Quick answer
You can sell your Tenerife property without living in Spain. You need your NIE, the property documents and a signing before a Spanish notary, either in person or through someone you give a power of attorney. The buyer withholds 3% of the price for the tax agency, which you settle with a tax return after the sale.
1. Get the paperwork ready
Most delays in a sale come from documents, not buyers. Before the property goes on the market, gather:
- Your NIE (foreigner identification number) and passport.
- The title deed (escritura) and a recent nota simple from the Land Registry.
- The energy performance certificate, which is required to advertise the property.
- The last IBI (property tax) receipt and recent utility bills.
- A certificate from the community of owners showing you are up to date with fees.
Our guide to documents you need to sell explains each one.
2. Decide how you will sign
The sale is completed by signing the deed of sale before a notary. You have two options:
- Sign in person in Tenerife on completion day.
- Sign through a power of attorney (poder notarial). You grant it at a Spanish notary, at a Spanish consulate, or at a notary in your country with the Hague Apostille, and a trusted person signs for you.
A power of attorney is common and saves a trip. Make it specific to the sale so it is accepted without questions.
3. Price, market and offers
A realistic price set against recent local sales attracts serious buyers early. We value the property, prepare the listing and publish it on Idealista and other leading portals, and send it to Tenerife's top agencies. You keep one contact for every enquiry.
When a buyer is found, it is usual to sign a private reservation or deposit contract (often called contrato de arras) before the notary. Read what it says about deadlines and what happens if either side withdraws.
4. At the notary: the 3% retention
If you are not tax resident in Spain, the buyer must withhold 3% of the sale price and pay it to the Spanish tax agency on your behalf. This is a payment on account of the tax on your gain, not an extra cost. Read more in the 3% retention explained.
5. After the sale
- File the non-resident tax return for the gain. If the tax due is less than the 3% withheld, you can claim the difference back. If it is more, you pay the rest.
- The plusvalía municipal is due to the town hall. For non-resident sellers, the buyer usually pays it and deducts it from the price.
- Cancel direct debits, transfer or close utilities and tell the community of owners.
Questions owners ask us
Do I have to travel to Tenerife to sell?
No. You can sign through a power of attorney granted at a notary or Spanish consulate in your country.
Do I need a Spanish bank account?
It is not strictly required, but it makes receiving the payment and handling taxes and refunds much simpler.
How long does a sale take?
It depends on price and paperwork. With documents ready and a realistic price, the step from accepted offer to notary usually takes a few weeks.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; check your own case with a notary, lawyer or tax adviser before you sign.