Selling Property in Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca real estate FAQ – To complete a sale at the Notary, you legally require the Title Deed (Escritura), a recent Nota Simple, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), and the Habitation Certificate (Cédula de Habitabilidad). Additionally, you must provide the latest receipts for the IBI (Property Tax) and community fees to prove the property is debt-free.
As a seller, you are responsible for two main taxes: Plusvalía (a municipal tax on the increase in land value) and Capital Gains Tax. If you are a non-resident, the buyer will also withhold 3% of the purchase price to pay directly to the Spanish Tax Agency on your behalf as a guarantee.
In the current current year market, well-priced properties in high-demand areas like Altea, Moraira, and Calpe sell within 3 to 6 months. Overpricing is the #1 reason for delays; we recommend a professional valuation to align with current market trends.
No. Many of our international clients grant Power of Attorney (Escritura de Poder) to their lawyer. This allows the legal sale to be finalized at the Notary without you needing to fly to Spain for the signing. Costa Blanca real estate FAQ
Yes. Once the Contrato de Arras (Deposit Contract) is signed and a 10% deposit is paid, the agreement is legally binding. If the seller withdraws, they usually must pay back double the deposit amount to the buyer.
Renting Out Your Property in Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca real estate FAQ – Yes. To rent your property to tourists (stays shorter than 31 days), you must obtain a Tourist License (Registro de Turismo). Since April 2025, new regulations also require express approval from your Community of Owners (VvE) before a license can be issued or used.
Short-term rentals are for tourism and require a license. Long-term rentals (Habitual Residence) are governed by the LAU (Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos), which in %currentyear% grants tenants the right to stay for up to 5 years (or 7 if the landlord is a company), even if the contract is signed for 1 year.
For EU/EEA residents, the tax rate is 19% on net income (after deducting expenses like mortgage interest and repairs). For Non-EU residents (including UK and USA), the rate is 24%, and generally, expenses cannot be deducted.
Yes. Under the latest Horizontal Property Law updates, a community of owners can vote to prohibit holiday rentals in the building with a 3/5 majority. They can also increase your community fees by up to 20% if you use the property for tourism.
For long-term rentals, we strongly recommend taking out Rent Default Insurance (Seguro de Impago). This insurance vets the tenant’s financial history and covers your lost rent and legal costs if the tenant stops paying.
Costa Blanca real estate FAQ
Verified Resources for Sellers & Landlords
Navigating the Spanish property market requires access to official data. We recommend all our clients verify property status and current legal requirements through these official channels to ensure a secure transaction:
Property Verification: Always request a Nota Simple via the Spanish Association of Registrars to verify ownership, boundaries, and any existing debts or mortgages on a property.
Rental Compliance: From July 2025, all short-term rentals must be registered on the new National Register for Short-Term Rentals (VUD) to remain visible on major booking platforms.
Tax & Value Reference: For an estimate of purchase taxes, check the “Reference Value” (Valor de Referencia) on the Spanish Cadastral (Catastro) Website.
Selling Strategy: If you are preparing to list your home, consult our Seller’s Guide for a checklist of mandatory documents and marketing tips.
Investment Insights: Interested in high-yield areas? See our latest Costa Blanca Area Guides to compare rental returns between the North and South coastal regions.
Costa Blanca real estate FAQ – All rights reserved!