Enteignung eines Grundstücks

Expropriation is a form of state access to land or to rights to the land.

Expropriation is a form of state access to land or to rights to the land. In the case of many public tasks, e.g. the construction of roads or energy supply lines, private land is required in order to carry out the measure. If an amicable settlement is not possible and the planned project is therefore in danger of failing, various laws provide for expropriation.

Expropriation interferes with the fundamental right to property. Therefore, expropriation is only permissible if the land is absolutely necessary for the realization of a project. The project must serve the public good (e.g. road construction, energy supply). Expropriation may only take place in return for appropriate compensation.

Expropriation is only permitted on a legal basis and solely for the common good.

Expropriation may only be pronounced in return for compensation. As a rule, this compensation is paid in cash; in exceptional cases, the granting of substitute land is possible. The compensation for land is calculated according to its market value. As a rule, the value of land is determined on the basis of appraisals by the expert committees. If there are plants or vegetation on the land, additional appraisals, e.g. by agricultural experts, may be required.

Expropriation is preceded by the expropriation procedure. It is regularly initiated by an application with reasons submitted by the authority wishing to carry out the expropriation. The parties to the procedure are the applicant, the owner of the land and all persons who have a right to the land that is to be expropriated. All parties are heard. In a hearing, an attempt is made to reach an agreement on the sale of the land. If this is not successful, the competent authority issues an expropriation decision. In this, it regulates the legal change (among other things, transfer of ownership) and the compensation. If the owner does not agree with the decision or the amount of compensation, he can take legal action.

With an execution order, the expropriation authority arranges for the entry of the legal change in the land register at the responsible land registry office.

expropriation of land by the expropriating authority