Guide for owners · Selling
Documents needed to sell a home in Catalonia
To sell you need the title deed, a nota simple, the IBI receipt, the energy certificate and, in Catalonia, the habitability certificate (cédula de habitabilidad). The energy certificate is required to advertise the property; the cédula, to sign at the notary.
Maria Mondragon
Founder, Villas Mondragón · Updated 30 October 2026
- Before advertising: energy performance certificate.
- Before signing: valid cédula de habitabilidad, community certificate and mortgage debt certificate.
- Check that the deed and the nota simple match (owners, surface area, charges).
- Taxes on the sale are covered in our tax guide.
- A gestor or lawyer should confirm your specific case.
The documents at a glance
| Document | What it is for | Issued by | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title deed (escritura) | Proves you own the property and how you acquired it | Notary | Does not expire |
| Nota simple | Shows owner, description and charges (mortgage, attachments) | Land Registry | Best if recent (about 3 months) |
| IBI receipt | Identifies the cadastral reference and shows the tax is paid | Town hall | Latest year |
| Energy performance certificate | Required to advertise and sell | Qualified technician, registered with the Generalitat | 10 years (5 if rated G) |
| Habitability certificate (cédula) | Shows the home meets minimum habitability standards | Generalitat de Catalunya | 15 or 25 years, depending on the case |
| Community certificate | Confirms there are no debts to the owners’ association | Building administrator | Requested at signing |
| Mortgage debt certificate | States the outstanding amount to cancel the mortgage | Bank | Requested at signing |
The habitability certificate (cédula)
In Catalonia, the cédula de habitabilidad certifies that a home meets the minimum conditions to be lived in. It is regulated by Decree 141/2012. The seller is generally required to provide it when transferring a home, except for the exceptions set out in the decree itself (article 10).
If you do not have one, or it has expired, a qualified technician must issue the certificate and it is processed with the Generalitat. Allow time: it is not a one-day procedure.
The energy performance certificate
Regulated by Royal Decree 390/2021, it is required to sell or rent, and the energy label must appear in any advertisement. A qualified technician issues it and it is registered with the Generalitat. It is generally valid for 10 years.
Advertising without a certificate can lead to fines, which the regulations place between €300 and €6,000.
What to check in the deed, nota simple and IBI
- Owners: names and ownership regime match in the deed and the registry.
- Surface and description: differences with the cadastre delay the signing.
- Charges: mortgages or attachments that must be cancelled at the sale.
- IBI: receipt paid and correct cadastral reference.
Taxes on the sale
Selling triggers taxes, including the municipal capital gains tax (plusvalía) and income tax on the gain. We explain them in our tax guide. For an idea of what your home is worth, use the free valuation.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions when selling
What documents do I need to sell my home in Catalonia?
Title deed, nota simple, IBI receipt, energy performance certificate, cédula de habitabilidad, community certificate and, if there is a mortgage, a mortgage debt certificate.
Can I advertise my home without an energy certificate?
No. The energy performance certificate is required to advertise the property and the label must appear in the ad.
How long is the energy certificate valid?
Generally 10 years. If the rating is G, 5 years.
Is the cédula de habitabilidad mandatory to sell?
In Catalonia it is required to formalise the transfer, except for the exceptions in Decree 141/2012. Confirm with your gestor or notary.
What is a nota simple and where do I request it?
It is an information extract from the Land Registry showing the owner, the property description and charges. You request it at the Registry or through a gestor.
Can I sell if I still have a mortgage?
Yes. It is cancelled with part of the price at signing; the bank issues a debt certificate with the outstanding amount.
Sources
- Decree 141/2012, minimum habitability conditions (Generalitat de Catalunya)
- Royal Decree 390/2021, energy certification (MITECO)
- Certicalia, what is the cédula de habitabilidad
What your gestor or lawyer must confirm
- Whether your home needs a new cédula or falls under an exception.
- The validity of each document on the signing date.
- Taxes that apply to your personal situation.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
Before listing
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