Property Ownership Certificate: How to Download Online and What to Check
Published 20 October 2026
You can view a property ownership certificate free of charge using the Czech Land Registry public interface (Nahlížení do katastru nemovitostí), where you simply search for the plot, building, or unit. To obtain an officially certified copy, use Czech POINT, the local Land Registry office, or remote access. Before selling, verify the owners and their shares, property details, and restrictions in sections C and D.
Summary
- Free preview of the ownership certificate is available online; certified copies are obtained via Czech POINT, Land Registry office, or remote access.
- Key sections are A (owners and shares), B (properties), and C (mortgages, easements, and restrictions).
- Section D shows notes such as enforcement proceedings or insolvency, and pending registration applications.
- Ownership rights transfer only upon registration in the Czech Land Registry; check the certificate both before signing and after registration.
What is a Property Ownership Certificate and Why You Need It
The property ownership certificate (list vlastnictví) is the basic output from the Czech Land Registry (Katastr nemovitostí). It contains a description of the properties, their owners, and recorded rights and restrictions. The Land Registry is governed by the Cadastral Act No. 256/2013 Coll. According to the Civil Code No. 89/2012 Coll., ownership of a property is acquired only through registration in the public register, that is, by entry into the Land Registry. Therefore, this document shows who is the legal owner.
For a seller, the ownership certificate is the first check. You can verify that the data corresponds to reality and will not be surprised by a mortgage or enforcement action that you had forgotten about. Every buyer will verify the same during negotiations, just as we do. A general overview of the Land Registry can be found in the guide Cadastral Registry for Property Owners.
How to Obtain a Property Ownership Certificate Online
There are two routes, which differ in their legal weight.
Public Access to the Land Registry
In the public application Nahlížení do katastru nemovitostí, you enter the address, plot number, building number, or unit (flat), and the property ownership certificate is displayed. It is free and requires no registration. The output is informational in nature; it is not an official document, but it is sufficient for your own verification.
Officially Certified Copy
If you need a copy for a bank, notary, or contract, request an officially certified extract. You can obtain it:
- at a Czech POINT contact point,
- at the Land Registry office,
- electronically via remote access to the Land Registry, which requires registration and is charged according to the current fee schedule.
When searching, proceed with the most reliable information. The plot number or unit identifier is more precise than the address, because the address in the Land Registry may not always match the building number or street number.
How the Property Ownership Certificate is Structured
The certificate is divided into sections marked with letters. Each answers a different question.
| Section | Contents |
|---|---|
| A | Owners or other entitled persons and their shares |
| B | Properties: plots of land, buildings, units |
| B1 | Rights connected with property ownership, such as rights benefiting the owner |
| C | Restrictions on ownership: mortgages, easements, and others |
| D | Notes and other data |
| E | Acquisition of ownership, that is, the legal basis and deed |
| F | Other entries, for example relating to Land Registry administration |
Pay the most attention to sections A, B, C, and D. Section E shows the basis of ownership, such as a purchase contract, inheritance, or gift.
What to Check in Each Section
Section A: Owners and Shares
Verify the name, surname or company name, address, and share fraction for each co-owner. If you own the property with others, the consent of all co-owners is required to sell the entire property. For married couples, check whether the property is registered in the common property of spouses or only in one of them. It is better to correct any errors in the record immediately, not at the time of signing the contract.
Section B: Properties
Compare the plot number, type of land, use category, and area with the actual situation and with the documents you have at home. Find out whether the building is recorded as a separate property or as part of the land, and whether it stands on someone else's land. Also check whether all buildings you believe belong to the property are registered, such as a garage or extension. For a flat, note the unit designation and share in the common parts of the building.
Section C: Mortgages, Easements, and Restrictions
Here you will mainly find:
- Mortgage (§ 1309 et seq. of Civil Code No. 89/2012 Coll.), most often in favour of a bank for a loan,
- Easements (§ 1257 et seq. of the same Act), for example right of residence, right of way, or right of way for utilities,
- Other restrictions, such as a prohibition on transfer or a pre-emptive right.
A mortgage does not prevent sale automatically, but it must be resolved, typically by paying off the debt from the purchase price and then removing the mortgage entry. An easement usually passes to the new owner, so it significantly affects the value and interest of buyers.
Section D: Notes
Important entries about whether the property is affected by, for example, enforcement proceedings, execution, or insolvency proceedings. These are governed by the Enforcement Rules No. 120/2001 Coll., the Civil Procedure Code No. 99/1963 Coll., and the Insolvency Act No. 182/2006 Coll. If such an entry appears here, sale is possible, but it requires coordination with the enforcement officer or insolvency administrator. Further details can be found on the Real Estate Purchase in Enforcement page.
Next Steps: Pending Registration and Applications in Progress
The Land Registry also displays information about ongoing proceedings, where an application for registration has already been submitted, but the entry has not yet been made. This is important because under the Cadastral Act No. 256/2013 Coll., the Land Registry must not decide before 20 days have passed since notifying the owner. The average registration time is approximately 22 days. If the ownership certificate shows pending proceedings that you are not aware of, find out from the Land Registry what is happening before you sign anything.
It is worthwhile to check the property ownership certificate shortly before signing the contract and after the registration entry is made. The first time so that you have the current status, the second time as confirmation that the new owner is registered correctly.
What to Do If There's a Discrepancy in the Certificate
A discrepancy between the Land Registry and reality is resolved according to the nature of the error:
- Incorrect data on a person or plot: file a request with the Land Registry to correct the error in the cadastral record according to the Cadastral Act No. 256/2013 Coll.
- Unregistered building or change of use: supporting documents are required, such as documentation and a building permit or other certificate according to the Building Act No. 283/2021 Coll., or earlier regulations.
- Mortgage after loan repayment: provide the creditor's consent to remove the mortgage entry.
- Unregistered inheritance: the heir's acquisition must first be registered on the basis of a final court decision.
If you are unsure, use a lawyer. Our comprehensive legal services are included in the purchase price; we work without additional fees, and payment is made through lawyer's escrow.
Property Ownership Certificate and Real Estate Purchase
In buying real estate, we rely on the property ownership certificate. It helps us assess who is authorised to sell, which entries need to be resolved, and how the process will proceed. We prepare a written offer within 24 hours with a detailed cost breakdown; the offer is non-binding, and you may withdraw at any time before signing the contract. Upon signing the purchase contract, you may pay a deposit of up to CZK 1,000,000. Property purchase is available throughout the Czech Republic, including Prague. A complete overview of our services can be found on the main page.
Payment must be made cashless, through lawyer's escrow. Cash payment is limited to CZK 270,000 per day under Act No. 254/2004 Coll.