Selling property from abroad — my checklist
From the power of attorney to receipt of the purchase price — what must be done and when
This checklist takes you through all four phases of a remote sale. Tick off each step once it is done.
The most important point first: Without a notarised power of attorney, no purchase contract can be concluded. Every other step builds on this one document. Take care of it first.
Phase 1
Before moving away · 4–8 wks
Phase 2
Marketing · 6–12 wks
Phase 3
Notary appointment · 3–6 wks
Phase 4
After notary appointment · 4–8 wks
My power of attorney — details of the trusted person
Power of attorney includes: conclusion and signing of the purchase contract
Power of attorney includes: consent to the land register transfer and priority notice of conveyance
Power of attorney includes: authorisation to accept the purchase price
Power of attorney includes: exemption from § 181 BGB
Power of attorney notarised (not merely signed)
Phase 1 — Before moving away (4–8 weeks)
1
Have the power of attorney notarised by a German notary
Appointment with the notary arranged
Power of attorney handed over and copied
2
Keep a German bank account active
Account not closed
Bank informed of the expected purchase-price payment
3
Compile the documents
Land register extract (max. 3 months old)
Energy certificate (valid)
Building plans / floor plans
Building permit / acceptance
Incidental-cost statements (3 yrs)
Declaration of division (if a condominium)
4
Engage an agent and set a target price
Agency agreement signed
Target price + walk-away price fixed in writing
Phase 2 — Marketing from abroad (6–12 weeks)
Time zone and best availability clarified with the agent
Sales brochure reviewed and approved
Viewing feedback obtained regularly
Purchase offer received and reviewed
Draft purchase contract reviewed by tax adviser/lawyer
Authorised person informed of the notary-appointment schedule
Phase 3 — Notary appointment & conclusion of the purchase contract (3–6 weeks)
Authorised person present at the notary appointment
Purchase contract signed
Priority notice of conveyance entered
Payment deadline and payment method confirmed in the purchase contract
Phase 4 — After the notary appointment (4–8 weeks)
Receipt of the purchase price on the German account confirmed
Land register transfer to the buyer awaited
Handover of keys carried out by agent/authorised person
German account kept open for at least 6 more months (for queries)
Tax adviser engaged for the income tax return (Anlage SO)
Tax deadline entered in the calendar (31 July of the following year)
Quick tax check
| Question | Yes | No / N/A |
|---|---|---|
| Sale within 10 years of purchase? Yes: speculation tax under § 23 EStG possible | ||
| Owner-occupied in the year of sale and the 2 preceding years? Yes: owner-occupation exemption — tax-free | ||
| I live abroad → limited tax liability under § 49 EStG always applies | ||
| GmbH shares ≥ 1%? Yes: also check exit taxation under § 6 AStG |
Guide value: www.immobilienpartner-sachsen.de/ratgeber/spekulationssteuer-rechner
An agent for your remote sale
I coordinate the entire sale — while you are abroad.
www.immobilienpartner-sachsen.de/verkaufsanlass/haus-verkaufen-auswanderung