President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed law No. 12089, which amends the Civil Code and strengthens the rights of good faith land acquirers.

This was reported on the parliament's website.

According to the document, if more than 10 years have passed since the illegal confiscation of land, the state or community will no longer be able to reclaim these plots, including forests and other natural areas.

If a court decides to return the land within 10 years after confiscation, the state or community must compensate the new owner at market value. However, the law does not provide for compensation to the state or community.

There are exceptions: the law does not apply to strategic lands, critical infrastructure, cultural heritage, and protected natural areas. However, activists point out gaps in the wording that could hinder their return.

"The proposed wording in the bill may complicate the return of property and land in territories temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation, despite being directly indicated by the main legal department of the Verkhovna Rada," noted the "Chesno" movement.

Activists also emphasize that the boundaries of many protected or historical lands are still not defined in the State Land Cadastre. This poses a risk for the state to lose legal mechanisms for reclaiming such assets.

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Reminder:

The Verkhovna Rada has adopted law No. 12089, establishing a ten-year period after which property (land or buildings) cannot be reclaimed from a good faith acquirer if it previously belonged to the state or was municipal.