As a normal rule, to estimate the costs of buying a property is to add approximately 11% of the purchase price, to allow for all the fees and expenses involved. This 11% is broken down as follows 8% for Vat (new construction) or 7 %Transfer tax (re-sale property) 1% for lawyers Fees 1% for Notary and Land registry 1% for Stamp duty Note: If you are purchasing a plot of land for which is registered for the first time, commercial premises or individual garages the Vat increases to 18%. These are the new tax laws which came into force on July 1 2010.