Land ownership rights are one of the fundamental rights of citizens and businesses. However, in recent years, landowners have often faced the risk of illegal expropriation of property in favour of the state or community, especially in cases where the land was previously owned by the municipality or the state.
The adoption of Law of Ukraine No. 12089 of 2025 (On Amendments to the Civil Code of Ukraine Regarding Strengthening the Protection of the Rights of Good Faith Acquirers) has significantly changed the legal landscape and strengthened guarantees for good faith land owners.
Main provisions of the Law
- The Law establishes a ten-year period, after which property (including land plots) acquired by a bona fide owner and registered in accordance with the established procedure cannot be reclaimed from them by the state or local community.
- The rule applies to cases where the land was previously owned by the state or municipality but was alienated and registered to a private individual.
- The law protects bona fide purchasers — individuals who acquired land in accordance with the law, without knowing and without having the opportunity to know about possible violations by previous owners.
What this means for land owners
- If you have registered ownership of a land plot and more than 10 years have passed since the date of such registration, the risk of compulsory return of the land to the state or community effectively disappears.
- The law guarantees stability of ownership and legal certainty for bona fide owners.
- This creates favourable conditions for investment in land and real estate and reduces the risk of litigation.
- In the event of legal proceedings, a solicitor may use the provisions of Law No. 12089 as a legal basis to protect a client from property claims.
Important nuances to pay attention to
- Ownership rights must be registered in the State Register of Property Rights — only then does the legal protection apply.
- The law does not apply to certain categories of land — for example, defence land, nature reserve land or strategic objects of national importance.
- The ten-year period is counted from the date of state registration of the right, not from the date of conclusion of the contract.
- For the owner’s security, it is advisable to conduct a legal audit of the land plot — a check of the history of transfers of rights, registration records and decisions of authorities.
How we can help
Our company’s lawyers specialise in protecting the rights of land owners and supporting disputes with state or municipal authorities. We can help you:
- check the legal status of a land plot;
- prepare a legal position in a dispute over reclaiming land;
- appeal against illegal actions by authorities or the state registrar;
- represent your interests in court at all levels.
Contact us — we will protect your land ownership rights in accordance with current legislation and the provisions of Law No. 12089.