Living abroad and want to sell a flat in Lithuania? How to do it without coming back
Living abroad and want to sell a flat in Lithuania? How to do it without coming back
2026-10-01
Updated 19 October 2026 · Author: Sandra Jakulė, real estate agent in Vilnius since 2013
In short
Yes, you can sell a flat, house or land plot in Vilnius or elsewhere in Lithuania while living abroad. At the notary you can be represented by a real estate agent or someone close to you under your notarised power of attorney, which you can sign at a Lithuanian embassy or consulate. You can also sign remotely with a qualified electronic signature or come for just one day to a notary in Lithuania. A real estate agent in Lithuania coordinates the documents, price, advertising, viewings and negotiations, while you always make the final decisions. I, Sandra Jakulė, have worked this way since 2013: many of my clients live abroad or in another city.
Do you still own a flat, house or land plot in Lithuania, but have been living abroad for some time? It may be the home you left behind, an inherited property, or simply real estate you no longer use. Whatever the reason, selling a flat or other property in Lithuania while living abroad is entirely possible if it is planned in advance and you have a reliable representative here in Lithuania.
In this article I explain step by step what you need to know: which documents you will need, how to sign the deal from abroad, how to set the price and which taxes apply in 2026.
Selling from abroad – 5 steps
1 Document check → 2 How you will sign: 3 options → 3 Price and strategy → 4 Preparation and advertising → 5 Negotiations and the deal
Why sell your flat, house or plot if you live abroad?
Life changes, and that is natural. Selling can be a sensible and financially sound decision if:
- you do not plan to return to Lithuania any time soon;
- the empty flat brings no benefit or even costs you money;
- you want to invest the money where you live now;
- you have inherited a property and do not want to manage it from a distance.
1. Checking and preparing the documents
First, I make sure all the necessary documents are in order. If something is missing, I help to obtain it. Usually you need:
- an extract from the Real Property Register;
- ownership documents (purchase agreement, certificate of inheritance);
- an energy performance certificate;
- the floor plan (cadastral measurement file);
- loan documents, if the property is mortgaged;
- your spouse’s consent, if the property was acquired during the marriage or is the family home;
- other documents depending on your situation.
About spousal consent. Property acquired during marriage is usually joint property of both spouses, so selling it requires the will of both. Inherited property belongs to the spouse who inherited it, but notaries often still ask for the other spouse’s written consent – for example, if joint money was invested in the property. If your spouse also lives abroad, it makes sense to arrange their consent together with the power of attorney.
If you cannot collect everything yourself, I can do it for you with your power of attorney.
2. How to sign the deal while living abroad: 3 options
You can sign the deal in one of three ways. The first two work if you do not come back to Lithuania at all:
a) Notarised power of attorney
The most common option when you want to authorise a relative or a real estate agent in Lithuania to act on your behalf: sign the purchase agreement, attend the notary, and represent you at the Centre of Registers, banks or the municipality.
Where to make it:
- at the Lithuanian embassy or consulate in the country where you live;
- at a local notary – you will then need an Apostille (or legalisation) and a translation into Lithuanian;
- electronically, if you have a qualified electronic signature.
The power of attorney must clearly state the right to sell the specific property and to receive the money into your account.
b) Qualified e-signature
A modern, fast alternative to paper powers of attorney. With a qualified electronic signature you can sign documents remotely. Accepted:
- Lithuanian Mobile-ID;
- Smart-ID (qualified signature);
- a qualified e-signature from another EU country.
You can use it to sign the power of attorney and other property documents, and, where the notary offers it, the purchase agreement itself remotely (how the e-notary works, in Lithuanian).
c) Come only for the notary
I handle all the preparation, viewings and negotiations, and you come back only on a day agreed in advance to sign the agreement at the notary.
The preliminary agreement can be signed remotely, so one trip is enough. This suits you if you want to sign yourself and do not have a qualified e-signature.
Important: not every notary handles fully remote deals yet, but their number is growing. A qualified e-signature has the same legal force as a handwritten one. I always recommend agreeing on the right form of power of attorney in advance – I help to prepare it and coordinate it with the notary.
How can I help?
– I check whether your e-signature is suitable.
– I put you in touch with a notary who handles remote deals.
– I coordinate the whole process so that everything runs smoothly.
In short: if you have an e-signature, great – it will be even faster. If not, a notarised power of attorney or a single trip to the notary will do. Choose what suits you best, and I will take care of the rest.
3. Valuation and pricing strategy
Based on real market data, analysis of transactions and my experience, I recommend a price. I take into account:
- the location and trends in the district;
- the condition and layout of the flat;
- prices of similar properties and how long they stay on the market;
- interest from buyers and investors.
I never inflate the price without reason – my aim is a real sale, not empty promises.
4. Preparing the flat for the market
Even if you cannot come to Lithuania, I take care of everything:
- I get the flat ready: small repairs, cleaning and staging if needed;
- I arrange a professional photo shoot;
- I make a promotional video;
- I prepare a strong listing with a description that appeals to buyers.
Your property will be presented well and seen where real buyers are looking. If the flat is empty, read how to prepare an empty flat for sale when you live abroad (in Lithuanian).
