Managing an inheritance in Barcelona can get complicated quickly. Whether you inherited the property alone or with family members, selling an inherited flat isn’t like a regular property sale. There’s paperwork, taxes, and legal procedures that can be overwhelming if you’re not familiar with them.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the entire process of selling an inherited property in Barcelona. We’ll cover the key requirements, legal steps, and tips to speed things up. We’ve also included a comparison table with essential documents, practical advice, and answers to the most frequently asked questions.

At ImmoBarceló, we’ve been helping people like you for over 15 years. We know every situation is different—some people are in a hurry to sell, others face issues with co-heirs, and many don’t even know where to start with the paperwork.

Here’s what we can do for you:

• We visit your flat for free and tell you how much it’s worth in today’s market

• We explain all the legal steps clearly and without jargon

• We handle the tedious paperwork so you can save time and avoid stress

If you’re in this situation, don’t stay in the dark. Call us at 608 129 079 no strings attached, just honest advice.

Key Requirements for Selling an Inherited Property in Barcelona

These are the main requirements in Catalonia when selling an inherited property:

Requirements for Selling an Inherited Property in Barcelona and Catalonia

Selling a flat in Barcelona that is inherited is not the same as selling a property you own free of encumbrances. Before putting it on the market, the property must be registered in the name of the heir or heirs at the Land Registry. To do this, the inheritance must first be accepted and the corresponding taxes settled.

Here are the key requirements:

• Death certificate of the deceased: A document issued by the Civil Registry confirming the death of the property owner.

• Certificate of last wills: Obtained from the Ministry of Justice. It indicates whether the deceased left a will.

• Will or declaration of heirs: If a will exists, it must be presented. If not, a declaration of heirs must be made before a notary.

• Deed of adjudication of inheritance: A notarial document that officially distributes the assets among the heirs.

• Payment of Inheritance and Gift Tax: Mandatory within 6 months of the date of death. An extension can be requested.

• Registration in the Land Registry: The flat must be registered in the name of the heir(s) in order to be sold legally.

• Technical certificates: Habitability certificate (mandatory in Catalonia) and energy efficiency certificate.

• Municipal capital gains tax (plusvalía municipal): Paid upon sale, but it’s advisable to get an estimate in advance.

Process for Selling an Inherited Flat in Barcelona

The process can be divided into two stages: legal regularization of the inheritance and management of the sale.

1. Legal Stage (before the sale):

• Obtain the death certificate.

• Request the certificate of last wills and the will.

• Draft the deed of acceptance of inheritance.

• Pay the Inheritance and Gift Tax.

• Register the property in the Land Registry.

2. Sale Stage:

• Obtain the certificate of habitability and the energy efficiency certificate.

• Get a professional appraisal of the property.

• List the flat for sale with a specialized real estate agency.

• Manage visits and offers from buyers.

• Sign the deposit (arras) contract.

• Sign the deed of sale before a notary.

• Settle the municipal capital gains tax (plusvalía).

At our real estate agency in Barcelona, ImmoBarceló, we support you throughout both stages so you don’t have to worry about paperwork or procedures. We take care of everything.

These are the main requirements in Catalonia when selling an inherited property:

Inheritance Tax in Catalonia varies depending on the value of the inherited property, the degree of kinship with the deceased, and whether or not exemptions apply. This tax is paid at the time of inheritance, not at the sale, but it must be settled in order to register the property in your name and proceed with the sale.

Factors influencing the tax:

• Actual value of the inherited property: The fiscal value (or market value adjusted by the Generalitat) is taken as reference.

• Kinship: Children and spouses (Groups I and II) benefit from broader exemptions.

Reductions and exemptions:

• General reduction of €100,000 per direct heir (children or spouse).

• 95% tax credit on the taxable amount if it is the main residence and the heir keeps it for 5 years (does not apply if you sell earlier).

• Exemptions of 99% for spouses and 60-80% for children (depending on pre-existing wealth brackets).

Example:

For an inherited flat in Barcelona valued at €250,000, inherited by a child with no other assets, the tax can range between €1,000 and €4,000, depending on the reductions and exemptions applied.

Tips to Speed Up the Sale of an Inherited Flat

1. Don’t wait too long: The sooner you complete the paperwork, the sooner you can put the flat up for sale.
2. Have your documents in order from the start: Having all certificates and deeds ready makes the process smoother.
3. Agreement among heirs: If there are several heirs, it’s best that everyone is on the same page from the beginning to avoid conflicts that can delay the sale.
4. Get a professional appraisal: A realistic valuation will save time and attract serious buyers.
5. Hire a specialized agency: At ImmoBarceló, we know the procedures and the local market. We take care of everything so you don’t have to.
6. Make small improvements or clean up: Sometimes, a fresh coat of paint or a thorough cleaning can increase the perceived value.

Example Case: Sale of an Inherited Flat in Barcelona’s Eixample District

Maria and her brother Joaquín inherited an 80 m² flat in the Eixample neighborhood following their mother’s passing. Although the will already named them as the sole heirs, they had to complete all the legal steps before they could sell the property.

Step-by-step process:

• Legal certificates: Obtained in less than a week (death certificate and certificate of last wills).

• Inheritance deed: Signed before a notary within a month, with a 50% split between them.

• Payment of Inheritance Tax: Completed within the legal 6-month deadline. They benefited from a kinship discount in Catalonia, which significantly reduced the amount.

• Registration at the Property Registry: Process handled by a management agency in about 15 days.

• Technical certificates: They ordered the habitability certificate and energy performance certificate through their real estate agency.

• Sale of the flat: ImmoBarceló took care of the appraisal, photos, and marketing. They received a solid offer in 3 weeks. The signing of the purchase deed before the notary took place less than 2 months after the listing was published.

• Payment of municipal capital gains tax: Paid by the buyer, as agreed in the deposit contract.

Result:

In less than 5 months from the death, María and Joaquín had sold the flat, divided the profits, and completed all the formalities without complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you need to do to sell an inherited flat in Catalonia?

To sell an inherited flat in Catalonia, you first need to accept the inheritance before a notary and pay the Inheritance Tax. Then, you must register the property in your name at the Property Registry. Finally, you can put it up for sale at a price in line with the current market. If you need help with the paperwork, at ImmoBarceló we offer free advice without any obligation.

How long do I have to wait to sell an inherited flat?

The time you must wait to sell an inherited flat mainly depends on three factors. First, the legal procedures such as accepting the inheritance and paying the Inheritance Tax usually take between two and four months. Second, if there are multiple heirs and no agreement, the process can be much longer—even years—until resolved in court. Third, once everything is ready, the sale itself can take from a few weeks to several months, depending on the price, location, and condition of the property.

How much is the municipal capital gains tax (plusvalía) on inheriting a flat in Barcelona?

The municipal capital gains tax for inheriting a flat in Barcelona is calculated based on the cadastral value of the land (not the total property value) and depends on two key factors: the number of years since the last transfer and the percentage rate applied by the City Council.

The calculation follows this basic scheme: take the cadastral value of the land, apply an annual cumulative increase (between 2% and 3.5%, depending on the area) for each year since the last transfer, and then apply the current tax rate (between 20% and 30%) to that result.

What happens if the flat is inherited by several siblings?

All of them must agree to sell. If there is no consensus, it may be necessary to seek a partition of the co-ownership or even a judicial auction.