How to Sell Property Abroad — Guide

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Selling international real estate involves more than finding a buyer. Between capital gains taxes in the country where the property is located, potential tax obligations in your home country, agent commissions, and cross-border fund transfers, the true cost of selling can easily reach 10–15% of the sale price — or more, if you get the tax planning wrong.

This guide is a practical roadmap for property owners looking to sell overseas real estate efficiently. We cover capital gains tax rates across seven popular jurisdictions, the step-by-step transaction process, and the most common mistakes that cost sellers thousands.

Before you list, ask yourself: does selling make sense right now? If the property generates strong rental yield and you don’t need the capital, holding may be the better move. But if the market is peaking, your circumstances have changed, or maintenance costs are eating into returns — it’s time to act.

1. When to Sell: Market Cycles and Tax Timing

Two factors determine whether the timing is right: the state of the local market and the tax consequences of selling now versus later.

Market cycles. Property markets in Spain, Greece, Turkey, the UAE, and beyond move in cycles. Selling at the peak sounds obvious, but peaks are only visible in hindsight. Focus on measurable signals: is average time-on-market shrinking? Are comparable properties selling above asking price? If the answer is yes, the market is likely in an active phase.

Tax incentives tied to holding period. Several countries reduce or eliminate capital gains tax based on how long you’ve owned the property. In Turkey, holding for more than five years eliminates CGT entirely [source: PwC Tax Summaries, Turkey]. In Greece, CGT on individual property sales has been suspended through 31 December 2026 [source: RSM Greece]. In the UK, principal private residence relief exempts your main home regardless of holding period — but this doesn’t help with overseas second homes [source: HMRC].

The takeaway: before listing, check whether a tax exemption threshold is approaching. Waiting a few months could save you tens of thousands.

2. Taxes on Sale (the Critical Section)

Tax is the single largest cost when selling overseas property. It typically operates on two levels: the tax in the country where the property is located, and the tax in your home country.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) by Country

CGT is charged on the difference between your purchase price and your sale price, minus allowable costs (renovation, legal fees, agent commissions).

Spain. Non-residents pay a flat 19% CGT on the gain [source: PwC Tax Summaries, Spain — IRNR]. For tax residents, rates are progressive: 19% on the first €6,000, rising to 21%, 23%, 27%, and 28% on gains above €300,000 [source: PwC Tax Summaries, Spain — Individual]. The buyer must withhold 3% of the sale price and remit it to the Spanish Tax Agency as an advance on the seller’s CGT liability. In addition, Spain levies a municipal plusvalía tax — a local charge on the increase in land value during ownership. Since 2021, sellers can choose between two calculation methods (the “real” method based on actual price difference, or the “objective” method based on cadastral value) and apply whichever produces the lower amount.

Turkey. If the property has been held for less than five years, the gain is taxed at progressive income tax rates of 15–40%. After five years, CGT is fully exempt [source: PwC Tax Summaries, Turkey]. For sales within the five-year window, a tax-free allowance of 150,000 TL applies for 2026 (up from 120,000 TL in 2025) [source: Muhasebe News].

UAE. There is no capital gains tax for individuals. The UAE does not levy personal income tax, making it one of the most tax-efficient jurisdictions for realising property gains [source: PwC Tax Summaries, UAE].

Greece. The standard CGT rate for property is 15%, but its application to individual sellers has been suspended since 2014 and remains suspended through 31 December 2026 [source: RSM Greece]. Effectively, property sold by individuals in 2025–2026 incurs zero CGT.

Cyprus. CGT is levied at 20% on the gain from Cypriot real estate. A lifetime deduction of €17,086 is available for standard sales, increasing to €85,430 when selling a primary residence (minimum five years’ occupancy) [source: PwC Tax Summaries, Cyprus].

Home Country Tax Obligations

Selling abroad doesn’t end your tax liability at home. Here’s how the two largest English-speaking jurisdictions handle it:

United Kingdom. UK tax residents must report worldwide capital gains. If you sell a foreign property at a profit, the gain is subject to CGT at 18% (basic-rate taxpayers) or 24% (higher-rate taxpayers), after deducting the annual exempt amount of £3,000 (2025/26) [source: HMRC CGT rates 2025/26]. A foreign tax credit is available: CGT paid in the country of the property can be offset against your UK liability under the relevant Double Taxation Agreement (DTA), so you only pay the difference if the UK rate is higher.

United States. US citizens and residents are taxed on worldwide income. Long-term capital gains (held over one year) are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on taxable income [source: IRS]. A Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) allows you to offset foreign CGT against your US liability dollar-for-dollar. The primary residence exclusion under Section 121 may apply (up to $250,000 single / $500,000 married), provided you meet the ownership and use tests. Note: if you are a non-US person selling US property, FIRPTA requires the buyer to withhold 15% of the gross sale price [source: IRS FIRPTA].

Double Taxation Agreements (DTAs)

Most countries have bilateral tax treaties that prevent the same gain from being taxed twice. The general principle: tax is paid first in the country where the property is located, then your home country allows a credit for the amount already paid. However, treaty benefits are not automatic — you must claim them by filing the appropriate forms and providing proof of foreign tax paid.

Summary Table: CGT on Property Sale by Country

Sources: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries (taxsummaries.pwc.com), HMRC, IRS.

📌 For a detailed breakdown of Spanish property sale taxes, see our Spain selling guide.

