You can sell or buy property in India from the UK through a registered attorney holder, using a power of attorney notarised in the UK and apostilled by the FCDO. The Indian buyer deducts tax at non-resident rates; proceeds are remitted to your UK account within the annual limit. UK residents are generally liable to UK capital gains tax on the sale as well, with relief for Indian tax.
- Document route
- Notary + FCDO apostille, or High Commission
- Time difference
- 4.5 to 5.5 hours behind IST
- Handled in India at
- Sub-registrar office and tax portal
- Travel to India
- None with a power of attorney
How it works from the UK
We prepare the property for sale: mutation in your name, society or authority no-objections, proof of cost and, for inherited property, the succession papers. A lower deduction certificate is obtained so that tax is withheld on the gain and not the price. The attorney holder signs the agreement and deed; payment is by bank transfer to your NRO account.
For the UK side we supply your accountant with the sale deed, the Indian computation and tax certificates. The abolition of the remittance basis means long-settled UK residents can no longer keep Indian gains outside UK tax simply by leaving the money in India, so the timing of a sale deserves a conversation with your UK adviser first.
What is different for NRIs in the UK
- UK gain is computed on sterling cost and proceeds, which can differ widely from the Indian gain.
- Buying in India: pay from NRE or NRO funds or by transfer from your UK bank.
- Agricultural land can be sold only to a resident Indian citizen.
Step by step from the UK
Free review call
Calls fit easily into a UK morning, when courts and offices in India are still open. We read your papers on a property purchase or sale in India first, so the call is about your options and not a repeat of the facts.
Authority from UK
Where a representative must act for you in India on a property purchase or sale in India, you sign before a UK notary public or solicitor and obtain the FCDO apostille, or attend the High Commission or a Consulate General. We draft the document and send signing instructions.
Work in India
In India, we verify title, settle the agreement and sale deed, handle the tax deduction paperwork and attend registration with your attorney holder. Updates for clients in the UK go by email and WhatsApp with scans of whatever is filed.
Result and handover
At the end you receive the registered deed, tax certificates and, on a sale, the bank papers for repatriation. Originals are couriered to your address in the UK if you need them.
The law in full
This page covers what changes when you handle a property purchase or sale in India from the UK. For the Indian law, the complete document checklist, common mistakes and more questions, read our main page on Buying & Selling Property. For other matters, see all legal services for NRIs in the UK or the Property & Real Estate practice area.
Questions from NRIs in the UK
Can I sell property in India while living in the UK?
Yes, through a registered special power of attorney; you need not travel.
Do I pay capital gains tax in the UK on Indian property?
UK residents generally do, with credit for Indian tax. Rules changed in April 2025; confirm with a UK adviser.
How do I bring the money to the UK?
From your NRO account by bank remittance, after Indian tax, on an accountant's certificate, up to one million US dollars a year.