Real estate transaction legal support
From acquisition due diligence to title transfer and financing — senior legal support for residential, commercial, and development transactions. We handle the legal work so you can close the deal.
Six services that close real estate deals
Transaction due diligence
Full legal review of the property, title verification, encumbrance checks, planning status, and risk assessment before capital is committed
Sale and purchase agreements
Draft and negotiate binding SPAs, preliminary agreements, and transfer documents structured to protect your position through closing
Development projects
Legal support for land acquisition, permitting, construction contracts, and handover documentation on development transactions
Real estate financing
Mortgage structuring, pledge agreements, and lender legal support for property financing transactions across the Baltics
Commercial leases
Draft, review, and negotiate commercial lease agreements for office, retail, warehouse, and industrial premises
Regulatory compliance
Building permits, land use regulations, environmental requirements, and matters affecting real estate in Latvia
Questions
You need title verification to confirm ownership and check for liens or encumbrances. A planning status review ensures the property complies with zoning regulations. Environmental checks identify any contamination or restrictions. We also verify that all building permits and construction documentation are in order before you proceed.
Most residential transactions close within 4 to 8 weeks from signed agreement to registration. Commercial deals and development projects may take longer depending on complexity and financing requirements. Registration with the Land Registry typically takes 2 to 3 weeks after all documents are submitted.
Non-EU citizens may freely purchase urban residential and commercial property. Agricultural and forest land is subject to restrictions depending on the buyer's nationality, and municipal approval may be required. Additionally, citizens of Russia and Belarus and companies with significant Russian or Belarusian ownership are prohibited from acquiring any real estate in Latvia, with very limited exceptions. We advise on eligibility and structure transactions for foreign buyers.
A preliminary agreement outlines the parties' intent and key terms but is not binding on completion. A final sale and purchase agreement is the binding contract that specifies all conditions, price, and completion terms. Both documents are typically used in Latvian transactions to structure the deal properly.
The main cost is the state fee for registering ownership in the Land Register, which is 1.5% for a natural person as acquirer and 2% for a legal entity as acquirer of the property value or transaction price, or 3% for any party in case of a gift, capped at EUR 50,000, with reduced rates for close relatives, spouses, and certain other cases. Additionally, a stamp duty of approximately EUR 15 applies for the registration entry. Notary fees in relation to the transaction apply separately depending on the transaction structure.