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Buying property in Slovakia with a lawyer

Buying property in Slovakia with a lawyer in practice

When buying a flat or a house, people focus on the price and the mortgage, but the risks hide in the detail. A charge or an easement on the title deed, a seller who owns the property jointly with a spouse, or a reservation agreement that mainly protects the estate agent. Most of these problems come to light if the paperwork is checked before signing.

We check the title deed, known in Slovakia as the list vlastníctva, and the seller's right to sell, review the reservation and preliminary agreements and draft a purchase contract that also covers the case where the Land Registry refuses registration. We arrange payment through notarial escrow or a blocked bank account and align it with the bank's process if there is a mortgage. Finally, we file the registration application and follow the Land Registry proceedings.

What we help with

  • Checking the title deed and encumbrances
  • Verifying the seller and their right to sell
  • Reviewing reservation and preliminary agreements
  • Drafting the purchase contract
  • Notarial escrow or a blocked bank account for the price
  • Land Registry application and follow-up

Worth knowing

Pay after registration

If you pay the price before the Land Registry approves the transfer, you carry the risk of getting it back. Notarial escrow or a blocked bank account lets the money be released only after registration.

Co-owners' pre-emption right

When a co-ownership share is sold, the other co-owners have a statutory right of first refusal (Section 140 of the Slovak Civil Code).

Spouses' property

Property held in the community property of spouses must be sold by both spouses.

Seller's tax

Income from selling property the seller has owned for more than five years is exempt from income tax (Section 9 of Slovak Act No. 595/2003). The law provides further exemptions too.

Common questions

  • Most often through notarial escrow or a blocked bank account. The seller receives the money only once the Land Registry approves the transfer or another agreed condition is met. We set the release conditions out in the purchase contract.

  • If the property is to form part of the spouses' community property, usually yes. If you buy it with funds outside that property, for example an inheritance, you can acquire it in your sole ownership, and the contract should say so expressly.

  • We quote a fixed fee based on the type of property and the work involved after an initial review. To start, you can book a 30-minute consultation for €90 including VAT.

Related articles

Articles are in Slovak.

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This page is for general information, reflects Slovak law at the time of writing and is not a substitute for advice on your particular matter.