The Nordis Law has been adopted by the Romanian Parliament.

The Nordis Law introduces new rules for real estate transactions.

LThe Nordis Law will change the way real estate transactions are carried out for residential projects that are still under construction. The main purpose of this law is to create a safer framework for you, as a homebuyer, and to increase accountability among real estate developers.

What the Nordis Law Provides

The Nordis Law limits both the amount and the duration of an apartment reservation. A client may pay no more than 5% of the property price to reserve it, and the reservation is valid for a maximum of 60 days. Within this period, either a preliminary sale agreement or the final contract must be signed.
If the developer fails to complete the necessary documentation on time, the amount paid by the client must be refunded within a maximum of 30 days.

Advance Payments Limited Based on Construction Stage

The law also introduces clear caps on advance payments that can be collected before project completion:

• At the signing of the reservation agreement, the developer may collect up to 5% of the total property value.
• Up to 25% may be requested after the structural framework is completed.
• An additional 20% may be collected after the completion of installations (plumbing, electrical, heating).

In total, the advance paid to the developer must not exceed 50% of the property price before the project is fully completed.

Dedicated Bank Accounts for Each Project

All advance payments made by buyers must be deposited into a bank account dedicated exclusively to that specific project. The use of these funds for any other purpose is prohibited.
Failure to comply may result in penalties of up to 1% of the developer’s turnover.

The Preliminary Sale Agreement Must Be Registered in the Land Registry

The registration of the preliminary sale agreement in the Land Registry becomes mandatory, but only after a valid building permit exists and an updated Land Registry extract is available for the respective property.
This process eliminates the risk of multiple sales of the same unit and increases transparency for future owners.

What the Nordis Law Means for Real Estate Developers

The Nordis Law changes how developers plan, finance, and manage residential projects. For the industry, the law represents both a challenge and an opportunity.

Challenges

• The need for stricter financial discipline, as advance payments are now limited.
• The adaptation of internal processes to the new rules: dedicated accounts, strict reservation deadlines, and mandatory Land Registry documentation.
• More careful cash-flow planning, since developers can no longer freely use advance payments collected from sales.

Opportunities

• Increased buyer confidence, contributing to the maturation of the real estate market.
• Alignment with European standards, where payments are made according to construction stages.
• The elimination of non-compliant developers, strengthening reputable and responsible brands.

What It Means for Homebuyers

For you, as a future homeowner, the law provides clear guarantees:

• Greater transparency regarding the actual stage of construction.
• Lower risk of unfinished projects.
• Protection of the amounts paid in advance.
• Full clarity regarding the purchased apartment through Land Registry registration.

Overall, the law creates a framework in which clients can make informed decisions and invest with greater confidence.

HILS Development’s Position

At HILS Development, we believe that the Nordis Law reflects a natural and necessary evolution of the Romanian real estate market toward a more mature model, with greater responsibility and lower risk for all parties involved.
As always, we remain committed in all our projects not only to comply with the letter of the law, but also with its spirit: transparency, customer security, quality, and responsibility in delivery.

We will continue to build responsibly and to inform our clients in real time about project progress, financing, completion deadlines, and all relevant aspects, ensuring that every transaction is secure and well-founded.

Visit our sales offices to learn more about HILS projects.