Free tool · Planning
Plan your sale, step by step.
See in which order to arrange what: from documents and photos to the notary and the tax return afterwards. Enter how many weeks you expect for each step and the planner puts it on dates. Add it to your calendar or print it.
- You set the time per step
- Calendar file (.ics)
- Printable
With your weeks, the start is already behind you. Choose a later handover date or shorter steps.
The planner only uses the weeks and the date you enter. They are not legal deadlines.
No weeks entered yet: below you see the order of the steps. Enter your own estimate per step to get dates.
02 — Step by step
What to arrange at each step
General steps, plus what we have checked in official sources for the chosen country. Always have your own situation checked by a notary or adviser.
Choose a country to see the points we have checked in official sources for that country.
We have not yet checked the country rules for Greece for this planner. The steps below are general. Read the guide to selling in Greece
We have not yet checked the country rules for the Netherlands for this planner. The steps below are general. Read the guide to selling in the Netherlands
We have not yet checked the country rules for Belgium for this planner. The steps below are general. Read the guide to selling in Belgium
We have not yet checked the country rules for Germany for this planner. The steps below are general. Read the guide to selling in Germany
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When:
Gather your documents
Title deed, ID and tax number, energy certificate, papers from the community of owners, and the latest tax bills and utility bills. Which documents are required differs per country. See the checklist.
Spain
- Energy certificate and label: when you sell an existing home, a copy of the registered certificate and label goes with the contract. It is valid for up to 10 years, or up to 5 years with label G. The decree was amended in 2025, so check the current rules with your certifier. Source: BOE, RD 390/2021
- In a community of owners, the buyer becomes liable for certain unpaid community fees of earlier owners. Get proof from the community that nothing is outstanding. Source: BOE, Ley de Propiedad Horizontal art. 9
Portugal
- An energy certificate (SCE) is mandatory for a sale. Source: Diário da República, DL 101-D/2020
- For the deed, Casa Pronta lists the ID and tax number (NIF) of buyer and seller, the ficha técnica da habitação (if there is one), the energy certificate and a reference to the licence of use. Source: Justiça, Casa Pronta
Italy
- The notaries’ checklist for sellers: ID, codice fiscale, marital status, the deed by which you acquired the home, cadastral plans, building permits and proof of habitability (agibilità), condominium rules with a statement from the administrator that fees are paid, and the APE energy certificate. Source: Notariato
- Cadastral conformity: you declare that the cadastral data and plan match the actual state of the home, or a qualified technician declares it. Without that declaration the deed is void. Source: Notariato, studio 9-2018/C
France
- Technical diagnostics file (DDT), attached to the preliminary contract or the deed: the energy diagnosis (DPE) and, depending on the home, lead (built before 1949), asbestos (permit before July 1997), electricity and gas (installations over 15 years old), termites, drainage and the risk statement (ERP). Apartments also need the Carrez floor area; houses rated E, F or G an energy audit. Source: Service-Public.fr
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When:
Photos and listing text
Tidy the rooms, photograph in daylight and measure the rooms. Write the listing in the local language and in English. Use the listing text builder.
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When:
Listing online
Put the home on the portals that buyers in that country use. Decide how and when you answer enquiries.
Portugal
- The energy class must be shown in every advertisement. Source: SCE / ADENE
- Holiday letting (Alojamento Local): since 1 November 2024 the registration number stays with the property when it is sold. In containment areas the municipality may limit this. Source: DL 76/2024
Italy
- The APE energy certificate is required for a sale and in advertisements. It is valid for 10 years. Source: ENEA
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When:
Viewings and offers
Set fixed times for viewings, keep a list of interested buyers and have every offer put in writing. If you live far away, arrange someone local who can open the door.
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When:
Preliminary contract
Put the price, handover date, any deposit and the conditions in writing. Have the draft checked by an independent lawyer or notary before you sign.
Italy
- If you sign a preliminary contract (preliminare) and it is registered, registration tax is due on the deposit and advance payments. It is offset later. Source: Notariato
France
- The preliminary contract (compromis or promesse de vente) is not compulsory but is usual. After it is signed, the buyer has a 10-day cooling-off period. Source: Service-Public.fr
- If the risk statement (ERP) has not been supplied by then, the cooling-off period only starts the day after it is delivered. Source: Service-Public.fr
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When:
Notary and deed
The transfer is signed at the notary. If you cannot be there, ask whether you can sign with a power of attorney. Arrange meter readings, keys and paying off any mortgage.
Spain
- The notary executes the public deed (escritura pública). Unless you agree otherwise, the seller pays for drawing up the deed and the buyer for the first copy and later costs. Source: BOE, Código Civil art. 1455
- If you are not tax resident in Spain, the buyer withholds part of the price as an advance on your tax and pays it with modelo 211 within one month. You get a copy for your own return. Source: Agencia Tributaria
Portugal
- The deed can be done through Casa Pronta: purchase and registration at one desk. Source: Justiça, Casa Pronta
Italy
- The notary reads the whole deed aloud before it is signed. Afterwards the notary registers it with the tax office, has it entered in the public registers and updates the land registry. Source: Notariato
France
- The notary draws up the deed and calculates and collects the tax on the gain (form 2048-IMM-SD). Source: Service-Public.fr
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When:
After the sale: tax return
Declare the sale in the country where the home is, and check what your own country of residence asks. Keep all receipts and the deed.
Spain
- Non-residents declare the gain with modelo 210, within 3 months after the one-month period that starts on the sale date. By our count that is up to . Source: Agencia Tributaria
- IBI (property tax) is owed by whoever owns the home on 1 January. Sharing it with the buyer is a private agreement. Source: BOE, TRLRHL art. 75
Portugal
- Declare the gain in your IRS return (Modelo 3), filed online from 1 April to 30 June of the year after the sale: to . Source: Portal das Finanças, CIRS art. 60
- Non-residents appoint a tax representative in Portugal, unless they sign up for electronic notifications or the electronic mailbox. Source: Portal das Finanças, LGT art. 19
- IMI for the whole year is owed by whoever owns the home on 31 December. Source: Portal das Finanças, CIMI art. 8
Italy
- A gain is taxable if you sell within 5 years of buying, unless you inherited the home or it was your main residence for most of that time. You can ask the notary to calculate and pay this tax at the deed. Source: Agenzia delle Entrate, circolare 13/E
France
- Sellers who live outside the EU/EEA generally need an accredited tax representative. There are exemptions. Source: BOFiP
- Taxe foncière is owed for the whole year by whoever owns the home on 1 January. Sharing it with the buyer in the deed is a private agreement. Source: impots.gouv.fr
Read the guide to selling in Spain Read the guide to selling in Portugal Read the guide to selling in Italy Read the guide to selling in France Read the guide to selling in Greece Read the guide to selling in the Netherlands Read the guide to selling in Belgium Read the guide to selling in Germany
Help with your sale
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