Buying a home in Spain not only means gathering the enough savings for entry or obtain financing through a mortgage. Added to this economic effort are the taxes associated with the purchase, which can mean thousands of additional euros and which, for many, represent a barrier to access for those who want to have their own home.
The former politician and former president of Ciudadanos, Albert Rivera, has spoken out on this matter, criticizing the high tax burden borne by buyers in Spain. In an intervention broadcast through his social networks, Rivera was forceful: “We are the country in Europe with the most taxes on housing.”
“Don’t believe any politician who talks about housing and doesn’t propose lowering taxes”
Rivera denounced that the weight of the taxes on the purchase of a home It is disproportionate and falls mainly on citizens. “I tell those who are watching us not to listen to any politician talk about housing and to believe it if they do not promise to lower housing taxes,” he warned.
The former politician maintains that, although public administrations insist on announcing measures for access to housing, they do not address one of the factors that make the operation most expensive, taxation. In his words, “stop advertising and help by reducing VAT when you buy or the ITP or documented legal acts,” in reference to the most relevant taxes that levy the acquisition of real estate.
“The State is the main beneficiary of the sale of homes”
The former leader of Ciudadanos also criticized that the different administrations are the biggest beneficiaries of these transactions, while the buyers bear the greatest economic burden. “The State is the main beneficiary of the purchase and sale of homes. It cannot be that public administrations take advantage of the purchase and sale of homes and the young people, the elderly, pay for it,” he said.
Rivera defended that there are real ways to alleviate the tax burden, especially for those who access housing for the first time. “There really are ways. The government has it in its hands to expand the offer and lower taxes,” he said, urging the authorities to adopt more effective measures that facilitate access to property.