IBI
Spanish council tax on property, levied annually by the municipality. Based on cadastral value, typically 0.4–1.1%.
IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) is the annual Spanish council tax on real estate, levied by each municipality. It is paid once a year, typically in autumn.
The IBI is calculated as a percentage of the property's cadastral value (valor catastral) — generally well below market value. The rate varies by municipality, typically 0.4% to 1.1% of cadastral value per year.
For a Costa del Sol apartment with a cadastral value of €120,000, annual IBI typically runs €500–€1,300. The exact figure is on the previous year's IBI receipt — your lawyer obtains a copy during due diligence.
IBI is paid by whoever owns the property on 1 January of each tax year. Sale-year prorating between seller and buyer is negotiated in the contract and varies by region; in Andalucía the buyer typically pays from the date of escritura onwards.