Buying a Flat in Prague: What Foreigners Should Actually Check
Updated: Oct 1
All articles in: Property & Investment | All topics
For a foreign buyer, the important question is not only whether the apartment looks good.
It is whether the legal, technical and financial picture makes sense.
1. Check the Land Register
The Czech katastr nemovitostí is central to the purchase.
Check the registered owner and the legal status of the property.
Look for:
ownership;
liens;
mortgages;
easements;
restrictions;
and pending proceedings.
Do not rely only on the estate listing.
2. Understand the building
An apartment is part of a building.
Review the SVJ (the homeowners' association) where applicable.
Ask for:
financial statements;
planned major repairs;
meeting minutes;
service charges;
reserve funds;
and information about outstanding obligations.
3. Review renovations
If the apartment has been substantially renovated, ask whether the relevant permissions and documentation exist.
A beautiful renovation is not automatically a legally documented renovation.
4. Read the purchase contract properly
The contract should be reviewed before money moves.
Pay particular attention to:
purchase price;
deposit;
escrow arrangements;
conditions for releasing funds;
cadastral registration;
warranties;
and what happens if registration is rejected.
5. Remember that the old acquisition tax is gone
The Czech real-estate acquisition tax was abolished in 2020.
That does not mean buying property has no taxes or costs. Income tax, property tax, legal fees, registration and other costs can still be relevant depending on the transaction.
6. Property ownership is not residence
An Israeli can purchase property without that automatically creating a Czech residence permit.
Investment and immigration should be treated as separate decisions.
7. Inspect the apartment
Check:
moisture;
windows;
heating;
electricity;
plumbing;
noise;
common areas;
roof;
cellar;
and the building's general condition.
A-Z GRP
A-Z GRP is not a real-estate broker.
We help clients organize the practical questions around a Czech property purchase and coordinate with lawyers, surveyors, accountants and other professionals where needed.
The goal is simple: understand what you are buying before the money moves.