3. Choosing an Agent

The right agent accelerates the sale and protects you from legal pitfalls. Here’s what to look for:

Licensing and legal standing. In Spain, check for registration; in Turkey, confirm a TURSAB licence or equivalent. In Greece, estate agents are regulated by national law. Ask for proof before signing any agreement.

Experience with non-resident sellers. Selling on behalf of a foreign owner involves knowledge of the seller’s tax status, withholding procedures (e.g., the 3% retención in Spain), and power-of-attorney requirements. An agent without this experience may cost you time and money.

Commission. Standard seller commissions range from 3–6% depending on the country and region. Turkey typically runs 2–4%, Spain 3–5%, Greece 2–5%. Commission is usually paid by the seller, but terms are negotiable.

International marketing. Make sure the agent lists on international portals, not just local ones. Reaching buyers from multiple countries significantly increases your pool of potential offers.

4. Preparing Your Property and Documents

Incomplete paperwork is one of the most common reasons deals fall through. Start gathering documents at least 2–3 months before you plan to list.

Spain: Energy Performance Certificate (certificado de eficiencia energética) — mandatory for any sale; certificate of no outstanding community debts; cédula de habitabilidad (habitability certificate, required in some regions); nota simple from the property registry; recent IBI (municipal tax) receipts.

Turkey: TAPU (title deed); İskan (building use permit); certificate of no encumbrances; seller’s passport with notarised translation.

Greece: Cadastral extract; ENFIA certificate (confirming annual property tax is paid); Energy Performance Certificate; check for encumbrances in the mortgage registry.

UAE: Title Deed; NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the developer; proof of service charge payments.

In all countries, non-resident sellers will typically need a power of attorney, notarised and apostilled, to allow a representative to act on their behalf.

5. The Transaction Process

Despite differences in local law, most international property transactions follow a similar pattern.

Preliminary agreement. The buyer pays a deposit (typically 5–10% of the price). In Spain, this is the contrato de arras; in Turkey, the kaparo. Terms, price, and timelines are locked in. If the buyer withdraws, the seller usually keeps the deposit; if the seller withdraws, the deposit is returned in double (Spain).

Due diligence and preparation. Between the preliminary and final agreements, both sides verify documents, the buyer arranges financing, and the notary prepares the deed of sale.

Notarial signing. The notary authenticates the transaction. In Spain, this is the escritura pública; in Turkey, the transfer happens directly at the TAPU (Land Registry) office; in the UAE, through an escrow account and registration with DLD (Dubai Land Department) or the relevant authority.

Title registration. The notary or authorised representative submits documents to the property registry. Timelines vary: Spain takes a few days to a few weeks, Turkey often completes on the same day, Greece can take several months.

6. Repatriating Funds

Once the sale is complete, you need to get the money home — and this is where things can get complicated.

Standard route. Sale proceeds are deposited into the seller’s bank account in the country of the property. You then arrange an international SWIFT transfer to your home-country account. The originating bank will likely request proof of the source of funds: the sale contract, tax declaration, and property registry confirmation.

Currency conversion. Bank exchange rates often include a significant margin. Specialist FX services (e.g., Wise, OFX, or private banking FX desks) can save 1–3% compared to standard bank rates on large transfers. On a €500,000 transaction, that’s €5,000–15,000.

Compliance considerations. Anti-money laundering (AML) regulations mean banks will scrutinise large incoming transfers. Prepare a paper trail before you initiate the transfer: sale contract, proof of original purchase, tax receipts. In some jurisdictions, you may also need to notify your tax authority about the foreign account where proceeds are held.

Planning ahead. Open a bank account in the country of the property (or in a neutral jurisdiction) well before the sale. Transferring funds is far smoother when accounts are already established and verified.

FAQ

How much does it cost to sell overseas property?

Total seller costs typically range from 5–12% of the sale price. This includes: CGT (varies by country), agent commission (3–6%), notary and registration fees (1–2%), legal costs and translations (0.5–1.5%), and municipal taxes (0–1%). The exact figure depends on the country, your holding period, and the size of your gain.

Can I sell remotely?

Yes. In most countries, the transaction can be completed via power of attorney (POA). The POA is notarised in your country of residence, apostilled, and translated into the language of the country where the property is located. Your representative signs documents and appears before the notary on your behalf. Some steps, however — such as obtaining an Energy Performance Certificate — may require physical access to the property.

How do I avoid double taxation?

Use the Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) between your home country and the country where the property is located. Tax paid abroad is typically credited against your domestic tax liability. To claim the credit, you’ll need official proof of the foreign tax paid. In the UK, this is done via your Self Assessment return; in the US, via Form 1116 (Foreign Tax Credit).

How long does a sale take?

Average timelines from listing to receiving funds: Spain 3–6 months, Turkey 1–3 months, Greece 3–6 months, UAE 1–2 months. These depend heavily on pricing, market conditions, and document readiness. Well-priced properties in active locations sell significantly faster.

Conclusion

Selling property abroad is, first and foremost, a tax planning exercise. Check holding-period exemptions, calculate CGT in both the property’s country and your home country, confirm the status of your DTA, and prepare your documents well in advance. Mistakes at any stage can cost more than professional advice.

If you’re planning to sell overseas property and want a personalised assessment of the tax implications — book a consultation. VirtoProperty’s specialists can guide you from document preparation to fund repatriation.

Read also:

• Investing in International Real Estate — where to invest and what to expect
• Where to Buy Property Abroad — destination overview
• Guide to Selling Property in Spain — detailed tax and cost breakdown

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Tax laws change — consult a qualified professional before making decisions. Rates current as of April 2026.