Entrega (Delivery / Handover)en-TREH-gah
Entrega is the delivery or handover of a property from seller or developer to buyer, defined in Federal Civil Code Article 2284 as occurring in three forms: real (physical), juridical (legal transfer without physical possession) or virtual (acceptance that property is at buyer's disposal).
By Daniel Ortega · Last reviewed 10 November 2026
How it works
In resale transactions, entrega typically coincides with the signing of the escritura pública at the notary office, when keys and physical possession transfer simultaneously with title. In pre-construction purchases, entrega occurs when the developer completes construction and hands over the finished unit with a formal walkthrough and acta de entrega (handover certificate) documenting the condition and any defects requiring correction, but escrituración often follows weeks or months later once the developer obtains all permits and registry clearances. Federal Civil Code Article 2285 assigns delivery costs to the seller and transport or moving costs to the buyer unless the contract states otherwise. The acta de entrega lists the property condition, fixtures, appliances, utility readings and any pending repairs (punch list), protecting both parties by establishing what was delivered and received. For vacation rentals, entrega de llaves (key handover) marks the start of each guest stay.