Promise of Sale in Malta: Understanding the Konvenju

The promise of sale, commonly called the konvenju, is not a casual reservation. It records the parties’ commitment, conditions and timetable before the final deed. For current official information, see Buying Your New Home in Malta.

Have the notary explain the deposit, finance and search conditions, property description, included items, vacant possession, permit issues, deadlines and consequences of default before signing.

Before and after signing the promise of sale

Choose your notary and provide all buyer details early.
Agree price, property, inclusions and vacant-possession terms precisely.
Add conditions for finance, AIP, title, permits or sale of another property where needed.
Set realistic expiry and evidence deadlines.
Understand the deposit, when it is held and when it may be forfeited or returned.
After signing, follow up searches, loan, permit and tax steps rather than waiting for expiry. Check MTCA's general information on duty with the notary for the current tax process.
Complete a final inspection before the deed.

A konvenju is a commitment, not a viewing reservation

Conditions protect specific risks

A finance or satisfactory-search condition must be drafted clearly enough to work as intended.

The property must be identified

Plans, garages, airspace, common rights and movable items should not be left to assumption.

Deadlines need management

The provisional duty filing, searches, permits, loan and final-deed date must be coordinated.

Clauses to discuss with the notary

What exactly must happen before the final deed?
Who decides whether each condition is satisfied?
What notices must be sent before the expiry date?
What happens to the deposit if a condition fails?
Can either party extend or withdraw, and how?

What not to leave until later

Signing an agent-prepared summary without independent explanation.
Assuming a financing problem automatically releases the buyer when no suitable condition exists.

Calendar the conditions separately

Do not record only the final expiry date. Finance, searches, permits and notices may each need action earlier.

Continue your research

Start with Property in Malta: Complete Renting, Buying and Owning Guide for the wider picture.

Browse all Property guides.

No blank commercial terms

Read the complete document with your notary and make sure every promised condition, item and deadline appears before signing.

Last reviewed: 9 August 2026. Recheck the official sources in the article metadata when a deadline, price, eligibility rule or service arrangement affects your decision.