Selling a Property from Abroad: How It Works Without Physical Presence in the Czech Republic

What You Need to Sell a Property from Abroad

Selling from abroad works almost the same way as selling within the Czech Republic; the only difference is the method of signing and document delivery.

A contract for the sale of a property must be in writing, and ownership changes only when registered at the Czech Land Registry (katastr nemovitostí) under Act No. 256/2013 Coll. You do not need to be physically present at the Land Registry or with the buyer. You will need three things:

• a valid identity document and information about the property (title deed from the Czech Land Registry, details of any mortgages or rights of use),
• a way to express your intent legally and binding from a distance—either a power of attorney (plná moc) or a contract signed with official verification,
• a bank account (Czech or foreign) to receive the sale price from the lawyer's escrow (advokátní úschova).

If the property is jointly owned by spouses (společné jmění manželů) or owned by multiple co-owners (spoluvlastnictví), all owners must act together, or through their authorised representatives.

Power of Attorney: The Easiest Way to Be Represented

In practice, sales from abroad are most often handled through a power of attorney (plná moc), which authorises a lawyer or trusted person to act on your behalf.

Representation by power of attorney is governed by the Czech Civil Code (Občanský zákoník č. 89/2012 Sb., §441 onwards). Your representative then signs the contract, files the registration application and collects documents. In practice, note that:

• the power of attorney should be specific—identifying the property, the buyer or at least the type of transaction, and including authority to file the registration application,
• the Czech Land Registry Act (Katastrální zákon č. 256/2013 Sb.) requires high standards for signatures in registration proceedings, so plan for a certified signature,
• the broader the power of attorney, the greater the risk of misuse; choose someone you can trust, ideally a lawyer bound by confidentiality.

Before signing, have a lawyer review the scope and wording of your power of attorney. Legal services are included as part of our offering—see complete legal services for more details.

Signature Verification Abroad and Electronic Signing

You can have your signature verified abroad, and if the document format allows, you can sign electronically.

You typically have these options:

1. Czech embassy or consulate (velvyslanectví or konzulát)—will verify your signature on a power of attorney or document for use in the Czech Republic. Advance booking is often required.
2. Foreign notary or other authorised official—the document may require additional verification (apostille or higher certification), depending on whether your country is a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention or has a special treaty with the Czech Republic.
3. Qualified electronic signature—if the contract and related filings are conducted electronically, it may be accepted as equivalent to a handwritten signature. Check in advance with the relevant Land Registry office whether they accept it.

Documents in a foreign language usually require a translation into Czech by a certified court translator. Requirements vary by country, so it is advisable to discuss the procedure with a lawyer before signing.

Notarial Deed, Document Delivery and Long-Distance Communication

A notarial deed (notářský zápis) is usually not required, but it is useful when you want certainty about the form and delivery.

A property sales contract does not legally require a notarial deed; usually a written contract with certified signatures is sufficient. A notarial deed or lawyer's escrow (advokátní úschova) is used mainly when you need to safely handle payment and transfer of the property.

Long-distance communication works as follows:

• contracts, notices and confirmations are sent by e-mail and stored in your representative's mailbox,
• original documents are sent by courier or collected by your representative,
• delivery abroad may be slower, so appoint a representative for service, or use an electronic mailbox (datová schránka).

If your address with the authorities is abroad, remember to keep it up to date so mail does not go undelivered.

Payment and Transfer of Ownership: Escrow, Registration and Taxes

Safe long-distance sales rely on lawyer's escrow (advokátní úschova) and registration at the Land Registry, not cash payments.

The sale price is held in lawyer's escrow and released after conditions are met, typically after registration. Cash payments are limited to 270,000 Kč per day (Act No. 254/2004 Coll.), so professional transactions are conducted electronically.

The property transfer tax has been abolished (Act No. 386/2020 Coll.). Income tax on the sale is governed by Act No. 586/1992 Coll. and depends on factors such as the time of ownership and whether you lived in the property. As a non-resident, you may have additional obligations, so contact the Czech Tax Authority (Finanční správa) or a tax adviser.

What to Do Now

First, gather your documents and request a non-binding offer; you do not need to plan a trip to the Czech Republic.

1. Prepare information about the property: address, Land Registry title number, details of any mortgages, enforcement proceedings or tenants.
2. Find out where you can have your signature verified (Czech embassy or consulate, or a notary in your country) and what translation requirements apply.
3. Decide whom to appoint as your representative—preferably a lawyer.
4. Fill in the form below. You will receive a non-binding written offer within 24 hours and can withdraw before signing the contract.

For details of the full process, see How property purchase works; for information on payment and cash purchases, see Property purchase for cash. We purchase properties throughout the Czech Republic and legal services, including lawyer's escrow, are included in the price with no additional fees.