Documents needed to sell a property in Barcelona

To sell a home in Catalonia, you need to gather around ten documents. Most can be obtained in a few days, but some, such as the cédula de habitabilidad or the building inspection certificate, can take several weeks. It is best to request them before the property goes on the market, so as not to delay the signing.

What the notary will require

• Your title deed (escritura): the deed of purchase, inheritance or gift.
• Identification: DNI for a Spanish national, NIE and passport for a foreigner.
• A valid cédula de habitabilidad (certificate of occupancy). In Catalonia, the notary requires it for every sale of a home, including resales. It is valid for 15 years for an existing home. The buyer can only waive it in specific cases, for example if they plan a full renovation.
• The energy performance certificate. It is required from the moment the property is marketed, as the energy label must appear in listings. It is valid for 10 years.
• The building's certificate of fitness, if the building is over 45 years old and must undergo the technical inspection (ITE). The seller gives the buyer a copy; the buyer may waive it for a justified reason.
• The asbestos certificate, for properties built before 2002. Catalan Law 8/2026 has required it since 3 October 2026. An architect or engineer issues it after a visual inspection. The presence of asbestos does not prevent the sale, but without the certificate the seller risks a fine and registration of the sale may be blocked.
• Your marital status. If the home is the family residence, the spouse must generally consent to the sale, even if they are not an owner.

What the buyer and their bank will ask for

• The owners' association certificate, confirming that service charges are paid up. The buyer may waive it, but almost always asks for it.
• The latest IBI receipt (property tax), to check it is paid and to see the cadastral value.
• The nota simple from the Land Registry, showing the owner, the registered floor area and any charges, such as a mortgage. The notary checks it before the signing.
• If the property is mortgaged, the bank's statement of the outstanding balance, so the loan can be repaid on the day of the sale.

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What helps the sale

Floor plans, invoices for major works, the owners' association statutes, the minutes of meetings and the accounts for the last three years, with details of approved special levies. The buyer and their lawyer almost always ask for them. Having them ready before the first viewing saves weeks, and a well-informed buyer negotiates less.

What delays a sale

• An actual floor area different from the one registered at the Land Registry or the Cadastre.
• Undeclared works, such as an enclosed terrace or an added room.
• An expired cédula de habitabilidad, or one that cannot be obtained in the current condition.
• Special levies approved by the owners' association and not yet paid.

These issues can almost always be resolved, but they take time. I check them with you before the property goes on the market.