5. Negotiations and the deal
I represent you throughout the process:
- I negotiate with buyers, but you always decide on the final price and terms;
- I arrange the notary appointment and all formalities;
- I make sure the payment is made safely, for example through the notary’s deposit account.
You get the result – a completed sale and the money. Working with me is safe: you pay for my services only when the sale is completed and the money is already in your bank account.
From practice
The seller lives in London – a flat in Skaidiškės sold in 1 day
In September 2026 I sold a 1-room flat in Skaidiškės, Vilnius district. The owner lives in London. I got the flat ready and staged it, and made the photos and the video. A buyer came forward on the first day of the sale. The seller signed the preliminary agreement remotely from London and came to Lithuania only once – to sign the agreement at the notary on 30 September 2026. She received the full amount on the same day.
„As I don’t live in Lithuania, the process was unclear to me, but Sandra organised everything smoothly and I could feel at ease.” – Agata, Google review · translated from Lithuanian
The full sale story (in Lithuanian) →What about taxes? (2026)
From 1 January 2026, when you sell real estate in Lithuania, you do not pay personal income tax on the profit if:
- you have owned the property for at least 5 years;
- your place of residence was declared at the property for at least the last 2 years before the sale;
- within 1 year you buy another home and declare your residence there;
- you sell for no more than you paid (there is no profit).
In other cases, personal income tax is 15 % on the profit (for annual profit above €27,745.80 – higher rates). If you sell before the 5 years are up, the income must be declared even when the tax is zero. Living abroad, you may also have to declare the income in your country of residence – this depends on the double taxation treaty between the two countries. If you are not a Lithuanian tax resident, check whether the exemptions apply to you with the State Tax Inspectorate (VMI) or a tax adviser.
I help you to clarify everything and, if needed, put you in touch with a trusted accountant or tax adviser. More (in Lithuanian): property sale taxes in 2026 and how many years you need to own a property.
Why work with me?
I have worked as a real estate agent in Vilnius since 2013 and help Lithuanians living in many countries sell their property in Lithuania – without stress, without unnecessary flights, and with representation at every step.
I work individually
You get my full attention, not a place in a queue of anonymous clients.
Clear communication
I explain everything simply, step by step.
Experience with clients abroad
I have helped clients from Ireland, Germany, Norway, the UK, France, Sweden, Spain, the USA and other countries.
I handle it for you
From documents to the notary – you do not need to fly to Lithuania.
„She helped me sell my flat in Lithuania quickly while I was abroad. Communication was clear and very professional.”
★★★★★ Dainius · sold while living abroad · translated from Lithuanian
Service
Selling property in Vilnius while living abroad
How the whole process works, what it costs and what clients say.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell my flat in Lithuania without coming back from abroad?
Yes. At the notary you can be represented by a real estate agent or someone close to you under your notarised power of attorney, made at a Lithuanian embassy, consulate or local notary. The agreement can also be signed remotely with a qualified electronic signature.
Can I come to Lithuania only to sign at the notary?
Yes. The real estate agent does all the work before the deal, the preliminary agreement can be signed remotely, and you come only on the agreed day to the notary.
Where can I make a power of attorney while living abroad?
At a Lithuanian embassy or consulate, at a local notary (you will then need an Apostille or legalisation and a translation into Lithuanian), or electronically if you have a qualified e-signature.
Do I need my spouse’s consent to sell the flat?
If the property was acquired during the marriage or is the family home – usually yes. When you sell inherited property, notaries also often ask for the spouse’s written consent.
Will I have to pay tax after selling the flat?
From 2026, no personal income tax is due if you owned the property for at least 5 years or your residence was declared there for at least 2 years. In other cases, personal income tax is 15 % on the profit (for annual profit above €27,745.80 – higher rates).
When is the agent’s fee paid?
Only after the deal, when the sale is completed and the money is already in your bank account.
What is the fastest way to contact the agent from abroad?
Send a message on WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram or Messenger to +370 655 31429 – voice messages are welcome too. It is a quick and free way to get in touch from any country.
Want to sell your property in Lithuania? Let’s discuss your situation
Success is in the details – from the quality of the listing to legal accuracy.
The fastest way is to send a message
When you live abroad, messaging apps are the easiest way to reach me: quick and free. You can write or send a voice message to +370 655 31429. You decide whether we work together.
About the author
Sandra Jakulė, real estate agent in Vilnius
I have worked in real estate since 2013. For several years I worked at agencies, and since 2020 I have worked independently. I sell flats, houses and land plots in all Vilnius neighbourhoods and the Vilnius district. I speak Lithuanian, English and Russian.
I often work with owners who live abroad or don’t want to deal with buyers themselves. In that case I handle the sale from the start to the notary.
Buying a home or a plot?
If you want to know what to look out for when choosing, I can advise you by video call or in person in Vilnius. The consultation lasts up to 1 hour and costs 50 €.
Consultation for buyers – 50 € →Have a question? Send a text or voice message on WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram or Messenger to +370 655 31429. We’ll discuss your situation, and you’ll decide whether we work together.
