How to get land in Ukraine for free?

The Land Code of Ukraine says, “Citizens of Ukraine have the right to receive land plots that are part of the state lands or communal property free of charge.” It is true, however, that many Ukrainians are not aware of this.

It is possible to get land free of charge since such a right is provided by the legislation of Ukraine. Yes, it will take a lot of effort and patience. The process of land privatization is stuck in bureaucratic procedures and last for two years. We decided to describe this long and challenging process.

What are we entitled to?

According to Article 121 of the Land Code, a Ukrainian may receive five land plots of different size and for various purposes:

– for farming – no more than two hectares;
– for gardening – no more than 0,12 hectares;
– for the construction and maintenance of houses, household buildings and structures (private plot) in villages – no more than 0,25 hectares, in settlements – not more than 0,15 hectares, in cities – not more than 0,10 hectares;
– for an individual cottage construction – no more than 0,10 hectares;
– for the construction of private garages – no more than 0.01 hectares.

Where to start?

First of all, you need to find a free land plot. A person can get a land in any region of the country, regardless of where they live. You need to address local government that is responsible for the land you want to get. If the land is located outside the settlements, contact the territorial department of the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography & Cadastre. It should be mentioned that it is easier to get land in the countryside than in the city.

You can check whether a land plot is free using the public cadastral map of Ukraine: You do not need to pay for a land plot, but to prepare documents you’ll have to spend from three to five thousand hryvnias.

What is the procedure?

After checking whether the land is free, write an application to a local government. In the application write the approximate size of the plot and what purpose it will serve. You also need to embed a map (it can be a Google Maps screenshot or a drawing) with the desired land plot marked. Your application will be considered within a month.

The next stage is the development of technical documentation. You will have to pay two thousand hryvnias to a land management organization for this. Developing of documentation can take from six months to a year.

When your project is ready, contact the territorial authority of the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy, Cartography & Cadastre. Within two weeks you will receive an excerpt about the land plot, with an indicated cadastral number, from the State Land Cadastre.

After having received an excerpt, you should go to the landlord. It is usually a local council or administration. In the Ministry of Justice, they register the ownership and approve the project.

Afterward, you should contact the State Register, which will give you a land tenure certificate within two weeks.

Why do many people not know about this?

More than ten years have passed since the beginning of the process of privatization of land and the process now includes a lot of bureaucratic procedures. It can take up to two years to get the land. Not everyone has the patience to finish what they started. The more you run after officials, the faster you will get your plot. The process requires of lot of work, but it is worth it.