HousingEditorially reviewed 02/09/2026

Buying real estate

Find out what to check before buying an apartment or house, how to arrange the contract and which tax and land-register steps to complete.

Cost

Depends on value and circumstances

Usual time

Depends on the contract, financing and registration

Responsible institution

Uređena zemlja

How would you like to apply?

Documents and steps differ depending on how you apply.

The buyer and seller arrange the contract, signature certification, handover and other actions for the particular transaction.

You can view land-register and cadastral data online, while the registration application is submitted electronically through an authorised person.

Selected: 0 of 5

Current land-register extractCheck the registered owner, property description, encumbrances, annotations and pending entries.
Proof of the building’s legality and permitted useFor example, an occupancy permit, building permit or another appropriate document, depending on the building’s age and type.
Energy performance certificateIn prescribed cases, the seller must give it to the buyer or provide a copy.Some building types and independent usable units are exempt under special rules.
Sale and purchase agreementThe contract should precisely identify the parties and property, and set out the price, handover and consent to registration.
Identification details of the contracting partiesAccurate personal details and personal identification numbers of the parties are required to draft, certify and implement the contract.

Current land-register extractCheck the registered owner, property description, encumbrances, annotations and pending entries.

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1
Check the building documentation
Request documents on lawful construction and use, the energy certificate and documents important for the particular apartment or house.
2
Check financing and total costs
Besides the price, account for tax, certification, registration, loan costs, valuation, insurance and possible agency fees.
3
Prepare and review the sale and purchase agreement
Before signing, check the seller’s identity, legal property description, payment method, handover and registration clause.
4
Sign the agreement and certify the seller’s signature
Signature certification confirms the signer’s identity, but does not itself confirm that the contract’s content is legally safe.
5
Make payment and complete handover
Follow the agreed conditions and prepare a handover record covering meter readings, keys and documents handed over.
6
Check real estate transfer tax
A notary public normally sends the document to the Tax Administration, but the buyer should follow whether the tax has been assessed and paid where applicable.

1
Check the land register and cadastre
Compare ownership, encumbrances, area, address and property description, and investigate every pending entry or discrepancy.
2
Check financing and total costs
Besides the price, account for tax, certification, registration, loan costs, valuation, insurance and possible agency fees.
3
Submit the ownership-registration application
Registration is a separate procedure through which the buyer acquires registered ownership rights.
4
Check real estate transfer tax
A notary public normally sends the document to the Tax Administration, but the buyer should follow whether the tax has been assessed and paid where applicable.

Procedure	Price	Deadline
Purchase and related costs Besides the purchase price, real estate transfer tax, notary, legal, agency, loan and land-register costs may arise.	Depends on value and circumstances	Depends on the contract, financing and registration

Procedure

Price

Deadline

Purchase and related costs

Besides the purchase price, real estate transfer tax, notary, legal, agency, loan and land-register costs may arise.

Depends on value and circumstances

Depends on the contract, financing and registration

Signing a sale and purchase agreement alone does not mean that the buyer is registered as owner.
Land-register and cadastral data can differ; resolve any discrepancy before purchase.
Encumbrances, annotations and pending entries can materially affect the ability to acquire property safely.
Notarial certification of a signature is not the same as a legal review of the entire contract.
Tax treatment depends on whether the transaction is subject to real estate transfer tax or VAT and whether legal conditions for exemption or refund apply.
Additional rules may apply when a foreign citizen purchases real estate.

Checking only the listing or possession sheet, not a current land-register extract.
Not investigating pending entries, mortgages, annotations or other third-party rights.
The contract lacks valid and enforceable consent to registration.
Not checking the building’s legality and the documentation for the particular unit.
Forgetting tax, loan, certification, agency and registration costs.
Not submitting the ownership-registration application promptly after paying the price.

Information was editorially reviewed on 02/09/2026. Before applying, check the latest information on official websites.

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