Romania — Property: Legal Checks

Key facts

• The land book is public: under the Civil Code anyone can consult it without justifying an interest; apply to the cadastre office (OCPI) covering the property, via the form on ancpi.ro, in Romanian only.
• An information excerpt has no validity term and costs 20 lei per property; an authentication excerpt (used for the notarial deed) costs 40 lei and is valid 10 working days (fees per ELRA, may have changed).
• Section C records mortgages (effective against third parties from registration, ranked by registration date), usufruct, easements and similar rights, plus court notices and tax liabilities entered as real encumbrances.
• Real rights are acquired only by entry in the land book, with exceptions such as inheritance, natural accession, forced sale and expropriation; the first to register is treated as the true holder.
• Foreign buyers: EU/EEA nationals and companies buy land on the same terms as Romanians; third-country buyers only where a treaty with reciprocity applies. The limits cover land plots, not buildings, and foreigners cannot acquire land by will.
• For agricultural land outside towns a preemption procedure must be completed before the notarial deed; the registrar rejects registration where a state preemption right applies and no notice is shown.

Steps

1. Identify a Notary or Real Estate Lawyer — Choose a notary public or a real estate lawyer who is registered and experienced in property transactions in Romania.
2. Collect Property Documentation — Gather all relevant documents such as the deed of ownership, land registry documents, and any previous transaction records.
3. Review Property Status — The notary or lawyer will review the property’s status, checking for any legal issues, restrictions, or obligations.