How to Sell Your Romanian Property: A Step-by-Step Guide

The selling process in Romania is a legally rigorous procedure managed by the Notary Public (Notar Public). In 2026, the process has become increasingly digital, with a focus on cadastral accuracy and energy transparency to meet EU standards.

Step 1: Valuation and Agent Mandate

Your sale begins with an accurate valuation of your property. In Romania, prices can fluctuate significantly between urban hubs like Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca and rural areas.

During the valuation, the agent will:

• Verify Ownership: Review your Property Deed (Act de Proprietate), which could be a sale-purchase contract, a donation deed, or an inheritance certificate.

• Check Cadastral Registration: Confirm the property is correctly registered with the National Agency for Cadastre and Real Estate Advertising (ANCPI).

• Sign the Intermediation Contract: Establish the commission (typically 2% to 3% + VAT).

Step 4: The Mandatory “Document Bundle”

In Romania, a Notary cannot finalize a sale without a specific set of certificates. As of 2026, these are strictly enforced:

• Land Registry Extract (Extras de Carte Funciară): This is the most vital document. It shows the current owner and any mortgages or liens. For the final sale, the Notary must request a special “Authentication Extract” which is valid for only 10 working days.

• Energy Performance Certificate (Certificat de Performanță Energetică): Mandatory for all property listings and sales. It classifies the building from A to G and is valid for 10 years.

• Fiscal Certificate (Certificat de Atestare Fiscală): Issued by the local town hall, confirming that you have no outstanding property taxes. It is typically valid for 30 to 90 days.

• Utility Clearance: Proof that all bills (electricity, gas, water) and condominium fees (if applicable) are paid in full.

Step 3: The Antecontract (Preliminary Agreement)

Once an offer is accepted, it is common practice to sign a Promisiune de Vânzare-Cumpărare (Antecontract) before a Notary.

• The Advance (Avans): The buyer pays an advance, usually 5% to 10%.

• Legal Protections: If you, the seller, change your mind, the buyer can sue to have the court issue a ruling that replaces the final contract, or you may have to return double the advance.

• Due Diligence: This stage gives the buyer’s bank time to approve their mortgage.

Step 4: Completion at the Notary

The final transfer of ownership is executed via a Contract de Vânzare-Cumpărare authenticated by a Notary.

• The Notary’s Role: The Notary verifies all documents, ensures the property isn’t under litigation, and collects the State’s taxes.

• Secure Payment: In 2026, most payments are made via bank transfer. For large sums, the law requires the transaction to be cashless to prevent money laundering.

• Language: If you are not a Romanian speaker, a Certified Translator must be present to translate the contract aloud.

Step 5: Post-Sale Obligations and Taxes

Once the deed is signed, there are two final financial hurdles:

• Income Tax on Sale (Impozit pe Venit):

  • If you sell within 3 years of purchase, the tax is 3% on the sale value exceeding 450,000 RON.

  • If you have owned it for more than 3 years, the rate is reduced to 1% on the value exceeding the 450,000 RON threshold.

  Note: Taxes are subject to annual budgetary updates; the Notary collects this at the time of signing.

• Land Registry Registration: The Notary will automatically submit the new deed to the ANCPI to update the Land Book, officially making the buyer the new owner.

Medical Facilities Context

If you are preparing a listing for a property in a rural or semi-rural area, highlighting medical access is a major selling point. For example:

“Medical facilities are conveniently located, with a local GP right in the village for day-to-day needs. For more comprehensive care, a larger clinic is situated just 11 kilometers away in the nearby town, while the local regional hospital with a 24/7 emergency department is also within an 11-kilometer radius.”

Congratulations, you have successfully sold your Romanian property!