Guide for buying property in the Slovak Republic
Patricia Holikova, Sunday, 24 August 2014
After Slovakia became a member of the European Union in 2004, the real estate market has been growing quickly in the country. One of the reasons for such expansion was the fact that the market became open to investors coming from abroad. Legal restrictions on foreign ownership of real estate properties have been lifted – with the only exception for forest and agricultural land.
According to the country’s Mining Act 184/2002 Coll., foreigners are not allowed to purchase nor receive such property as a donation. Nevertheless, it is possible for foreigners to buy (or receive) agricultural and forest property in case that the person interested in the purchase pursued business activities on the land for at least three years and at the same time is a temporary resident of Slovakia.
Regime of no restrictions applies to companies (or generally legal bodies), which have their seat registered in the country and they are thus legally seen as Slovak residents. This opens a possibility for foreigners who can establish a company in Slovakia (which is rather easy) solely for the purpose of investment into a property. Either way, directly or indirectly, buying any real estate property in Slovakia is nowadays possible for anyone who is interested and has the required financial means.
Mortgages for Foreign Nationals in Slovakia
Concerning the financial terms, mortgages for foreign nationals are available in Slovakia. Banking sector in the country belongs to one of the most stable in EU. Slovak financial institutions lend money to foreign investors under the standard European conditions. Most often, it is possible to borrow as much as 70% of the item’s market price with the interest rates being around 4.5-7%. The whole process is not a daunting task and there are also several companies which assist foreign clients with their mortgages. The application itself should contain personal documentation, including the person’s passport, proof of residency, record of bank statements for six months, and a proof of employment and income.
The Process of Buying a Real Estate Property in Slovakia
It is possible to buy a real estate property in Slovakia without using assistance service. Even though, in general, it is recommended to buy property through real estate agency. There are plentiful possibilities to choose from, since the real estate agents market virtually boomed during the last decade. The serious agency should ensure a legal service for its clients, as well as preparation of documents which are needed for transfer of the ownership. Hiring a lawyer for preparing the contract is an option, too.
The costs of whole process of buying a real estate property in Slovakia by a foreigner are relatively not high. Preparation of sales contract should not exceed more than 700 EUR, administrative fees (including documentation from and for cadastre) mount to approximately 300 EUR, taxes are totally around 130 EUR annually. In 2005, real estate transfer tax was cancelled in Slovakia, so the purchase itself is not burdened, even though the property is still subject to income tax (which is currently 19%). The Income Tax Act rules this tax liability as the acquisition property price minus the selling price. The act, however, designs other options where the seller is not obliged to pay such tax, for example in a case of permanent residence in the given property for at least 2 years. Cost of the rental plan is around 200 EUR per year furthermore the rental profits undergo 19% tax.
The process of buying a real estate in Slovakia is usually not as much hindered by bureaucracy as in other EU countries since bureaucracy in the country was successfully cut by the reforms and is currently relatively low. After choosing a property, the purchaser is usually expected to secure the property by paying a 10% of the buying price as a deposit which also serves as initial sum for the commencement of legal processes. If a buyer changes his mind later, he receives the original amount of money back deducted by any expenses incurred by the agent. If no such expenses incurred, the agent has obligation to fully return the deposit.
Subsequently, the property report is made and the final contract prepared. Both parties sign the contract and the remaining amount of money is paid by the buyer. After this was completed, the documents shall be submitted to the Cadastral Registrar which discloses the new owner and reports any mortgages or other legal servitudes connected with the property. Such documentation informs about the legal state of the property and serves as a guarantee when properties are being sold. Nowadays, it is obligatory for seller to submit these papers to the real estate agency before having the property offered for purchase. The papers are valid only three months after issuance and safeguard the buyers from unwanted legal disputes. Hence it is recommended that the buyer asks for a copy of this document before paying remaining balance. Notary service is not required in this process.
After Slovakia became a member of the European Union in 2004, the real estate market has been growing quickly in the country. One of the reasons for such expansion was the fact that the market became open to investors coming from abroad. Legal restrictions on foreign ownership of real estate properties have been lifted – with the only exception for forest and agricultural land.
