How much does it cost to sell a property in Uruguay?
If you own property in Uruguay and plan to sell - especially from abroad - it pays to know the costs before setting the price. Some are taxes withheld by the escribano; others depend on how you sell.
Taxes paid by the seller
Transfer tax (ITP): 2% on the cadastral value
Every sale pays ITP: 2% the seller and 2% the buyer. It is calculated on the property's "valor catastral" set by the National Cadastre (Catastro), not on the price. The escribano withholds it at the deed.
Income tax on the gain: 12%
- IRPF if you are a Uruguayan tax resident.
- IRNR if you are not.
The rate is 12% of the taxable income: generally the sale price (or the cadastral value, if higher) minus the updated tax cost, the ITP paid by the seller and documented improvements.
Older properties: if the property was bought before 1 July 2007, you can opt to take 15% of the sale price as the taxable income.
Primary home: there is an exemption with several conditions, including reinvesting part of the proceeds in a new primary home within a deadline. Check it with an accountant.
Other costs
- Agency fee: no legal rate. Market reference: 3% + VAT (3.66%). Ask what's included: photos, video, portals, filtering, viewings, negotiation and follow-up until signing.
- Your own escribano, if needed (for example, to prepare probate paperwork or review a power of attorney): ask for a written quote.
- Debts: property tax (Contribución Inmobiliaria), Primary School Tax and building fees must be up to date, and any mortgage or lien resolved.
What you keep
| Item | How it's calculated | Who confirms it |
|---|---|---|
| Sale price | Negotiated | You and the agency |
| − Seller's ITP | 2% of the cadastral value | Escribano |
| − IRPF / IRNR | 12% of the gain, or 12% of 15% of the price (pre-July 2007 purchases) | Accountant and escribano |
| − Agency fee | As agreed in writing | Agency |
| − Outstanding debts | Property taxes, building fees, mortgage | Escribano |
| = Net proceeds |
Selling from abroad
You don't need to fly in: you can sign through a power of attorney, either before a notary in your country (with an apostille) or at a Uruguayan consulate. Have the Uruguayan escribano review the wording before you sign it. And ask an accountant whether the sale has tax effects in your country of residence.
Frequently asked questions
Does the seller pay transfer tax (ITP) in Uruguay?
Yes. In a sale, the seller pays 2% and the buyer pays 2%. It is calculated on the "valor catastral" set by the National Cadastre, not on the agreed price, and the escribano withholds it.
How much capital gains tax is paid when selling a property in Uruguay?
The rate is 12% of the taxable income, which is generally the sale price minus the updated tax cost. For properties acquired before 1 July 2007, the seller can opt to take 15% of the sale price as the taxable income.
Do non-residents pay tax when selling property in Uruguay?
Yes. Non-residents pay IRNR on the gain, also at 12%, and the escribano acts as withholding agent.
How much does a real estate agency charge in Uruguay?
There is no legally set rate. The most common market reference is 3% plus VAT (22%), i.e. 3.66%. Agree it in writing and check what the service includes.
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- DGI, Impuesto a las Transmisiones Patrimoniales (25/06/2024) · accessed 15/09/2026
- DGI, IRPF incrementos patrimoniales de inmuebles urbanos (24/06/2024) · accessed 15/09/2026
- DGI Consolidated Text, Title 8, Impuesto a las Rentas de los No Residentes (IMPO) · accessed 15/09/2026
- The 3% + VAT agency fee is a market reference, not a legal rate
General information. It does not replace advice from a Uruguayan notary (escribano) or accountant for your case. Ignacio Brañas has worked in real estate in Montevideo for more than 10 years.