Thinking of Selling Your Property in Spain? Here’s What You Should Prepare

If you’ve decided to sell your property in Spain, even before finding a buyer, it’s crucial to have all your documentation ready. This not only makes the sale faster and easier, but it can also increase the value of your property.

Below we explain the essential documents and steps you should take to ensure your sale goes smoothly and complies with all legal requirements.

1. Energy Efficiency Certificate

Due to EU regulations, sellers must provide buyers with an Energy Efficiency Certificate. It’s a simple process, but obtaining it early prevents delays later.

This document certifies your property’s energy performance and is a legal requirement for any property sale in Spain.

2. Certificate of Habitability (Cédula de Habitabilidad)

Although not always mandatory, this document is highly recommended, as many buyers ask for it — and it will soon become compulsory under the upcoming Balearic Housing Law.

It will also be essential for requesting a tourist rental licence. If there is no previous certificate, the process can take time, so we recommend starting early with your Town Hall application.

3. Utility Bills and Licences

Gather recent bills for water, electricity, and gas, as buyers will need them to transfer the contracts.

If your property has a water well, keep the corresponding licence on hand. These small details make a big difference during the sale process.

4. Non-Infringement Planning Certificates

Before selling, it’s advisable to request a certificate of no open planning infringements from both your Town Hall and the Consell Insular.

These certificates confirm that no urban planning proceedings are pending against your property and will also be necessary if you plan to apply for a holiday rental licence.

Processing times vary by municipality, so it’s best to apply as early as possible.

5. Consistency Between Registry and Reality

Ensure that the Land Registry, Cadastral Registry, and physical property all match.

This is particularly important if the buyer will request a mortgage, as banks require that all constructions are properly registered. Having a geographic ground plan (survey with coordinates) ready will save valuable time later.

6. Building Licences and Technical Documentation

Keep the following documents ready:

• Original and copies of all building permits.
• Certificates of completion issued by the architect and the Town Hall.
• Approved plans, blueprints, and final projects.
• If possible, a technical report from an architect describing surfaces and the building’s condition.

We also recommend keeping an aerial photo showing the age of your buildings, obtainable through public websites like IDEIB or private services such as ESTOP.

7. Land Registry Information

Request an updated nota simple (Land Registry extract) to confirm ownership, property description, and any existing charges.

If available, include a copy of the original deed (purchase, inheritance, or donation). Typical charges may include:

• Mortgages
• Seizures or preventive notes
• Easements
• Community agreements or covenants

All of these should be reviewed to determine if they can be cancelled before the sale.

8. Local Tax Receipts (IBI)

Provide the IBI property tax receipts for the last four years, as these confirm that all municipal taxes have been paid. This is a standard request from both notaries and buyers.

9. Special Cases

In some circumstances, additional documents may be required:

• Military Permit: For buyers from non-EU countries purchasing rural properties.
• Coastal Certificate: If the property borders the protected coastal zone.

These can take several months to process, so factor this into your sale timeline.

Final Advice

Selling a property in Spain involves more than signing a contract — it’s a process that requires legal clarity, documentation, and professional guidance.

At Frau Legal, we are specialists in property sales and real estate law in Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca. We handle every stage — from document review to notarial coordination — ensuring your sale is completed securely, efficiently, and without surprises.

👉 Contact us today for personalised legal advice before listing your property or once you have a potential buyer.