Property
Lei de Terras with state ownership of land and transferable surface rights
The Lei de Terras (Lei 9/04) vests original ownership of land in the state, with private parties holding transferable surface rights (direito de superfÃcie) and useful domain over urban land. Rural community land is recognised. Registration is with the Conservatória do Registo Predial.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — The Conservatória do Registo Predial registers rights; provincial courts hear land disputes.
Governing law
- Lei de Terras (Lei 9/04) — state ownership; direito de superfÃcie
- Código Civil 1966 (as received and amended) — property provisions
- Código do Registo Predial
In practice
The distinction between the state's original ownership and the private surface right is the operative one for any Angolan real-estate transaction: what is bought, sold and mortgaged is a right over land rather than the land itself, and the duration and renewal terms of that right determine its value.