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If you want to buy a boat, it is essential to know which taxes apply in Spain to avoid surprises and comply with current regulations. There are three main taxes that can affect your boat:
VAT (Value Added Tax)
ITP (Transfer Tax)
Registration Tax
VAT is the best-known tax and currently applies at 21% on the taxable base of the sales contract.
It must be itemized on the invoice for new or second-hand boats that have not yet been owned by a private individual.
It is only applied once, as the boat will then be subject to ITP in future transfers.
For second-hand boats sold by private individuals, the Transfer Tax (ITP) applies.
Every year, the Ministry of Finance publishes the “tax tables” which set the minimum value of each boat for ITP purposes.
The tax is calculated on the higher value between the sales contract price and the value established in the tables.
Exemple:
Actual value of the boat: €10,000
Value in the tax tables: €5,000 → The tax is calculated on €10,000
Obligation:
The buyer must pay the tax in their Autonomous Community, according to current regulations.
The tax rate varies between 4% and 8%, depending on the Autonomous Community.
| Autonomous Community | Tax Rate | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Andalusia |
4% 8% |
General >8 m |
| Catalonia | 5% | General |
| Castile and León | 5% | General |
| Valencian Community |
6% 8% |
General >8 m or >20.000 € |
| Extremadura | 6% | General |
| Canary Islands | 5,5% | General |
| Madrid | 4% | General |
| Murcia | 4% | General |
Thus, a boat will always be taxed under one of these two taxes: it will either pay VAT or ITP, never both at the same time.
Important: VAT and ITP are mutually exclusive; they are never paid simultaneously.
Regulated by Title II of Law 38/1992, the Registration Tax applies to new or used boats over 8 meters of fiscal length or to personal watercraft, regardless of length.
Exemptions:
Recreational boats with a fiscal length under 8 meters, regardless of their intended use
Boats over 8 meters intended for rental or sports schools
Tax rate:
General: 12% on the value of the boat and accessories
Canary Islands: 11%
Ceuta and Melilla: 0%
It is important to note that:
Tax collection has been delegated to the Autonomous Communities, so the rate may vary depending on the region.
As with ITP, the tax is calculated on the value of the boat and may be adjusted according to regional regulations.
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