Property transfers and contract validation

The transfer of property is the transfer of ownership rights (title) from the seller to the buyer by means of certain legal acts—most often this is a purchase and sale contract, deed of gift, or similar document. Title to real property is not subject to any time barring statutes.

Title to real property is acquired, modified, and terminated by way of registration in the land register administered by district authorities (cadastral division).

The registration process is initiated by a party to the transaction, and the application can be filed in paper or electronic form; when filing electronically, one form and one copy of the attachments are submitted.

The application is then reviewed by the land register, which will decide to allow the registration or reject the application.

The decision allowing registration of title is sent to the parties to the cadastral procedure; the decision becomes final on the day it is issued.

The district authority will send the decision allowing registration to the parties within 15 days after it is issued.

The decision of the land register to allow registration cannot be appealed.

The registration process is suspended if:

1. interlocutory proceedings are initiated
2. the administrative fee was not paid
3. the participant was formally asked to submit an authentic or other instrument within a certain time period confirming his or her right in the property to resolve deficiencies in the application or in the attachments
4. all the participants in unison apply for suspension, with a maximum suspension time of 60 days
5. the participant was ordered, by injunction or provisional measure, to refrain from disposing of specific property
6. the right to dispose of the property is limited according to a specific regulation

Other property transfers

Property owners have the right to transfer their real property mainly by means of contracts or by unilateral legal acts (e.g. a will).