In short
Buying in Salou needs roughly 30% of the price in cash: the 20% the lender will not finance, plus taxes and costs starting at 10% transfer tax on resale property. On a €200,000 flat that is about €63,000. As a non-resident, expect to contribute 30–40% instead.
To get a mortgage for a property in Salou, three things need to fit before you apply: how the property will really be used, how much cash you actually have and a monthly payment your income can carry. A Spanish lender does not assess a main home like a holiday apartment, and it does not assess a flat like a shop, an office or a plot of land.
RCG Finance is a real-estate credit intermediary registered with the Bank of Spain under number E760, based at Avinguda Antoni Gaudí, 20 in Salou. For hands-on help with the application and lender comparison, see our mortgage broker in Salou page. This article is the detailed buying guide; buyers in the provincial capital or the next town along the coast can also use our Tarragona and Cambrils pages.
Main home or second home: the lender's first question
Financing changes sharply depending on how you will use the property.
- Main home. Spanish lenders commonly finance up to about 80% of the lower of purchase price and valuation. This is the most favourable scenario.
- Second home. The bank takes more risk, because a holiday home is the first payment people stop making when money is tight. Lending usually drops to around 60–70%, and pricing is tighter.
In practical terms: for a second home in Salou, plan to have around 30–40% of the price in savings, plus 10–12% for taxes and costs. Knowing this before you make an offer avoids signing something you cannot complete.
Buying in Salou as a non-resident
The Costa Daurada attracts many international buyers, and Spanish banks do not all treat non-residents the same way. What to expect:
- Lower loan-to-value: typically around 60–70% for EU residents, and sometimes less for buyers resident outside the EU.
- Home-country income evidence: payslips, tax returns and bank statements, sometimes translated.
- A narrower lender list: not every bank has an appetite for non-resident cases, and the ones that do apply different rules on currency and residence.
Choosing the right lender first saves weeks and an unnecessary refusal. Our non-resident mortgage guide explains the documents, the NIE and the timeline in detail.
How much cash you need: a Salou example
| Item | Main home | Second home |
|---|---|---|
| Unfinanced deposit | ~20% | ~30–40% |
| Taxes and costs | ~10–12% | ~10–12% |
| Approximate total cash | ~30% | ~40–52% |
On a €200,000 resale flat bought as a main home, that means roughly €63,000 of your own money. Resale property in Catalonia pays transfer tax (ITP), which has been progressive since June 2025: 10% up to €600,000, then 11%, 12% and 13% on higher bands. New builds pay VAT plus stamp duty instead. The full breakdown is in our guide to the costs of buying property in Spain, and the Catalonia purchase cost calculator gives a first estimate.
Flat, villa, shop, office or land: not the same mortgage
The searches look similar, but the banking product changes with the asset:
- Flat or villa to live in. Assessed as a residential mortgage, with up to about 80% of the lower of price and valuation as the usual starting point.
- Investment property or second home. Lenders ask for more of your own funds and may shorten the term.
- Shop or office. Usually assessed as non-residential finance, with different percentages and terms. See financing commercial property in Spain.
- Land and self-build. Buying the plot and funding the construction are separate stages. Licence, project, budget and your own contribution need to be clear first. Our self-build mortgage guide covers how staged funding works.
That is why an online "Salou mortgage calculator" only gives a first reference. Whether the purchase is viable depends on the type of property and what it will be used for.
Holiday lets and community costs
If you plan to rent the property to tourists, check the legal position independently with your lawyer before you buy. Catalonia has tightened the rules for tourist-use dwellings in recent years, and lenders will not base affordability on rental income that may not be permitted.
Coastal buildings can also carry higher community charges, planned repairs to facades or pools, and seasonal utility costs. Include them in the ownership budget, not only the purchase budget.
Fixed, variable or mixed for a coastal home
The usual question, with a local twist: many second-home buyers plan to repay early or sell within some years. In that case, paying the premium for a 30-year fixed rate may not be worth it. If you will keep the property for a long time and want a stable payment, a fixed rate buys peace of mind. We develop this in how to find the best mortgage in Spain and how Euribor affects a Spanish mortgage.
Why it pays to compare lenders in parallel
The most expensive mistake is going to one bank, accepting its first offer and signing. In coastal purchases (second homes, non-residents, income from several sources) the difference between the lender that fits your profile and the one that does not can be thousands of euros, or a flat refusal.
A credit intermediary regulated by Law 5/2019 prepares one solid file, presents it to several lenders at once and negotiates rate, linked products and fees for you. We do not guarantee approval or a loan percentage: the lender makes the final decision after underwriting and valuation.
Checklist before buying on the Costa Daurada
- I know whether it is a main home or a second home (it changes the financing).
- I know the real cash I need (deposit plus taxes and costs), not just the deposit.
- If I am a non-resident, I am approaching lenders that actually work with my profile.
- I will compare at least three lenders with the same file.
- I understand the total cost in euros, not only the headline rate.
- I will speak to a broker before signing arras, or share the deadlines immediately if I already have.
Looking at a property in Salou? Request a free assessment in English and we will review the deposit, costs, payment and next steps with you, remotely if you live abroad.
Sources and review
Prepared by the RCG Finance editorial team (RCG 2026 S.L., Bank of Spain register of credit intermediaries no. E760) and reviewed by Rafael, founder of RCG Finance and former debt and M&A advisor at KPMG and PwC, under our editorial standards. Last source review: 17 September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is RCG Finance based in Salou?
Yes. The registered office is at Avinguda Antoni Gaudí, 20, 43840 Salou, Tarragona.
