Selling property in Malta: A complete guide for UK residents

Have a holiday home in Malta and thinking of selling up? Perhaps you have an investment property and it’s the ideal time to sell, or you might be moving back to the UK after living there.

Whatever your plans, read on for a comprehensive guide to selling property in Malta as a Brit. We’ll walk you through the process step-by-step, as well as covering fees, taxes, timescales and whether or not you need a solicitor.

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Selling property in Malta as a non-resident - a step-by-step guide

For foreigners selling property in Malta for the first time, it’s important to get to grips with how the process works.

You may have an idea based on your initial experience of buying a Maltese property, but it works a little differently from the seller’s side of things.

Let’s run through the main steps, so you know exactly what to expect.

1. Get your documentation together

Before you do anything else, it’s a good idea to get all your documentation together. This can help prevent delays further down the line.

Here’s what you should have ready, just in case it’s needed:

• Your ID, such as a valid passport
• A copy of the original deed of acquisition
• An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property
• The original permit plan
• An inventory list of what is and isn’t included with the property (i.e. fixtures and fittings)
• Details of ground rent, if relevant
• All documents relating to the mortgage.

2. Find an estate agent and get a valuation

Now, you need to find an estate agent to market and sell the property.

It isn’t mandatory to use one, but it could be a good idea if you’re unfamiliar with the local property market or not actually living in Malta.

An agent should have the local knowledge and expertise to sell your property at a good price. They’ll also handle everything from the valuation and photographs to hosting viewings and communicating with buyers.

Estate agents in Malta need to be licensed, so make sure to check this before choosing one.

3. Advertise the property

The next big step is to put your property on the market and advertise it to potential buyers.

Before you do, it’s worth taking a little time to clean, declutter and do everything you can to show off the property’s best features in good quality photographs (your estate agent will help with this).

Your estate agent will play a central role in advertising the property, but you can also list it on popular local property sites such as:

• Franksalt.com.mt
• Remax-malta.com
• Alliance.mt
• Rightmove.co.uk (if you want to reach buyers from the UK).

4. Appoint a solicitor

It’s recommended to hire a solicitor to give you advice on your Maltese property sale, and to oversee the legal and administrative aspects of the sale.

A personal recommendation is a good way to find a solicitor, but you can also find a list of English-speaking property solicitors on the UK Government website.

5. Negotiate and accept an offer

Buyers can submit offers directly to you, but it could be easier if they go through your real estate agent. They can help you negotiate with buyers and agree on a final purchase price.

6. Sign the Promise of Sale Agreement

Once the buyer’s solicitor has completed all the necessary due diligence checks, it’s time for both parties to sign the preliminary contract. This is known as the Promise of Sale Agreement or Konvenju.

This will be drawn up by the notary, who may be appointed by the buyer or you can appoint one yourself. Once it’s ready, have your solicitor check it over before you sign.

The buyer will usually pay a deposit of 10% ¹ of the purchase price at this stage, the money being held either with the notary or the estate agent.

The Konvenju agreement usually lasts three months,¹ so you can expect a completion date to fall within this period. During this time, the notary will carry out the following:

• Registering the agreement in terms of law
• Applying for any permits if necessary
• Carrying out title searches.

7. Sign the final deed of sale

Once all the terms and conditions of the Promise of Sale Agreement have been met and the legal work completed, a date can be set for both parties to sign the final deed of sale.

Transfers will be arranged for the final balance, you’ll hand over the keys and the property will be registered in the new buyer’s name.

All fees and taxes will need to be paid at this point too - we’ll cover what to expect later in this guide.

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Taxes and fees when selling property in Malta as a non-resident

Now, let’s take a look at the costs of selling property in Malta:

Estate agent commission fees

Estate agent commission fees in Malta vary between agents, but you can expect to pay around 5% of the overall sale price.² This is likely to be one of the biggest costs you’ll face as a seller.

Legal/notary fees

Another significant cost to factor in is your solicitor’s fees. These can vary depending on the individual solicitor and the scope of the work they do for you, as well as the property price.

Notary fees of around 1% to 2.5% will also be due³ - the notary is a mandatory part of the property sale/purchase process in Malta. However, these fees are usually paid by the buyer.

Energy Performance Certificate

If your property doesn’t have an EPC or it’s out of date , you’ll need to commission a new one. This costs around €180 to €190 EUR.⁴

Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

When selling property in Malta, taxes are an important cost you need to budget for.

The main one sellers need to know about is capital gains tax (CGT), which may be due on the profit you make from the sale.

By profit, we mean the difference between what you paid for the property and what you sell it for, minus any fees and expenses.

CGT rules can be complicated in any country, but here are the main points you need to know about in Malta:³

• CGT is also referred to as final withholding tax in Malta
• You may be exempt from CGT if the property has been your main home for the last three years before you sell it³
• For most sales, the CGT rate is 8%. However, it can fall to 5% if selling within 5 years of purchase, or increase to 10% if the property was bought before 31st December 2003⁴
• You’re classed as an Maltese resident for tax purposes if you live there permanently or spend at least 183 days there in the tax year.

It’s important to check whether UK rules on capital gains tax apply when you sell property abroad. There’s also double taxation to consider, so you don’t end up paying tax in two countries at once.

Tax can be extraordinarily complex, so it’s best to get advice from a tax specialist to help you understand your obligations.

Property transfer tax

Another major cost involved in Maltese property sales is property transfer tax, or stamp duty.

