Selling Property in Marbella (2026): Costs, Taxes and How It Works

Short answer: when you sell a property in Marbella you pay the agency commission, the municipal plusvalía tax and, if you made a profit, capital gains tax: 19% for non-residents, and between 19% and 30% for Spanish tax residents. If you are not resident in Spain, the buyer withholds 3% of the price at the notary as a payment on account of that tax. This guide explains every cost, the documents you need and how a sale works, with the rules in force in 2026.

What does it cost to sell a property in Marbella?

Capital gains tax when selling property in Spain

The taxable gain is the sale price minus the purchase price, minus the costs of buying and selling (taxes, notary, registry, lawyer, agency) and the cost of documented improvements.

• Non-residents pay a flat 19% on the gain.
• Spanish tax residents pay on the savings scale: 19% on the first €6,000, 21% up to €50,000, 23% up to €200,000, 27% up to €300,000 and 30% above that.
• Residents may be exempt if they reinvest the proceeds of their main home in a new main home, or if they are over 65 and sell their main home.

The 3% retention for non-resident sellers

If you are not resident in Spain, the buyer must keep back 3% of the price and pay it to the tax office. You then file form 210 within four months: if the 3% was more than your capital gains tax, you claim the difference back; if it was less, you pay the rest. Your lawyer or tax adviser normally handles this.

Documents you need to sell

• Title deed (escritura) and a recent extract from the Land Registry (nota simple).
• Last IBI (property tax) receipt and the cadastral reference.
• Certificate from the community of owners that fees are paid up to date.
• Energy performance certificate.
• Licence of first occupation, or an AFO certificate if part of the property was built without a licence.
• Passport or ID and NIE, and the latest utility bills.

How a sale works, step by step

1. Valuation and asking price

The asking price decides almost everything that follows. Our monthly market report shows the median asking price per m² in each area; we then adjust for the specific home: views, orientation, condition, the development and what has actually sold nearby. Request a free valuation.

2. Preparing and presenting the home

Professional photography, video and floor plans, a clear description in several languages, small repairs and decluttering. Most buyers on the Costa del Sol first see a home on a phone screen, often from abroad.

3. Marketing

Your home is shared with partner agencies across the Costa del Sol through the Resales Online network, published on the main property portals and presented directly to the buyers we are already working with.

4. Offers and negotiation

We qualify every buyer (funds, mortgage, timing) before you consider an offer, and negotiate price and conditions on your behalf.

5. Reservation and private contract

Once you accept an offer, the buyer pays a reservation deposit and, after their lawyer’s checks, signs a private purchase contract with a deposit of around 10%. If the buyer withdraws they lose that deposit; if you withdraw you must return it doubled.

6. Completion at the notary

You sign the deed before a notary, receive the balance (minus the 3% retention if you are non-resident) and hand over the keys. Remember to transfer or cancel utilities and community bank debits, and to pay the plusvalía within 30 working days.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay tax if I sell at a loss?

There is no capital gains tax if there is no gain. Plusvalía municipal is not due either if the land did not increase in value, but you must be able to prove it with the purchase and sale deeds.

Can I sell my Marbella property from abroad?

Yes. You can sign everything through a lawyer with a notarised power of attorney, granted at a Spanish notary or a Spanish consulate abroad.

Exclusive or several agencies?

Listing with several agencies often means the same home appears at different prices and with different photos, which buyers notice. An exclusive agreement with an agent who shares the home with other agencies through the Resales network gives you one consistent presentation and the widest reach.

How long does it take to sell?

It depends above all on the price relative to the market. Well-priced homes in areas with demand usually receive serious interest within the first weeks; homes priced above the market can stay listed for many months.

Selling with Airus Homes

Airus Homes is an independent agency based in Marbella. We value your home, prepare and market it, qualify buyers, negotiate and coordinate with lawyers and notaries until completion. See how we sell or talk to us.

This guide is general information, updated October 2026, and not legal or tax advice. Your lawyer and tax adviser will confirm what applies to your sale.