Note
Buying property in Galicia: what to check
Quick answer
Galicia is a green, rainy north-western region of small farms, stone houses and fishing villages. Rural plots are often small and scattered, so boundaries and registry entries need care. Check damp, the roof and the tax rate on used housing, which the Galician tax agency publishes.
Applies toBuyers considering a stone house, a village home or a flat in Galicia.
On this page: 12 sections
§ 1The region
Galicia occupies the north-west corner of Spain, with a long indented coast, estuaries, fishing villages, green hills, granite farmhouses and cities such as Vigo and A Coruña. This page belongs to the chapter on house hunting in Northern Spain.
§ 2The market
The statistics institute reports an annual price rise of 12.9% in Galicia in the second quarter of 2026. We found no registry average for the region or for any town, so we print none. Ask local agents for recent sales and compare like with like.
§ 3Taxes
The Galician tax agency gives a general rate of 8% on used housing, with 7% for a main residence within price and wealth limits and 3% for buyers under thirty-six within limits. Check whether you qualify on your deed date. The costs section explains.
§ 4Small plots and boundaries
Rural land is often split into small scattered plots, with boundaries that may not match the registry. A lawyer should verify the title and the cadastral record, and a surveyor should mark the boundaries. The legal process section explains the checks.
§ 5Stone houses
Old granite houses bring damp, wet roofs, rot and old wiring. Take a survey, visit in winter and check the heating and the energy certificate. The property types section explains old houses and renovation.
§ 6Rain and floods
Heavy rain brings flood and landslide risk in valleys and near rivers. Check the national flood viewer and the position of the plot. The location checks section explains.
§ 7Coast
Coastal homes are subject to the coastal law, which protects a zone of 100 metres inland from the shore. Ask your lawyer for the certificate.
§ 8Who it may suit
It may suit buyers who want green countryside, fishing villages and low crowds, and who accept rain and damp. Buying in Asturias covers Asturias to the east.
§ 9What we could not verify
We found no registry average for Galicia and did not read the regional rules on lets or rural land.
§ 10Questions to ask on site in this place
Ask about damp, the roof, the boundaries and the flood history of the plot. Ask the community administrator, if there is one, for the statutes, the last accounts and the minutes of the previous meetings. Visit in winter and after rain, because the north is green for a reason and damp shows in the wet months. Write down the answers and compare them with the documents your lawyer receives from the registry and the town hall.
§ 11Before you pay a deposit in this place
Check the regional tax rate for the exact region and province on your deed date. Have your lawyer check the title, the licences and the charges first, and keep the deposit small and refundable on conditions. Choose a lawyer who checks boundaries and the registry, and a surveyor who knows old stone buildings. The legal process section explains the contract and the deed.
§ 12More on this topic
Buying in Cantabria explains what to check when buying in Cantabria and buying in the Basque Country explains what to check when buying in Basque Country.
FAQRelated questions
Why are Galician plots a concern?
Farmland is commonly split among numerous tiny parcels, so what the registry says may differ from what is on the ground. Engage a lawyer for ownership checks and a surveyor to mark out the limits.
Is Galicia rainy?
Yes, which is why it is green. Old stone houses suffer from damp, wet roofs and rot, so visit in winter, take a survey and check heating, ventilation and the energy certificate.
Are there tax reductions?
The Galician tax office publishes lower rates for a primary home and for younger purchasers, each with ceilings. Confirm eligibility on the date of signing, because the conditions are demanding.
Sources
- Boletín Oficial del Estado: Ley 22/1988 de Costas (BOE-A-1988-18762) (official source, opens in a new window), Arts. 7, 8, 12 to 15, 23 to 28 and 13 bis; text read to article 44, transitional provisions not readLast checked 18 October 2026
- Instituto Nacional de Estadística: Housing Price Index (HPI), Q2 2026 press release (official source, opens in a new window), Annual and quarterly change; regionsLast checked 17 October 2026
- Axencia Tributaria de Galicia: Compra de vivenda usada ou de segunda man (official source, opens in a new window), Rates and limitsLast checked 17 October 2026
General information only. This is not legal, tax or financial advice. Check your own situation with a qualified adviser.