This is set at 5% of the property’s value. There’s a reduced rate of 3.5% on the first €200,000 EUR, but only for EU buyers and only if it’s the buyer’s main home.³

Unlike in some countries, this tax is paid by the buyer - but it’s still useful as a seller to know the rates and thresholds as it will help you when pricing your property.

Does owning property in Malta make you a tax resident?

For anyone considering moving to Malta (or staying there if you’re a temporary resident), it’s useful to know about tax residency and how it relates to property ownership.

Owning a property doesn’t automatically make you a tax resident in Malta. But how much time you spend living in the property does.

Malta has something called the 183-day rule to determine tax residency status. You’re considered a tax resident for the year if you spend 183 days or more in Malta within that year, or if you’re a permanent resident in your Maltese home.

However, you may be interested to read about the Malta Golden Visa programme. This grants a residence permit to non-EU nationals who make a suitably large investment in the country, which includes buying real estate - as long as they meet other conditions too.

Do you need a lawyer or a solicitor to sell property?

It’s strongly recommended to appoint a solicitor specialising in real estate or conveyancing work in Malta.

They can help you get all your legal documents together ready for the sale, draw up, translate and check over contracts, give you advice about the selling process and so much more.

This could make your property sale go more smoothly and crucially, help you avoid a costly mistake.

It’s important to note that a solicitor is different to a notary public, whose role is to handle paperwork and legal aspects of the sale rather than give legal advice.

In Malta, both professionals have an important role to play in the property sales process.

Can you use Power of Attorney (POA) to sell your property in Malta?

Yes, you can use a Power of Attorney (POA, or Prokura in Maltese) to sell a Maltese property while living abroad, but you’ll need to complete the correct legal documentation and processes.

This involves drawing up and signing a legally binding document in the presence of a notary. This document authorises a lawyer or other designated party to act on your behalf in all matters related to selling your property. The document must then be registered with the Director of the Public Registry.⁵

Selling inherited property in Malta

A common situation for foreign citizens and UK expats living abroad is needing to sell Maltese property they’ve inherited.

This is certainly possible, but it’s not without its challenges. Here are the key things you need to know:

• When you inherit property, you need to get a Certificate of Inheritance from the Public Registry
• Debts and unpaid taxes associated with the property must be cleared before it can be sold
• The property will need to be valued before it can be sold
• Malta doesn’t have inheritance tax, but stamp duty may apply for the transfer of the property
• Capital Gains Tax (CGT) will be due on the profits of the sale
• You can appoint a Maltese Power of Attorney (POA) to act on your behalf.

It’s recommended to use the services of a solicitor and/or a tax specialist to help you navigate the legal processes involved in inheriting and then selling property in Malta.

How long does it take to sell property in Malta?

Selling property in Malta takes around 3 to 6 months on average,⁶ but it can vary considerably based on individual circumstances - as well as factors beyond your control.

Common bottlenecks which delay Maltese property sales include:

• Bureaucracy - staff shortages can delay processes, and it can take time to obtain key documents
• Title issues and unclear property boundaries
• Unrealistic price expectations
• Complex inheritance disputes
• The buyers mortgage application being rejected

It may also depend on how fast properties are selling in the local market.

Do you need a Maltese bank account to sell property in Malta?

It’s not mandatory, but it could be extremely helpful to have a Maltese bank account in order to sell property in the country.

If you don’t already have one, it could be an idea to start taking a look at Maltese banks and see what accounts are on offer for non-residents.

If you have an international account or offshore account, you’ll need to speak to your solicitor to find out whether it can be used to send or receive money relating to the sale.

Another thing to note is that international transfers could get expensive, especially if the provider adds a margin to the exchange rate to convert euros to British pounds, or vice versa.

Consider checking out the Wise account to handle your international transfers with mid-market exchange rates and transparent fees.

Is now a good time to sell your property in Malta?

Your circumstances will have a lot to do with whether or not it’s the right time to sell your property in Malta. For example, how much you originally paid for the property and what prices are currently like in the local property market.

But looking at the country’s property market in general, now could be a good time to sell.

Driven by continued buyer demand and limited supply, prices in Malta have been rising over the last few years. In fact, they rose by around 6.9% in 2025, and it’s still something of a seller’s market in 2026.⁷

Key takeaways

• Capital Gains Tax (CGT), often referred to as final withholding tax, is generally set at 8% for the seller, though this can be waived if the property has been your main residence for at least three years prior to the sale.
• The legal process centers on the Promise of Sale Agreement (Konvenju), which is typically valid for three months while the notary conducts title searches; at this stage, the buyer usually pays a 10% deposit.
• Sellers should budget for an estate agent commission of approximately 5%, while the buyer is responsible for the 5% property transfer tax (stamp duty) and the notary fees, which range from 1% to 2.5%.
• The average time to complete a property sale in Malta is 3 to 6 months, with potential delays often caused by local bureaucracy, title issues, or complex inheritance disputes.
• While prices rose by 6.9% in 2025, the market remains a "seller's market" in 2026, making it a favorable time to list a property due to high demand and limited supply.

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Sources used:

1. Frank Salt - Selling Procedures
2. Propertymarket.com.mt - Complete Guide to Navigating Real Estate Laws in Malta
3. Sara Grech - Understanding Property Tax and Fees in Malta
4. Open House Malta - Property Selling Costs in Malta for Buyers and Sellers
5. LawyersMalta.eu - Power of Attorney in Malta
6. Propertymarket.com.mt - Selling a Property in Malta | The Definitive Guide
7. Investropa - Is right now a good time to buy a property in Malta? (2026)

Sources last checked on date: 24-Mar-2026