Completion Time Frame: 7 days (simultaneous with procedure 2)
Completion Costs: AOA 1,550
Points to Note:
An updated ownership certificate is obtained from the relevant Real Estate Registry. It sets out a full description of the property, including information on its owner and any charges, liens or encumbrances pending over the property.

Step 2: Obtain an updated Tax Certificate from the Tax Office

Completion Time Frame: 7 days (simultaneous with procedure 1)
Completion Costs: AOA 1,500
Points to Note:
An updated tax certificate is obtained from the relevant Tax Office, detailing the description of the property.

Step 3: Pay conveyance tax (SISA) and stamp duty

Completion Time Frame: 1 day
Completion Costs: 10% of property value (conveyance tax) + 0.8% of property value (stamp duty)
Points to Note:
Typically, this is only paid when the parties have agreed between them and with a notary public a fixed date for the execution of the required notary deed. A receipt will be issued by the tax authorities, which will then be given to the notary public as part of Step 4 below. The 0.8% Stamp Duty is payable on the SISA receipt.

The documentation shall include:
A statement by the seller setting out the sales value or a copy of the Promissory Agreement of Sale and Purchase signed by both parties.

Step 4: Execute the deed of transfer before a notary public

Completion Time Frame: 15 days
Completion Costs: Already paid in Step 3
Points to Note:
A notary public executes the deed of transfer.
From this moment onwards, the buyer is the lawful owner of the property in light of the transaction. Registration is needed for publicity purposes and protection against third parties.

The documentation shall include:

• Proof of payment of conveyance tax (obtained in Step 3)
• Updated registry certificate from Land Registry (obtained in Step 1)
• Updated tax certificate from Tax Office (obtained in Step 2)
• Personal identification documents of the buyer and seller (passports, identity card, etc.)
• Registry of Companies’ Certificates if seller and buyer are companies, so as to provide evidence that the officer executing the deed on behalf of the corresponding company has authority to do so.

Step 5: Apply for provisional registration at the Land Registry Office

Completion Time Frame: 5 days
Completion Costs: Value of property Fee per 30 UCF (UCF) Number Amount
a) up to 60 UCF = 6 = 6 * 2 = 12.00
b) from 60 UCF to 400 UCF = 9 * ((400 -60))/30 = 102.00
c) from 400 UCF to 4000 UCF = 10 * ((4000-400)/30) = 1,200.00
d) above 4000 UCF = 0.05 * ((property value – 4000)/30)) =327.42

Total registration fee (UCF) = 1,641.42
Total registration fee (AOA) = 1 641.42 * 53 = 86,995.26
Points to Note:
The notarized deed certificate must be presented to apply for provisional registration at the Land Registry Office.
It is no longer necessary to apply for provisional registration at the Tax Office as final registration with the tax office is processed much quicker than with the Real Estate Registry.

Step 6: Receive definitive registration from the Real Estate Registry

Completion Time Frame: 300 days (10 months)
Completion Costs: Already paid in Step 5
Points to Note:
This procedure is a conversion, not a new act of registration and it will take place approximately 10 months after provisional registration. The procedure takes so long because there is a backlog, all records are paper-based and the entire history of transactions relevant to the property must be checked every time.

Procedure 7: Apply for definitive registration at the Tax Office

Completion Time Frame: 5 days
Completion Costs: AOA 105
Points to Note:
At the tax office, there is only final registration. Provisional registration is no longer applicable, as final registration has become considerably faster.