Real estate transactions in Romania may total 23 billion euro this year, according to preliminary estimates from Romania's notary chamber UNNPR.

Revenues from taxes on property sales, registered with notaries, accounted for 1.2 billion lei (360 million euro) last year, marking a more than fourfold increase on 2006.

Тaxes on real estate sales, collected by the notaries in January-November period last year, stood at 1.065 billion lei. Another 30 per cent increase is expected in 2008, primarily due to property price growth, according to UNNPR.

Romania changed its property taxation system in 2007. Until then, it comprised stamp duties and 16 per cent tax on property transactions between individuals, who sell at a profit. However, all real estate deals involving individuals became taxable last year regardless of whether the owner sells at a loss or profit.