputed income tax).
What insurance is common and how much in Valencia in 2026?
As of early 2026, a typical annual home insurance premium in Valencia ranges from about 150 to 350 euros (roughly 160 to 380 USD) for an apartment and 350 to 900 euros (roughly 380 to 980 USD) for a house or villa.
The most common type of property insurance coverage owners carry in Valencia is a "multirriesgo hogar" policy, which combines building damage, contents, civil liability, and various incident protections into a single package.
The biggest factor that makes insurance premiums higher or lower in Valencia is location and risk exposure, particularly flood risk in areas near ravines, coastal plains, or zones identified in the PATRICOVA flood maps, which can significantly increase premiums or require additional coverage.
Get the full checklist for your due diligence in Valencia
Don't repeat the same mistakes others have made before you. Make sure everything is in order before signing your sales contract.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Valencia, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| BOE (Official State Gazette) | It's the legally binding publication of Spanish and regional tax law. | We used it to pin down the actual transfer tax (ITP) rates in Valencia for January 2026. We verified the 10% rate before June 2026 and 11% threshold for properties over one million euros. |
| Spain Ministry of Interior | It's the official authority for the NIE identifier foreigners must use in legal acts. | We used it to explain what the NIE is and why you need it to complete a property purchase. We clarified the practical requirement that buying without an NIE is essentially impossible. |
| Agencia Tributaria (AEAT) | It's Spain's tax agency with official non-resident income tax rates. | We used it to define the 19% and 24% non-resident tax rate framework. We also used it to explain rental income and imputed income tax obligations for foreign owners. |
| Consejo General del Notariado | Notaries are the public officials who authenticate property deeds in Spain. | We used their purchase guide to detail what happens at the notary and the standard buying steps. We kept the process section chronological and low-stress for readers. |
| Colegio de Registradores | Registrars are the official keepers of property rights and recorded liens in Spain. | We used their guide to explain what "cargas" (liens) are and how they affect buyers. We shaped the lien-check advice in plain language for non-professionals. |
| Ayuntamiento de Valencia Geoportal | It's the municipality's own planning and zoning interface. | We used it as the practical reference for checking zoning and planning layers in Valencia. We made the zoning check actionable for non-professionals. |
| Generalitat Valenciana PATRICOVA | It's the regional government's official flood-risk planning framework. | We used it to flag Valencia-specific flood exposure risks in certain areas. We added this as a critical check before committing to any property in risk-prone zones. |
| Generalitat Valenciana Tourist Housing | It's the official procedure page for tourist-use property registration. | We used it to explain what you must do if you plan short-term rentals in Valencia. We avoided vague advice and stuck to current regulatory requirements. |
| Ministry of Inclusion (Golden Visa note) | It's an official operational note from the immigration authority. | We used it to confirm that the investor Golden Visa route tied to property was eliminated. We kept the visa section accurate for January 2026. |
| INE (National Statistics Institute) | It's the official statistical body for national mortgage market data in Spain. | We used it to estimate typical interest rate levels Spanish borrowers were seeing going into 2026. We adjusted for non-resident borrower pricing to produce realistic estimates. |
| Banco de España | It's Spain's central bank providing official mortgage benchmark references. | We used it to anchor the mortgage-rate discussion in official reference-rate infrastructure. We explained why variable-rate mortgages track the Euribor. |
| Banco Santander | It's a major Spanish bank with published non-resident mortgage products. | We used it to identify foreigner-friendly mortgage options in Valencia. We verified that major banks do lend to non-residents with specific product pages. |
| Ayuntamiento de Valencia IBI Ordinance | It's Valencia city's own tax ordinance publication. | We used it to ground the annual property tax (IBI) discussion in Valencia's official framework. We produced realistic annual budget estimates based on actual rates. |
| ICEA (Insurance Statistics) | It's the authoritative source for insurance sector data in Spain. | We used it to confirm home insurance is a mainstream product and estimate typical premium ranges. We combined this with Valencia-specific risk factors for accurate guidance. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Spain. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.