Property data in the Czech Land Registry: how to find the owner and what the Certificate of Ownership reveals
Published 30 October 2026
You can find the property owner for free on the public website of the Czech Land Registry: simply enter the address, parcel number or property number and open the Certificate of Ownership (List vlastnictví). This will show you the owner, property description, mortgages, enforcement actions and easements. The Certificate does not include the purchase price, which is normally found only in the purchase agreement.
Summary
- You can find the owner, encumbrances and basic property information online through the Czech Land Registry website.
- The Certificate of Ownership is key: section A lists the owners, section B the property details, section C restrictions and mortgages.
- The purchase price is not on the Certificate; it may be in the contract stored in the Registry's archive, but is not always accessible.
- You will not see the full ownership history online; earlier records can be found at the Land Registry office.
- Before buying or selling, always check section C, verify any seals and confirm there are no pending change of ownership proceedings.
What the Czech Land Registry is and what it reveals about a property
The Czech Land Registry (Katastr nemovitostí) is a public record maintained by the Land Registry Office under Act No. 256/2013 Coll. It records land, buildings, flats and commercial units, their owners and rights associated with them. Entries are public and can be viewed by anyone who correctly identifies the property.
You will find in particular:
- who is registered as the owner and in what share,
- what type of property it is, its size and location,
- whether it is encumbered by a mortgage, enforcement action or easement,
- the legal basis on which the owner acquired the property.
For a more detailed guide for owners, see Czech Land Registry: guide for owners.
How to use the Czech Land Registry website step by step
The public application of the Czech Office for Surveying, Mapping and Cadastre is available at nahlizenidokn.cuzk.gov.cz. Access is free and requires no registration.
- Open the application and choose property search. Select land, building or unit depending on the object type.
- Enter the identification. The most reliable method is to use the cadastral area together with the parcel number, or for a building use the house or registration number. You can also try entering the address, but for older houses or land it may be less reliable.
- Verify the correct property. A building stands on land, so the land and the building may have separate entries. Check that the building is registered and on which land it stands.
- Open the Certificate of Ownership. From the property details displayed, proceed to the Certificate of Ownership where all essential information is found.
- Save your results. Save or print the page for your own records. For official purposes and dealings with authorities or banks, you will need an official certificate issued by the Land Registry office or public administration contact point.
If you are unsure about identification, start with the map. Clicking on a plot will display its number and links to further information.
How to read the Certificate of Ownership
The Certificate of Ownership is divided into sections marked with letters. Each answers a different question.
| Section | What it contains | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| A | Owners and other entitled persons | Here you find who owns the property and in what share. |
| B | Property and its description | Type, size, use, component parts and rights associated with the property. |
| C | Restrictions on ownership rights | Mortgages, easements, enforcement orders, restrictions on alienation. |
| D | Other entries | For example notes on other facts relating to the property. |
| E | Acquisition titles and other bases for registration | For example purchase agreement, inheritance decision or gift agreement. |
| F | List of flats and commercial units | For buildings with units, shows the units and co-ownership shares. |
In section A, for individuals you will see the name and information to the extent permitted by Act No. 256/2013 Coll.; identity numbers are not published. For legal entities, you see the company name and identification number. Where there are multiple owners, each share is shown. This is important when discussing, for example, purchase of a share in a property.
Where to find the price and ownership history
This is where expectations often diverge from reality.
Price
The Certificate of Ownership does not include the purchase price. Price is contractual information found in the purchase agreement. The contract on which the registration is based is kept in the Registry's archive. Whether and to what extent it is accessible online varies depending on the age and type of document, so do not rely on it. Moreover, the price in the contract tells you nothing about current market value; that depends on condition, location and demand. For guidance, see free property valuation.
Ownership history
The online application shows primarily the current status. Information about the basis on which the current owner acquired the property is found in section E. Earlier states and previous owners can be found in the archive and document collection at the relevant Land Registry office. You can also request a certificate or inspection of documents in person.
Changes in progress
Note any records of pending proceedings. Ownership passes only upon registration in the Land Registry. The Land Registry Office cannot decide before 20 days from notification of the owner, and the average time for registration is about 22 days. The registered owner may therefore differ from the actual status of contracts during proceedings.
What to watch out for before buying or selling
The certificate will reveal risks that fundamentally affect the price and course of the transaction.
- Mortgage. Typically a bank mortgage. When selling, it is usually settled by cancellation from the sale proceeds.
- Enforcement order or enforcement in progress. Governed by the Code of Enforcement Procedure No. 120/2001 Coll. The property can be sold, but the process is more complex. See purchase of property in enforcement.
- Easement. For example a right of residence or right to run utilities; remains even after change of owner.
- Multiple owners. General pre-emption rights of co-owners have been abolished. A pre-emption right lasts only six months from creation of co-ownership if the share arose by inheritance (§ 1124 of Civil Code No. 89/2012 Coll.).
- Discrepancy between the Registry and reality. An unregistered extension or different use of the land can complicate financing and sale.
Treat Registry information as an initial check, not as complete legal due diligence. For your own sale, it is sensible to have the contract and purchase price escrow arranged by a solicitor. For property purchase through Výkupy.eu, legal services are included in the price and payment is made by bank transfer via attorney escrow, as cash payments are limited to 270,000 CZK per day (Act No. 254/2004 Coll.).
Data protection and responsible use of information
The fact that Registry data is public does not mean it can be used for any purpose. Process the owner's personal information only to the extent necessary, for example to prepare a purchase offer, and respect data protection rules. If you contact the owner, do so courteously and professionally. They may decline your offer and have no obligation to reply.
If you are considering a quick sale yourself, first check your own Certificate of Ownership. Errors in registration, an unregistered easement or overlooked co-owner can delay the sale. You can then request a non-binding offer. Property purchase is available throughout the Czech Republic, a written offer with calculation breakdown is provided within 24 hours, and you can withdraw until the contract is signed.