Selling property in Spain: what residents and non-residents need to know before they sign.

Selling property in Spain is not just a legal transaction — it's a tax event, and the rules are completely different depending on whether you are a tax resident in Spain or you own property here but live abroad as a non-resident. Most sellers don't know which regime applies to them until it's too late to change the outcome.

At Sol-4 Gestión, we represent both resident and non-resident sellers on the Costa Blanca. We calculate your full tax position before you commit to a price, manage every filing on your behalf, and do it all in English, remotely if needed.

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  • ✦25 years on the Costa Blanca
  • ✦English, Spanish and German
  • ✦Response within 24 hours
  • ✦2,500+ operations handled

Your tax position depends on one thing: whether you're a tax resident in Spain.

Most sellers find out how the tax works after the sale. That's too late. What you keep from the sale depends on how the taxes are managed — and that work has to start before you agree a price.

01
Non-Resident Sellers

If you live abroad and own property in Spain.

As a non-resident seller, the Spanish tax system applies a specific set of rules that most foreign owners don't know about until they're in the middle of the sale.

The 3% withholding — the buyer retains 3% of the sale price and pays it directly to the Spanish tax authority as an advance on your capital gains tax
Capital gains tax (Modelo 210) — filed within four months of the sale. If the 3% withheld exceeds your actual liability, you are entitled to a refund — but only if you claim it in time
Plusvalía municipal — a local tax on the increase in land value since the last transfer, paid by the seller. Since 2021 it cannot exceed the actual gain on the land. We review the town hall's calculation every time
Allowable deductions — legal fees, notary, land registry, agency commissions and documented improvements all reduce your taxable gain. Many sellers never claim them
Calculate your tax position →
02
Resident Sellers

If you live in Spain and are selling your property.

Tax residents in Spain have a different set of rules — and in some cases, significant exemptions that non-residents don't have access to.

No 3% withholding — if you provide a certificate of fiscal residency before the sale completes, the buyer does not retain the 3%
Capital gains tax via IRPF — declared in your annual income tax return for the year of the sale, not separately
Full exemption if you're over 65 and selling your main home — the gain is fully exempt under Spanish law, regardless of the profit. Many sellers in this situation never claim it
Reinvestment exemption — if you reinvest the proceeds in another main residence, the gain may be partially or fully exempt
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How we manage a property sale: step by step.

From the pre-sale tax assessment to the post-sale closures — for both residents and non-residents.

01

Pre-sale tax assessment

Before you agree a price, we calculate your full tax position. Resident or non-resident, we model the capital gains tax, the plusvalía and any exemptions or deductions that apply to your situation. You know exactly what you'll keep before you commit to anything.

Get your assessment →
02

Legal review of the property

Before the sale completes, we verify the legal status of the property: charges, mortgages, community debts and any registry issues that could complicate the transaction or reduce the final price.

03

Certificate of fiscal residency (residents only)

If you are a tax resident in Spain, we obtain the certificate of fiscal residency from Hacienda before the sale. Without it, the buyer must retain the 3% regardless of your status. This step alone can save you thousands of euros.

04

Power of attorney (if needed)

If you cannot or prefer not to travel to Spain, we prepare the power of attorney that allows us to represent you at every stage — from contract review to notary completion. This applies to both resident and non-resident sellers.

05

Notary representation

We represent you at the notary appointment. We review the escritura (title deed) before signature and verify the correct application of the 3% withholding for non-residents, or its absence for residents who have provided the certificate.

06

Tax filings

For non-residents: Modelo 210 and the 3% refund claim, within four months of the sale. For residents: IRPF capital gains declaration in the annual return. For both: plusvalía settlement and review. All within the legal deadlines.

07

Post-sale closures

Mortgage cancellation, notification to the community of owners, closure of utility contracts and everything that formally closes your ownership of the property — so nothing is left in your name after the sale.

What's included in our service.

Pre-sale tax assessment

Resident or non-resident — we calculate your full position before you agree a price.

Legal review of the property

Charges, mortgages, community debts and registry issues verified before sale.

Certificate of fiscal residency

Residents only — obtained before the sale to avoid the 3% withholding.

Notary representation

In person or by power of attorney — you don't need to travel to Spain.

Capital gains tax filing

Modelo 210 for non-residents, IRPF declaration for residents — within deadlines.

3% withholding refund claim

Non-residents where applicable — filed and followed up until received.

Plusvalía municipal review

Both profiles — we review the town hall's calculation every time.

Post-sale closures

Mortgage, utilities, community of owners — everything formally closed.

We've seen what happens when nobody manages the sale properly.
It doesn't have to be your story.

A client came to us after the fact: tax resident in Spain, over 65, selling their main home, fully exempt from capital gains tax. No certificate had been obtained, so the buyer had no choice but to retain the 3%. The exemption was never claimed. The deadline passed. None of that happens when the right people are involved from the start.

What you keep from the sale depends on how the taxes are managed — and that work has to start before you agree a price.

We calculate your position before you agree a price

Resident or non-resident — you know exactly what you'll keep before you commit.

We check every exemption and deduction

Every allowable euro reduces your bill. We make sure none are missed.

We manage every filing within the legal deadlines

No missed refunds. No penalties. No surprises.

We respond within 24 hours

Because in a property sale, delays cost money.

Frequently asked questions about selling property in Spain.

For both residents and non-residents.

Tell us your case.

We'll read it, we'll come back to you within 24 hours, and we'll tell you honestly whether we're the right people to help. No pressure, no commitment.

Email Us info@sol-4gestion.com
Call Us +34 966 71 51 81
Visit Us C/ ANETO 1, Local 3 - BOX 52
Benimar I, Benijófar, Spain

We reply within 24 hours, Monday to Friday. Your information stays with the two partners who'll handle your case — never shared, never used for marketing.

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