Uzbekistan legalizes squatted land and structures under new law

According to the document, land allocated by district and city authorities before June 8, 2021, without approval from the regional administration or the Council of People's Deputies is also being legalized.

"The law also clearly defines the main conditions for recognizing rights. For example, the land plot must not be allocated to other persons or put up for auction; there should be no disputes over the land plot; and it must not contradict the general plan," the statement reads.

The changes also affect gardening and viticulture associations and the plots they occupy.

A one-time payment is required to recognize the rights to land plots under residential houses, privatized buildings, or buildings recognized as private property.

The payment amount is 5 basic calculation amounts (BCA) in Tashkent, 3 BCA in Nukus and regional centers, 2 BCA, and 1 BCA in other settlements. Persons included in the Unified Social Protection Register, as well as persons with disabilities, are granted a discount.

The law will come into effect in three months and will be implemented in stages until January 1, 2028.

The press service of the head of state reports that currently there are more than 3.6 million land plots with legal documents that are either unregistered or incomplete.