Good to know · Taxes
Owning a home: the yearly property tax (IBI)
The Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles (IBI) is a yearly municipal tax on real estate, based on the valor catastral set by the Catastro; the owner on 1 January is the taxpayer, and each council sets its own rate within the range in the law and its own payment calendar.
- Why it matters
- Anyone who owns a home in Spain gets an IBI bill from the council every year. Knowing where the valor catastral comes from and who the law makes responsible helps you read the bill and handle a purchase.
- When
- You buy, inherit or own a home or other real estate in Spain, or you receive an IBI notice or direct-debit charge.
- How long it takes
- The tax accrues each 1 January; each council sets when it collects (see your council).
- Official page
- Texto refundido de la Ley Reguladora de las Haciendas Locales (RDL 2/2004), arts. 60-77
- Last checked
- 26 Oct 2026
In the guide: the 4 steps, what to bring (4 items), the 2 offices with addresses and hours, and 4 Easy to miss lines, with every official source.
One Easy to miss, on us
The Haciendas Locales law says the tax accrues on the first day of the tax period and that the tax period is the calendar year.