What are the fees I need to pay when buying a property?

Basically you've got several costs there. First comes the IMT (Municipal Tax on Onerous Property Transfers), which is the biggest one and depends on the property value and its location - the rates vary quite a bit depending on the municipality. Then you've got stamp duty, which is charged by the State. And there are also notary fees, which are mandatory to authenticate the deed - these also vary depending on the transaction value.

You've also got real estate agency fees (if you use one), which generally run around 3-5% of the sale price, but this can be negotiated. If you need a bank loan, then more costs come up: property valuation, mortgage insurance (if the bank requires it), credit subscription. Most banks charge all of this separately.

It's a good idea to ask the notary or your bank for a document with all the ancillary expenses before you sign. That way you know exactly how much is coming out of your pocket on top of the price you agreed on. A lot of people are surprised when they see it all together, so it's better to be prepared from the start.

What a lot of people forget is that besides the official fees, you've also got costs with the notary and property registration, which aren't exactly taxes but they come out of your pocket anyway. Depending on where you're buying, there might also be local council contributions or specific municipal fees - it's worth asking the town hall in the area before you finalize the deal.

There's a detail that often gets overlooked: negotiate the price with the seller *before* you sign anything, because IMT and other taxes are calculated based on the final price agreed. A lot of people don't realize you can separate part of the deal into "contents" (furniture, decoration) that doesn't count toward the tax base - it works legally if it's properly documented. Also, always ask the real estate agent or the notary for a *written* estimate of all costs (IMT, registration, deed, fees) before you proceed, because you end up getting surprised when taxes pop up in the final days.