Legal counsel for real estate transactions in Romania
Bucharest
Romania is our home base: a local law office in Bucharest, native Romanian and active development experience in the market. From buying an apartment to acquiring land and delivering a full project, the work is done in Romanian, directly with the notary, the land register and the local authorities.
- EU member stateSince 2007
- Schengen AreaSince 1 January 2025
- Land registerCartea Funciară
- Our officeBucharest
Why Israelis choose Romania
Romania is a European economy that has grown rapidly over the past two decades, and Bucharest has become a technology and business hub for Eastern Europe, home to major international companies. For an Israeli investor or developer, the combination of low entry prices compared with Israel and Western Europe, a short flight and a market that is still developing creates an opportunity. But an opportunity is not a plan, and what decides whether a transaction succeeds is what happens before signing.
What to know before you enter
- A legal system that differs from Israel’s: a public notary, a binding preliminary agreement (Antecontract) and registration in the Cartea Funciară.
- Restitution claims dating from the communist era and unpermitted alterations to buildings - problems you will not see on a viewing.
- Land and development projects: building permits, zoning (PUG/PUZ) and choosing the right holding structure from the outset.
- Currency exposure, local versus Israeli financing, and a properly executed power of attorney for signing remotely.
How we support you in Romania
- 1
Land acquisition and development
Supporting developers on local projects, from land to occupancy.
- 2
Partnership structure and local tax
Setting up the right structure (individual, SRL or partnership) under Romanian and Israeli law and tax.
- 3
Bank financing in Romania
Working with local banks, and weighing Israeli financing against Romanian financing.
- 4
Due diligence with the registry and authorities
A thorough local review of title, encumbrances and permits.
- 5
Title registration and handover
Signing before the notary and completing registration of title in your name.
- 6
Ongoing support in the native language
Direct communication with every party - no interpreter, no intermediaries.
Adv. Ilan Leibovitch is an Israeli attorney. Advice and acts under local law are carried out by lawyers and notaries licensed in the relevant country, coordinated by the office.
How it works in Romania
- 1
Initial registry search
Obtaining an extract from the Cartea Funciară: ownership, encumbrances and annotations.
- 2
Preliminary agreement (Antecontract)
A binding agreement before a notary, with a deposit and defined conditions.
- 3
Full due diligence
Permits, zoning status, debts, claims and physical condition.
- 4
Signing before a notary
The final deed of sale, in person or by power of attorney.
- 5
Registering the property in your name
Registering title in the land register and settling obligations with the authorities.
Why us
Adv. Leibovitch is a native Romanian speaker and is also active in the Romanian market as a real estate developer. He reads documents in the original language, works directly with notaries, surveyors and local authorities, and coordinates with locally licensed lawyers the steps that Romanian law requires.
Video course: investing in Romanian real estate, with Adv. Ilan Leibovitch
Six short episodes, from 'why now' to the mortgage. Watch here on the page (in Hebrew).
Episode 1
Why now? Real estate investment in Romania
Episode 2
Truth vs myth: what the Romanian property market really looks like
Episode 3
5 steps to buying property in Romania
Episode 4
9 mistakes property investors make in Romania
Episode 5
Property tax in Romania: how much, and avoiding double taxation
Episode 6
How to get a mortgage on a property in Romania
When you press play, the video is served by YouTube (Google) under its privacy policy. Nothing loads from YouTube before that. Open the playlist on YouTube
Guides · Romania
A Will for an Israeli With Property in Romania: Choice of Law, Form of the Will and Coordination With the Will in Israel
How to write a will that works for property in Romania: Regulation 650/2012 and choice of law, notarial or handwritten wills, reserved shares, the Israeli will.Who May Buy What in Romania by Passport: Building, Land and Agricultural Land, Citizenship by Citizenship
One table: what a Romanian, EU, Swiss, British, Israeli, US, Moldovan, Ukrainian, Russian or Gulf passport holder may register in Romania, and on what basis.Bare Ownership and Usufruct (uzufruct) in Romania: Transferring the House to Your Children and Continuing to Live in It
Splitting a Romanian property into bare ownership and usufruct: what each side may do, who repairs, how to register, the tax and when the right ends.Renting a Home in Romania Before Buying: Tenant Rights, Registering the Lease With ANAF and What to Check Before Signing
Renting in Romania before buying: what the Civil Code says on notice, eviction, repairs and deposits, and why registering a lease with ANAF matters to tenants.Israelis With Russian or Belarusian Citizenship Buying Property in Romania: Sanctions, Banks, Registration and Which Passport to Use
An Israeli with Russian or Belarusian citizenship can buy in Romania. The limits are at the bank: a 100,000 euro deposit cap, cards and source-of-funds checks.A Glossary for a Real Estate Transaction in Romania: What the Words You Will Meet in the Extract, the Contract and at the Notary Mean
About 35 Romanian terms Israeli buyers will meet: land register, Superficie, preliminary contract, notary, permit, VAT, property tax, IRCC, with the law.Romania and the Euro: What the Changeover Will and Will Not Change for Those Holding Property or a Mortgage in Romania
Romania must adopt the euro, but there is no binding date. What the changeover would change for property owners, contracts and lei mortgages, and what not.Buying a Resale House in Romania: Unregistered Additions, Old Permits, Debts and the Energy Certificate
An existing house in Romania comes with past owners' history: additions without a permit, partial registration, open bills, energy certificate. What to check.
Frequently asked questions
Can an Israeli buy an apartment in Romania in their own name?
Yes. Apartments may be acquired in a private name. Acquiring land raises further questions, and it is sometimes advisable to do so through a Romanian company - a decision made before signing, according to the type of property, the objective and the tax position.
Do I need to travel to Romania to sign?
Not necessarily. You can sign through a notarial power of attorney with an apostille and a certified translation. We prepare the documents in Israel and oversee the signing in Bucharest.
How long does a transaction in Romania take?
A straightforward resale transaction can be completed within a few weeks, from due diligence to signing. An off-plan project or land for development takes longer, mainly because of permits.
Considering a transaction in Romania?
A sound international transaction begins long before signing. A short introductory call will clarify whether, and how, we are the right firm to support you.
- Office
- 7 Hanafat HaDegel St., Ness Ziona, Israel
- Bucharest
- Bucharest, Romania