Selling an apartment, penthouse, or condo in Israel while you live in the U.S., U.K., Canada, or anywhere abroad is common, and it’s perfectly doable with the right Israeli law firm and the right paperwork.
The quick answer is:
Yes, you can complete an Israeli property sale from abroad by providing a valid Irrevocable Power of Attorney (IPOA) only when the sale is in progress, not prior to that.
The two most important practical steps are:
- Prepare an Israeli-law IPOA that Israeli authorities will accept.
- Retain a real estate lawyer to act on your behalf, coordinate the sale, and update you to the T.
How an Israeli Real Estate Attorney Handles a Property Sale for Clients Abroad
When the seller resides outside Israel, the attorney does far more than “review a contract.” Our Israeli law firm assumes full legal oversight of the transaction to ensure compliance with Israeli property, tax, and land registry authorities in Israel and the U.S.
Structures the Transaction to Protect a Non-resident Seller
The attorney drafts and reviews the sale agreement to account for:
- Payment schedules and timetable;
- Escrow protections;
- Capital gains tax, if any;
- Currency exchange rates;
- Complying with any IRS and FATCA requirements.
Foreign sellers require contract language that anticipates remote signing and international banking issues.
Prepares and Validates the Irrevocable Power of Attorney (IPOA)
Our Israeli law firm drafts a transaction-specific minimal document, tailored to Israeli registry requirements, and guides the client through notarization and apostille, ensuring the document is accepted by the Land Registry and tax authorities.
Manages Compliance with Israeli Tax Authorities
Where capital gains tax reporting is required, our firm coordinates filings, obtains necessary clearances, and ensures that the minimum Israeli capital gains taxes are paid.
Oversees Closing and Land Registry Registration (Tabu transfer)
Our law firm holds the IPOA in trust until full payment is received. No title recording can be complete without our approval and our decision, together with the client.
What Documents Are Required to Sell Israeli Real Estate from Abroad?
- Valid passport (copy);
- Original signed Irrevocable Power of Attorney (notarized + apostilled or consular legalized, as needed);
- Full bank details for wire transfers (IBAN / SWIFT);
- Any mortgage discharge documents (if property is encumbered);
- Previous purchase documents, invoices, or proof of improvements (for tax deductibles).
How Long Does It Take to Complete an Israeli Property Sale When the Seller Lives Abroad?
From contract drafts to Tabu registration, a sale handled by an experienced Israeli lawyer at our firm takes 3-5 months, depending on buyer financing and tax clearance.
Is Electronic Signing Enough?
Israeli Tabu, aka Land Registrar, does not accept an e-notary.
Why Our Firm?
- A high-end family office service;
- Maximize equity;
- Expert in reducing capital gains tax;
- Saving Israeli VAT;
- Simplify while saving time and days of work;
- Highly referred law firm by clients.
Our firm’s founder, Rahav D. Aharoni, is a native of Israel with over two decades of experience in Israeli real estate and estate law, and regularly helps international sellers diligently manage remote transactions to the T.
Our hundreds of client references praise our law firm’s responsiveness and efficiency in the Israeli bureaucracy. Contact us through our online form to schedule a complimentary consultation with our Israeli attorney or call us at (888) 923-0022 to discuss how we can simplify your real estate transaction in Israel.