According to the country’s Mining Act 184/2002 Coll., foreigners are not allowed to purchase nor receive such property as a donation. Nevertheless, it is possible for foreigners to buy (or receive) agricultural and forest property in case that the person interested in the purchase pursued business activities on the land for at least three years and at the same time is a temporary resident of Slovakia.
Regime of no restrictions applies to companies (or generally legal bodies), which have their seat registered in the country and they are thus legally seen as Slovak residents. This opens a possibility for foreigners who can establish a company in Slovakia (which is rather easy) solely for the purpose of investment into a property. Either way, directly or indirectly, buying any real estate property in Slovakia is nowadays possible for anyone who is interested and has the required financial means.
Mortgages for Foreign Nationals in Slovakia
Concerning the financial terms, mortgages for foreign nationals are available in Slovakia. Banking sector in the country belongs to one of the most stable in EU. Slovak financial institutions lend money to foreign investors under the standard European conditions. Most often, it is possible to borrow as much as 70% of the item’s market price with the interest rates being around 4.5-7%. The whole process is not a daunting task and there are also several companies which assist foreign clients with their mortgages. The application itself should contain personal documentation, including the person’s passport, proof of residency, record of bank statements for six months, and a proof of employment and income.
The Process of Buying a Real Estate Property in Slovakia
It is possible to buy a real estate property in Slovakia without using assistance service. Even though, in general, it is recommended to buy property through real estate agency. There are plentiful possibilities to choose from, since the real estate agents market virtually boomed during the last decade. The serious agency should ensure a legal service for its clients, as well as preparation of documents which are needed for transfer of the ownership. Hiring a lawyer for preparing the contract is an option, too.
The costs of whole process of buying a real estate property in Slovakia by a foreigner are relatively not high. Preparation of sales contract should not exceed more than 700 EUR, administrative fees (including documentation from and for cadastre) mount to approximately 300 EUR, taxes are totally around 130 EUR annually. In 2005, real estate transfer tax was cancelled in Slovakia, so the purchase itself is not burdened, even though the property is still subject to income tax (which is currently 19%). The Income Tax Act rules this tax liability as the acquisition property price minus the selling price. The act, however, designs other options where the seller is not obliged to pay such tax, for example in a case of permanent residence in the given property for at least 2 years. Cost of the rental plan is around 200 EUR per year furthermore the rental profits undergo 19% tax.
The process of buying a real estate in Slovakia is usually not as much hindered by bureaucracy as in other EU countries since bureaucracy in the country was successfully cut by the reforms and is currently relatively low. After choosing a property, the purchaser is usually expected to secure the property by paying a 10% of the buying price as a deposit which also serves as initial sum for the commencement of legal processes. If a buyer changes his mind later, he receives the original amount of money back deducted by any expenses incurred by the agent. If no such expenses incurred, the agent has obligation to fully return the deposit.
Subsequently, the property report is made and the final contract prepared. Both parties sign the contract and the remaining amount of money is paid by the buyer. After this was completed, the documents shall be submitted to the Cadastral Registrar which discloses the new owner and reports any mortgages or other legal servitudes connected with the property. Such documentation informs about the legal state of the property and serves as a guarantee when properties are being sold. Nowadays, it is obligatory for seller to submit these papers to the real estate agency before having the property offered for purchase. The papers are valid only three months after issuance and safeguard the buyers from unwanted legal disputes. Hence it is recommended that the buyer asks for a copy of this document before paying remaining balance. Notary service is not required in this process.
Property for sale in Slovakia by private sellers and estate agents.
Process of buying real estate property in Slovakia is relatively simple, especially due to the fact there is no property transfer tax. Other real
estate-related taxes include flat 19% income tax applied on rentals and profits gained from selling the property. The real estate tax is determined by
the municipal authorities and its amount also depends on character of the property. There is no inheritance, neither purchase tax applicable.