Slovakia Set to Overhaul Real Estate Data Access with New Cadastre Law
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A notable shift is coming to how the public accesses property information in Slovakia, as a proposed law introduces registration requirements and fees for detailed land registry data.
Slovakia’s land registry, known as the cadastre, is poised for its most considerable update in years. The Office of Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre (ÚGKK) has unveiled a draft amendment that will fundamentally alter public access to real estate data, potentially ending the current system of anonymous and free online access to title deeds.
According to the proposed legislation,all users will be required to register – a process that will be free of charge – to create a verifiable digital record of who is accessing sensitive cadastral information. “Each user should create a new registration…so that there is a digital trail of who accesses the cadastre data,” explained a senior official at the ÚGKK.
While basic property information will remain publicly available without registration, detailed data – including owner names, shareholdings, and any existing liabilities – will be accessible only to registered users. A key component of the amendment is the introduction of a fee for an official electronic certificate of ownership, intended for legal purposes.Citizens will pay a fee of 6 euros to obtain this document.
Impact on Real Estate Professionals
The changes are expected to have a notable impact on the real estate sector. Currently, agencies often need to visit the cadastre in person to obtain title deeds. The new system promises to streamline this process. “When you register and pay a fee, it will issue you a title deed…via the Internet. This is a big plus and it will save us a lot of running around at the cadastre,” stated Daniela Rážová, a real estate broker and executive director of BOND reality.
However, industry representatives also acknowledge that the new system will likely translate to increased costs for clients. Ján Palenčár, president of the National Association of Real Estate Agencies of the Slovak Republic, pointed out that agencies frequently consult ownership information sheets multiple times during a single transaction. “Such a case is overpriced by dozens of euros, and the client pays for this overpricing,” he noted.
Strengthening Data Protection and Security
Beyond streamlining access for professionals, the amendment aims to bolster the protection of personal data and enhance the security of the cadastral system. A legal expert specializing in data protection emphasized that social security numbers will be restricted to access by the individual to whom they pertain – the property owner.
The move comes in response to past cyber attacks targeting the cadastre. The new system will allow law enforcement to track and identify suspicious activity, such as repeated inquiries about the properties of vulnerable individuals. “Law enforcement authorities will be able to identify persons who repeatedly inspect,for example,the properties of senior citizens or lonely people. This is one of the most common modus operandi of fraudsters today,” added a senior official.
If approved by parliament, the new cadastral law is expected to take effect in early 2024. The ÚGKK is currently conducting public consultations to gather feedback on the proposed changes before submitting the final draft to lawmakers.
Who: The key players are the Office of Geodesy,Cartography and Cadastre (ÚGKK) proposing the law,Slovakian parliament who must approve it,real estate professionals (BOND reality,National Association of Real
