Changes in the Property Registration Regulations to Enhance Real Estate Security (Effective 15.01.2026)
In order to limit real estate fraud and increase security in property transactions, amendments to the Property Registration Regulations came into effect on January 15, 2026.
What should we know about these changes?
What do they provide?
Before the changes, anyone could freely obtain a copy of a foreign notarial deed, gaining full access to sensitive information about an individual, their legal representatives, and other parties to the transaction. The new amendments have discontinued the issuance of uncertified copies and extracts from registered deeds to an unrestricted circle of persons.
Now, according to Article 42, paragraph 1 of the Property Registration Regulations, while anyone may request information and certificates regarding the existence or absence of registration, copies and extracts of registered deeds, annotations, or cancellations from the registration books or the parties’ files are issued only to explicitly specified persons.
Who can request copies?
Copies may still be issued to a precisely defined group of persons, according to Article 51, paragraph 1 of the Regulations:
- Parties to the transaction, their legal representatives, or authorized proxies;
- Notaries and their staff;
- Lawyers, junior lawyers, and legal assistants registered with the respective bar association;
- Private bailiffs and their staff;
- Courts, prosecutors, investigation authorities, and other bodies or persons in cases provided for by law or regulation.
These changes authorize only a specific circle of persons to request and receive copies of deeds.
Access for persons with “legal interest”
Outside the categories above, uncertified copies and extracts may also be issued to other persons who have a legal interest. This new provision, regulated in Article 51, paragraph 3, means that the existence of a legal interest is assessed individually by the registration judge based on the circumstances presented by the applicant and supporting documents.
Examples of legal interest include:
- A person negotiating the acquisition of real estate (e.g., based on a preliminary agreement with the transferor or correspondence);
- A person providing intermediary services for real estate acquisition (based on a contract with the client);
- A tenant or lessee of a property, or a person intending to conclude a lease or rental agreement for a term longer than one year;
- Legal counsel of a company regularly involved in real estate transactions, including establishing mortgages for securing claims.
Applicants requesting a copy must indicate the purpose and the related person, while those with legal interest must specify the exact nature of their interest.
Why are these changes important?
The amendments authorize only a defined circle of persons to request and obtain copies of deeds, while also allowing persons with a proven legal interest to access necessary information. This is a key step in combating real estate fraud, as it limits unauthorized access to sensitive data.
For any assistance related to concluding a property transaction or other type of transfer, it is essential to consult a licensed attorney. The lawyer can perform the necessary checks on property ownership – including registered liens, lawsuits, or other encumbrances, previous owners, prior transfers, and more.
Contact our team, and we will assist you – without waiting in lines or submitting documents at counters.