Selling Property Abroad: Process & Costs

6 stages from preparation to receiving funds — and the real cost breakdown at each step.

Prepare Documents

2–3 months before listing

Energy certificate, debt-free confirmation, registry extract. In Spain — cédula de habitabilidad; in Turkey — İskan. Arrange a power of attorney if selling remotely.

Choose Agent & Valuation

2–4 weeks

Find an agent licensed to work with non-resident sellers. Agree on commission (3–6%), pricing strategy, and marketing plan. Get a professional valuation.

Marketing & Viewings

1–4 months

International portal listings, professional photography, virtual tours. Timeline varies: UAE from 2 weeks, Spain and Greece 2–5 months for average-priced property.

Preliminary Agreement

1–2 weeks

Buyer pays a deposit (5–10%). In Spain — contrato de arras; in Turkey — kaparo. Price, timeline, and withdrawal terms are locked in.

Notary & Completion

1–4 weeks

Deed signed before notary (escritura in Spain), title transfer at TAPU office (Turkey), or via escrow and DLD registration (UAE). Settlement and tax withholdings processed.

Repatriate Funds

1–3 weeks

SWIFT transfer to your home account. Use a specialist FX service to save 1–3% vs bank rates on large sums. Have source-of-funds documentation ready for compliance.

Seller Costs: What Makes Up 5–12%

📊

0–28%

CGT
(on profit)

🏠

3–6%

Agent
commission

📋

1–2%

Notary &
registration

⚖️

0.5–1.5%

Legal fees &
translations

🏛️

0–1%

Plusvalía &
local fees

Typical cost structure (excluding CGT, as % of sale price)

Agent

Notary

Legal

Certs

Other

Agent 3–6%

Notary 1–2%

Legal 0.5–1.5%

Certificates 0.1–0.3%

Other 0.2–0.5%

Total: 5–12% of sale price

The Selling Process & What It Costs