Spanish taxes beyond VAT: registration tax and transfer tax (ITP)

Besides VAT, Spain can charge a registration tax at first registration and a regional transfer tax (ITP) on some second-hand purchases.

Updated 24 Oct 2026 3 min read

Key points

Registration tax applies once, at first registration in Spain. A boat already on the Spanish register does not pay it again.
Transfer tax (ITP) can apply to a second-hand sale from a private seller. Each region sets its rate.
Ask your broker or gestor to work out both on the exact boat before you offer.

Separate from VAT

Yacht VAT explained: VAT paid vs VAT not paid is about whether EU tax was paid on the boat. The taxes below are different and can come on top. This guide gives general information. Tax rules change, and an adviser must confirm them for your case.

Registration tax

Spain charges a special tax (IEDMT) the first time certain recreational boats are registered in Spain. Under Article 65 of Law 38/1992 it applies to boats over 8 metres in length, with exemptions. The general rate is 12%, and the Canary Islands use a different rate. The tax base follows values set by the tax authority, which may differ from the price you paid.

It follows first registration, not the sale. A used boat bought from a Spanish owner, already on the Spanish register, does not pay it again. A used boat arriving from another country and registering in Spain for the first time can.
Commercial charter can be exempt. The exemption covers boats used exclusively for rental by businesses. Private use of the same boat in Spain can cancel it. See How to register a yacht in Spain: Lista 6 vs Lista 7 (commercial vs private) and Chartering your boat to offset costs.
Foreign flag does not always avoid it. Spanish customs take the view that a boat used by Spanish residents is liable even when the boat sits on a foreign register. See Can a Spanish or EU resident use a foreign-flagged yacht?.

Transfer tax (ITP)

When a private person sells a second-hand boat, the buyer normally pays transfer tax, ITP, on the price. Each autonomous region sets the rate, so Catalonia, the Balearics and Valencia differ, and rates change. Your gestor gives you the current rate for your region at the time you offer. The filing uses model 620 on the regional tax form.

If the seller is a business that charges VAT on the sale, VAT applies in place of ITP.

How to find out what you will pay

Tell your broker the boat's history: where it is registered, who the seller is, and its VAT status.
Ask for a written estimate of every tax before you sign the memorandum of agreement. See Making an offer and the memorandum of agreement.
Add the figures to your budget. See The true cost of ownership in Spain and the Med.

Also useful at step 3 Choosing a flag and registering your yacht

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change; check your own case with a professional or ask us.