Buying & selling · · 6 min read
Selling your Madrid flat from abroad: power of attorney, keys and viewings
You don’t have to move to Madrid for three months to sell a flat. This is how a sale works when the owner lives in London, Berlin or Dubai, and the decisions you need to make early.
Most of the work of selling a home happens in the property itself: photos, viewings, measurements. None of it needs the owner to be there. What you need is someone you trust on the ground, the documents in order and a plan for the signing.
Keys and access
Leave a set of keys with the team that sells the property, or with a neighbour or relative who can open the door. Agree in writing who can enter and when. If the flat is rented or occupied, plan the viewings with the occupant.
Documents to gather early
- Your passport and NIE.
- The deed of purchase, or of inheritance.
- The last IBI (property tax) receipt and the community fees certificate.
- The energy performance certificate, or a technician to issue it.
- The land registry extract (nota simple), which can be requested online.
Signing: in person or by power of attorney
You can fly in for the signing. If you prefer not to, you can grant a power of attorney (poder notarial) to someone you trust: before a notary in your country, with an apostille, or at a Spanish consulate. The power must clearly allow selling that specific property and, ideally, receiving the price. Your lawyer will tell you what wording the Spanish notary needs.
Receiving the money
At the notary, the buyer pays by bank transfer or banker’s draft, minus the 3% withholding if you are a non-resident. Having a Spanish bank account makes things easier, although transfers abroad are possible.
Staying informed from far away
Ask for written updates after every viewing and every offer. With Llavely you see it all in your private portal, with our opinion on each visit and a weekly summary.
Frequently asked questions
Can the person with power of attorney accept offers for me?
Only if the power says so. Many sellers prefer to approve the offer themselves and use the power only for the signing.
What if the flat is rented?
You can sell it with the tenant in place; the tenant has a preferential right to buy in some cases. Check the lease with your lawyer first.