Perhaps you own property in Spain, but you’re shifting from a holiday home to an upgraded, permanent one in a new location? Or maybe you’re looking to move back to the UK? Whatever your circumstances, we’ve created this guide to help you get a clear idea of what the process of selling your home would look like. Here’s what to consider when selling a property in Spain!
Is It a Good Time to Sell Property in Spain in 2026?
Right now can be a great time to sell a property in Spain since prices have been rising with a year-on-year increase between 9% and 12%, including some of the popular coastal areas such as the Costa Blanca, and this trend is expected to continue well into the following year. Depending on how much you’ve originally paid for your property and how much prices have risen in your specific region, deciding to sell now could be a great move.
Is Property Selling in Spain Right Now?
Property is absolutely selling in Spain right now as demand is currently outstripping supply significantly which is driving sales up, particularly in coastal areas and major cities. The improving domestic economy is a strong factor for the growing demand while limited new construction has led to somewhat of a structural housing deficit. What does this mean for you? It means that if you’re selling property in Spain in 2025 or 2026, you’ll likely have potential buyers queuing up looking to purchase your home.
How to Sell a Property in Spain
Looking to find out some more information on what the process of selling your home would look like and what steps are involved? We’ve got you. Here’s how to sell a property in Spain:
Find an Estate Agent
It’s not mandatory to use an estate agent when selling property in Spain, however it’s a good idea to do it anyway as estate agents have good knowledge of how to sell your property at the best possible price and are familiar with the local market. They also know how to best market the property and will handle viewings, negotiations and paperwork. Look for reputable and accredited agents experienced in working with expats.
Prepare the Property for Sale
Declutter and deep clean the property to make sure it’s ready for viewings. You might also want to get professional photos or a virtual tour (especially important for international buyers). The latter is something your estate agent should be able to help you with.
Gather All Relevant Documents
Before you sell a property in Spain, you’ll need to gather some key documentation including:
- Nota Simple (land registry extract)
- Title deeds (Escritura / Titulo de Propiedad)
- Energy Performance Certificate (CEE)
- Proof community fees and utilities are up to date
- IBI tax receipt
- Licences for extensions/renovations
- Occupancy certificate (where required)
List the Property on the Market
Ideally, estate agents selling property in Spain should publish the listing on all major portals and handle the bigger part of advertising the property, including advertising all over the world and making sure the listing is seen in a number of different languages. If you’d like you could also list it on additional property sites.
At Welcome Estates, we have decades of experience helping customers sell homes in the Costa Blanca area and have built a large online presence to showcase your property to a wide audience.
Appoint a Solicitor and a Notary
Hiring a solicitor is a great idea as they’ll be able to help you handle all legal and administrative processes that are part of the sale. For expats selling property in Spain, there’s a list on the UK government website of English-speaking property solicitors. Finding a solicitor as an expat is also something we at Welcome Estates can help with.
Once you’ve accepted an offer for selling your property in Spain, you’ll need to agree on a notary with the buyer. They’ll make sure everything is done according to legal procedures and handle taxation, registering the sale with the Land Registry, etc.
Sign the Reservation Contract
The Reservation Contract (Contracto de Reserva) means the property is now reserved for the buyer and taken off the market temporarily. The buyer is usually required to pay a small deposit, typically around €3,000. In the following 7-14 days:
- The buyer’s lawyer verifies the Nota Simple, checks for debts
- Both parties agree on final terms
- The buyer arranges a 10% deposit
- The seller provides all required documents
*Costs correct at time of publication
Sign the Private Contract (Arras / Contrato Privado)
The next step is signing the so called Private Contract (Contrato Privado) which is when the buyer pays the 10% deposit. This contract will outline all conditions, completion dates, obligations, etc. and beyond this point, if the buyer pulls out, they lose the deposit and if the seller pulls out, they repay double.
Finalise the Sale
The final step of selling a property in Spain is holding one final meeting to sign the deed of sale (Escritura de Compraventa). The buyer will at this point pay out the remaining balance and you as the seller will hand over the keys. This is also when the Notary will forward the transaction to the Land Registry.
What Are the Costs of Selling a Property in Spain?
One of the first things many sellers we’ve worked with would like to know is the cost of selling a home in Spain (understandably so), so we’ve created a breakdown to help you understand all the costs involved at a glance:
- Estate agent fees: Typically 3–6% of the sale price
- Legal fees: Usually 1–2% of the sale price (or a fixed fee depending on the lawyer)
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC / CEE): €60–€130
- Fit-for-occupancy certificate (Cédula / Licence of First Occupation): €60–€160, depending on region
- Plusvalía Municipal tax: Varies based on the increase in land value since last sale
- Mortgage cancellation costs (if applicable): Usually 0.5–1% of the outstanding mortgage plus notary fees
- Notary fees: Typically paid by the buyer, but the seller may have small associated costs
- 3% Non-resident retention: Buyer withholds 3% of the sale price (refundable if overpaid), only applies to non-resident sellers
What Is the Tax on Selling Property in Spain?
When you sell a property in Spain, the main tax you’ll need to pay is Capital Gains tax (CGT) applying to any profit made from this sale (any difference between what you originally paid and what you’ve sold it for).
CGT Rates for Residents
For Spanish residents CGT is applied on a sliding scale:
- 19% on the first €6,000 of gains
- 21% on gains between €6,000 and €50,000
- 23% on gains between €50,000 and €200,000
- 28% on gains above €200,000
CGT Rates for Non-Residents
For non-residents / expats selling property in Spain:
- EU/EEA residents pay a flat 19%
- Non-EU residents pay 24%
Selling a Property in Spain Is Easy With Welcome Estates
Are you looking to sell a property in Spain in the Costa Blanca or the general Alicante area? Welcome Estates can make the process easy for you. Our team of multi-lingual local agents has been helping customers buy and sell homes across the area for decades and we understand the processes and pain points involved.
We’ll make sure your property is seen all over the world and we have a large online presence via our website, Google ads, social media and more. What’s more, we can also help you find your new dream home.
To learn more, take a look at our dedicated guide to selling your home in Costa Blanca. If you need more information on what to consider when selling a property in Spain or if you’re ready to take the next step, get in touch with our team today or book a video chat and we’ll be happy to help!
Please keep in mind that this blog post offers general information only and is not a substitute for legal or tax advice.
