Plusvalía municipal
Local tax on the increase in land value, paid by the seller to the town hall.
The plusvalía municipal (officially the IIVTNU) is a local tax levied by the town hall on the increase in the value of the land — not the building — between purchase and sale. Its amount depends on the cadastral value of the land, the number of years of ownership and each municipality's rate schedule.
Since the 2021 reform, you can choose whichever method is more favourable: a fixed calculation (cadastral value × coefficient) or the "real" calculation based on the gain actually realised. Where there is no gain, the tax is not due.
For the seller
The seller is the one who pays, within 30 days of the deed. Have it estimated before setting your price: on land held for a long time, it can run to several thousand euros.
See also