Spain allows non-residents to freely sell real estate, but the process in Valencia involves legal paperwork, taxes, and timelines.
This guide walks you through:
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Legal requirements
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Tax implications
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Buyer expectations
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Power of attorney options
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Money repatriation rules
🧾 Step-by-Step: Legal Process to Sell Property in Valencia
1. Sign a Reservation or Arras Contract
A buyer may make a verbal or written offer. If accepted:
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A reservation agreement may be signed
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Followed by an arras contract (with 10% deposit)
📌 This is a binding pre-sale contract under Spanish law.
2. Prepare for Notary Appointment
Your lawyer will:
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Confirm ownership and title are clean
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Gather all documents (deed, IBI receipts, certificate of energy efficiency, etc.)
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Calculate and communicate costs (Plusvalía, capital gains tax)
✅ You may grant a Power of Attorney to your lawyer if you’re abroad.
3. Completion & Signature at Notary
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Buyer and seller (or lawyers with POA) meet at a Valencia notary
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Deed of sale (escritura) is signed
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Seller receives funds by banker’s cheque
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Buyer pays taxes and registers the property
📄 What Documents Are Required to Sell?
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Title deed (escritura) | Proves ownership |
| NIE number | Required for foreign sellers |
| Certificate of Energy Efficiency | Mandatory for all sales |
| IBI property tax receipts | Proves municipal taxes are up to date |
| Latest utility bills | Confirms services and consumption |
| Plusvalía clearance (or estimate) | Local capital gains tax payable |
💸 What Taxes Will You Pay?
1. Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
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For non-residents: 19% on net profit
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Deductible costs: notary fees, registry, real estate commission, lawyer fees
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If you reinvest in another Spanish home as tax resident, exemptions may apply
2. 3% Retention (Impuesto sobre la Renta de No Residentes)
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Buyer must withhold 3% of sale price and pay it to Spanish Tax Agency
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This acts as a prepayment toward your final CGT
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If you owe less, you can claim a refund (Modelo 210)
3. Plusvalía Municipal
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Local tax on increased land value
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Calculated based on number of years you owned the property and cadastral value
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Paid to Valencia City Council
🔁 Can You Sell Without Being in Spain?
Yes — with a Power of Attorney (POA). This allows your lawyer to:
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Sign the contract and deed
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Close the utility accounts
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Pay your taxes
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Repatriate funds securely
✅ Borderless Lawyers handles everything — you don’t need to fly in.
💶 How Do You Receive the Money?
You’ll receive:
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Payment by bank cheque on completion
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Funds deposited to your Spanish or international account
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If repatriating funds, banks may require documentation for anti-money laundering compliance
📌 We help structure the transfer to avoid delays or blocks.
🧑⚖️ Why Work with Borderless Lawyers?
We guide you through:
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Drafting and reviewing sale agreements
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Tax optimization and refund claims
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Power of attorney drafting and notarization abroad
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Coordination with agents, buyers, and the notary
📞 Selling Property in Valencia? Let Us Handle It
Avoid tax traps, paperwork delays, and miscommunication. Let Borderless Lawyers manage the full process — so you sell safely and profitably.