Property
Registro de la Propiedad inscription completes the transfer
Ecuador follows the Chilean Bello tradition: a notarial deed followed by inscription in the cantonal Registro de la Propiedad performs the tradición that transfers ownership. Municipalities administer the registries and levy the alcabala transfer tax and a capital-gains style plusvalía charge on the increase in value.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — National civil law with cantonal municipal registries
- Deadline — Ordinary acquisitive prescription: five years; extraordinary: 15 years
- Deadline — Municipal transfer taxes payable before inscription
Governing law
- Código Civil del Ecuador
- Ley del Sistema Nacional de Registro de Datos Públicos
- Código Orgánico de Organización TerritorialCOOTAD
In practice
Because registries are municipal under the COOTAD, procedures and fees differ between cantons, and the certificado de gravámenes must be obtained from the specific canton where the property sits. The plusvalía tax on the gain between purchase and sale prices is calculated by the municipality and, unlike the alcabala, falls on the seller.