PROPERTY SEARCH

Date Published: 05/02/2024

Tax breaks you can get for buying property in small Spanish villages

Discover which depopulated Spanish villages provide financial support to resettle and revitalise them

Do you dream of experiencing the tranquillity and charm of small-town life in Spain? If so, you might be interested to know that there are several depopulated Spanish villages that offer grants and subsidies to individuals willing to resettle and revitalise these communities.

As more and more younger people flock to urban areas for better job opportunities and a more fast-paced lifestyle, the population decline of rural areas has given rise to what is known as ‘la España vacía’ or ‘empty Spain’, so the Spanish government and local authorities are now offering incentives to reverse this trend and breathe new life into these towns.

Initiatives to solve the problem

Plan Repuebla is an initiative aimed at combating depopulation in rural areas of Spain by providing housing and employment opportunities to individuals who are willing to relocate to these smaller towns and villages. The programme is divided into two distinct phases:

Phase One focuses on partnering with local councils in depopulated villages to identify and refurbish vacant homes.
Phase Two makes these renovated properties available to potential residents at affordable rent or purchase prices, welcoming those seeking a fresh start and willing to contribute to the revival of these rural communities.

Beyond housing, Plan Repuebla offers valuable resources, including information on available jobs, grants, subsidies, and social programs in rural areas.

What kinds of grants are available for younger people?

The 2022-2025 State Plan for Access to Housing aims to encourage young adults under the age of 35 to purchase homes in villages with fewer than 10,000 residents. This initiative provides a subsidy of 10,800 euros, capped at 20% of the purchase price of the property.

To qualify for this aid, the following conditions must be met:

The property must serve as the primary, long-term residence for a minimum of five years.
The purchase price must not exceed 120,000 euros.
Household income must not exceed three times the IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples, or Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator).
Applicants must have an annual income below 24,318 euros.
A home purchase contract dated after January 1, 2022, must be provided.

Tax breaks for moving to empty Spain

Several Spanish communities offer personal income tax deductions to encourage new residents to move to their villages. These deductions vary by region and are designed to support young people, large families and those with disabilities.

Asturias: A grant is available for buying or renovating a permanent home in areas at risk of depopulation. It applies to under 35s, large families and single-parent families.
Castilla y León: Financial support will be offered to those under 36 years old willing to buy a home in villages with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants, or 3,000 euros if it is within 30 kilometres of a provincial capital.
Madrid: Discounts of up to 1,000 euros on personal income tax for those under 35 living in villages with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants. Additionally, there is a 10% discount on personal income tax for people buying or renovating homes in these villages.
Castilla-La Mancha: A 15% bonus is offered for buying or renovating a property carried out after January 1, 2021, in villages with 5,000 inhabitants or less.
Murcia: A deduction of 15% for buying or renovating a primary residence in rural areas, up to a limit of 9,040 euros. Additionally, there is a deduction of 20% for renting a primary residence in rural areas, with a limit of 700 euros and a deduction of 1,000 euros for starting an economic activity as a self-employed person in rural areas.
Galicia: A personal income tax deduction of 10% of the amount paid for buying or renovating the main residence in villages with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants. This deduction is up to a maximum of 400 euros per taxpayer and applies to people under 36, large families and people with disabilities.
La Rioja: A tax rebate for buying, building or renovating a primary residence in small villages.

Image: Freepik

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