What are the average monthly running costs of an apartment in Spain?

For a two-bedroom apartment within a gated community, average monthly running costs range from €180 to €280 per month, covering municipal IBI tax, rubbish fee, community charges, standing electricity, water, and fibre broadband.

How much is Spanish municipal property tax (IBI)?

IBI (Impuesto sobre Bienes Inmuebles) in Costa Blanca municipalities (such as Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa) ranges between 0.4% and 0.7% of the property's cadastral value, typically amounting to €250 to €600 annually.

What does professional key holding and property care cost in Spain?

House in Spain provides three transparent packages: Basic Management (€29/month for key holding and monthly inspection), Comfort Management (€69/month for 2 monthly checks with photo reports and postal photos), and Premium Management (€110/month all-in including tradesperson coordination, 24/7 emergency response, and free Smart Home Guard monitoring).

Cost of Running a House in Spain: Monthly Calculator 2026

Property Profile & Utilities

Property Type

Apartment

Townhouse

Detached Villa

Occupancy Profile

Cadastral Value (for IBI tax) € 75,000

€

Community / HOA fees per month € 50 / mo

€

Enter 0 if you own a standalone villa with no community.

Private Swimming Pool Includes pump electricity, chemicals, and additional water/sewerage (evaporation & backwash).

Property Care & Key Holding (House in Spain) Key holding, routine checks, photo reports, and 24/7 emergency response.

Add Smart Home Guard (+€9.50 / mo) 24/7 sensor alerts for power outages, water leaks & climate via Wi-Fi.

Estimated Monthly Costs

€ 258

€ 3,096 per year

IBI Council Tax € 34 / mo

Rubbish Collection (Basura) € 12 / mo

Electricity (Standing charge + usage) € 50 / mo

Water & Sewerage € 19 / mo

Community Charges (HOA) € 50 / mo

Buildings & Contents Insurance € 18 / mo

Fibre Broadband & TV € 25 / mo

Pool Pump Power & Sanitisation € 45 / mo

Comfort Management € 69 / mo

Smart Home Guard € 9.50 / mo

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Understanding Spanish Property Running Costs

Owning a home on the Costa Blanca is remarkably affordable compared to northern Europe. However, budgeting accurately for fixed running expenses is essential to avoid surprises.

Key Recurring Expenses:

IBI (Municipal Property Tax): Collected annually in the autumn by local tax bodies (such as SUMA in Alicante). Typically €250 to €600 per year.
Basura (Refuse Collection Fee): Flat annual charge of approximately €120 to €160 per home for rubbish disposal.
Electricity (Potencia vs Consumption): In Spain, you pay a standing capacity fee (término de potencia) even when the property is unoccupied, typically €25 to €35 per month.
Community Fees (Comunidad): Covers communal gardens, lifts, pools, and building insurance for shared urbanisations. Typically €40 to €90 per month for apartments.
Water & Sewerage (Canon de Saneamiento): Combines mains water, municipal sewage, and regional wastewater treatment taxes. A private swimming pool increases these costs noticeably due to intense summer evaporation and regular filter backwashing.
Property Care & Key Holding: Professional key holding and routine checks (Basic €29/mo, Comfort €69/mo, or Premium All-in €110/mo with emergency response and Smart Home Guard) protect your Spanish investment from storm damage, plumbing leaks, and vacancy hazards.