The Costa Blanca has long been a strong property market, with areas such as Dénia and Jávea continuing to attract both national and international buyers. For many homeowners, selling can be a profitable decision, particularly during periods of strong demand.

Although every sale is different, the taxes and fees can accumulate, and while sellers might expect to pay between 5-10%, at Grupo Marcos Marco, we believe that they should understand these costs from the beginning to avoid any nasty surprises.

• Costs of Selling a Property
  • Estate Agent Commission
  • Habitability Documentation
  • Community Fees Certificate
  • Legal Fees
  • Energy Performance Certificate
  • Notary and Land Registry Fees
• Taxes on Property Sales
  • Capital Gains Tax
  • Non-Residents Capital Gains Tax
  • Plusvalía Municipal
  • IBI
• Thinking of Selling Your Property

Costs of Selling a Property

Of all the costs involved, some are normally paid by the seller and others by the buyer. However, certain expenses can be negotiated as part of the sale.

Estate Agent Commission

Commission depends on the type of agency you choose, the location of the property and the level of service provided. Rates can be anywhere from three to six percent excluding IVA, although this can be as high as 10% for luxury listings.

Online agencies might offer fixed-fee services but that leaves the seller in charge of photography, organising viewings, as well as negotiating and arranging documents.

A professional estate agency does far more than advertise your property. It will usually provide:

• Professional photography and video
• Marketing on national and international property portals
• Buyer qualification
• Viewings
• Negotiation
• Sales progression
• Liaison with solicitors and notaries
• Assistance through to completion

Habitability Documentation

In order to prove that a dwelling in the Valencian Community is suitable for residential use, you need a licencia de segunda ocupación, which can be issued by a qualified architect for between 100-300€.

Community Fees Certificate

When selling a property, you have to obtain a certificate of debts from the homeowners' association, which can cost anywhere between 35€ and 75€ to issue.

It is issued by the secretary-administrator of the community within 7 days of the request, and it is need to confirm that the seller has no outstanding debt with the community.

Legal Fees

Although not mandatory, many sellers choose to appoint a solicitor, particularly if:

• They are non-residents
• The property forms part of an inheritance
• There are planning or title issues
• They cannot attend the completion in person

A solicitor can coordinate documentation, liaise with the notary and tax authorities, and help ensure the sale proceeds smoothly

Depending on your needs, you could pay fixed rates between €300 and €600 or a variable rate between 0.5% and 1% of the property value.

Energy Performance Certificate

Energy performance certificates are a legal requirement when selling a property. They can only be issued by a qualified technician registered with the regional authority.

Costs vary by region and according to the size of the property, but pricing usually falls between 45€ and 600€.

Notary and Land Registry Fees

Once the property is sold, the title deed is signed before a notary and then submitted to the Spanish Land Registry, where the change of ownership is officially recorded.

Normally, the seller pays the cost of granting the title deed, while the buyer pays for any authorised copies required after the sale, unless otherwise agreed.

Both the notary fees and Land Registry fees are regulated by statutory tariffs, meaning they are set by law. The final cost depends on factors such as the value of the property, the type of transaction and the documents required.

Taxes on Property Sales

Capital Gains Tax

After selling a property, residents will need to pay capital gains tax based on the profit made from the sale. There are five progressive bands that apply to the profit, after accounting for expenditure such as renovation costs, legal fees and estate agent fees.

€0 - €6,000	19%
€6,000 - €50,000	21%
€50,000 - €200,000	23%
€200,000 - €300,000	27%
Over €300,000	30%

Some circumstances, such as reinvesting in a new primary residence, may allow you to qualify for exemptions.

Additionally, various costs can be deducted, therefore reducing your taxable gain, provided you can present proper documentation for:

• Purchase taxes
• Notary and Land Registry fees
• Estate agency fees
• Legal fees
• Qualifying capital improvements (with supporting invoices)

Non-Residents Capital Gains Tax

Non-residents that are part of the EU or EEA pay a flat rate of 19% on capital gains, while non-EU non-residents pay a flat rate of 24%.

Buyers who purchase a property from a non-resident have to retain 3% of the purchase price to be paid to the Agencia Tributaria. The seller can then submit modelo 210 to determine how much tax needs to be paid or if a refund is necessary.

Plusvalía Municipal

If land has genuinely increased in value, the seller will have to pay plusvalía municipal; a local tax that applies to urban land and is charged by the town hall.

The amount payable varies between municipalities and depends on factors such as the cadastral value of the land and how long you have owned the property.

IBI

IBI is the annual municipal property tax and, although it is not directly related to the sale, any outstanding payments should be settled before a property can be sold.

The seller is responsible for the full year, but it's not uncommon for both parties to agree to a proportional split in the contract. IBI is typically between 0.4% and 1.1% of a property's cadastral value.

Thinking of Selling Your Property

At Grupo Marcos Marco, we believe that informed sellers make better decisions. Our experienced team can guide you through every stage of the selling process, work alongside your solicitor and tax adviser, and help you achieve the best possible result.

Whether you're selling a beachfront apartment, a country finca, a luxury villa or a traditional village house, we're here to make the process as straightforward and transparent as possible.