Glossary · Law and contract
Easement (Dienstbarkeit)
A right registered in the land register that allows someone else to use another person's plot in a specific way.
Typical examples are a right of way and a utility line right; a right of residence or usufruct works in a similar way. The easement remains in place when the property is sold and passes to the buyer. It can lower the value considerably because it restricts use permanently.
Where it appears in the report
Easements appear in the report when a land register extract is uploaded; the rules per country are on the Easements page.
Common questions about it
Does a right of residence disappear when the property is sold?
No. It is registered in the land register and binds the new owner too, until the holder waives it or the right ends.
Related terms in the glossary
- Land register extract (Grundbuchauszug)
- Right of first refusal (Vorkaufsrecht)
- Liability for defects (Mängelhaftung)
Last updated: 2026-09-15