Act LV of 1994 on Arable Land. Country/Territory Hungary Document type Legislation Date 1994 (2013) Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Land & soil Keyword Agricultural land Land tenure Land reform Subdivision of land Foreign land tenure Right of use Lease Ownership Land valuation Use restrictions Urban land Agricultural development Authorization/permit Soil conservation/soil improvement Classification/declassification Soil pollution/quality Smallholders/peasants Offences/penalties Size Geographical area Eastern Europe, Europe, Europe and Central Asia, European Union Countries Entry into force notes The consolidated version of the text is in force from 5 April 2013. Abstract The purpose of this Law is the establishment of market oriented conditions in the agricultural sector based on private ownership. Land transfer and the use of land as guarantee for land-based credit should promote the efficient operation of new businesses. This Law basically regulates the use of arable land and aims to create landed properties suitable for competitive agricultural production, avoiding to burden land with the effects of excessive subdivision. The reduction of agricultural land should remain within reasonable limits and the conservation of land quality should have legal backing. In Chapter I introductory provisions regarding the effect of the Law and definition of terms are set forth. The Law applies to all arable land in the national territory, to the utilization and conservation of land, to the acquisition of landed property and its restrictions and to the creation of plots. The provisions apply to urban land, whether under agricultural or forestry cultivation. Chapter II deals with the acquisition of ownership of arable land by Hungarian and foreign private persons or legal entities. EU citizens enjoy the same rights as Hungarians if they have been living and operating in the field of agriculture for at least 3 years in Hungary, and if they meet certain requisites and undertake some obligations. The Law covers acquisition under any form except: legal inheritance, adverse possession, construction over others' property, expropriation and through auction for compensation purposes. Use of arable lands is provided for in Chapter III. Use rights are regulated in the Civil Code as is the lease of arable land, unless this Law provides otherwise. Chapter IV deals with procedures for the creation of estates (general land reform, voluntary exchange of lands). Provisions on the utilization and protection of arable land are set forth in Chapter V. Cultivation profiles should be respected. Changes in cultivation profiles are to be authorized, otherwise penalties are foreseen. In the light of these purposes, soil conservation has an important role and aims to maintain the productivity and quality of the soil. Soil conservation is provided for in Chapter VI which sets forth State duties, the obligations of land users and provides for soil conservation authorities and their duties. Soil conservation penalties shall be applied to offenders. Full text English Website njt.hu References - Legislation Amends Act No. XXIV of 1988 on the investments in Hungary of foreign nationals. Legislation | Hungary | 1988 (2011) Keyword: Land tenure, Ownership, Foreign land tenure Source: FAO, FAOLEX Repeals Act I of 1987 (The Act of Land). Legislation | Hungary | 1989 Keyword: Land commission, Land tenure, Foreign land tenure, Ownership, Cooperative/producer organization, Land consolidation, Land reform, Public land, Soil conservation/soil improvement, Erosion, Agricultural land, Land-use planning Source: FAO, FAOLEX Implemented by Decree No. 24 of 1995 of the Ministry of Agriculture on plant protection and soil conservation stations. Legislation | Hungary | 1995 Keyword: Soil conservation/soil improvement, Institution, Plant protection Source: FAO, FAOLEX Decree No. 326 of 2001 (XII. 30.) Korm. of the Government on the creation, registration, running and special subsidization of family farms. Legislation | Hungary | 2001 (2015) Keyword: Agricultural development, Farming, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Registration, Subsidy/incentive, Family farming Source: FAO, FAOLEX Decree No. 105 of 1999 (XII. 22.) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on detailed rules of land evaluation. Legislation | Hungary | 1999 (2013) Keyword: Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Classification/declassification, Survey/mapping, Land valuation, Agricultural land Source: FAO, FAOLEX Government Decree 157/1999 (XI.3.) Korm. on the amendment of Government Decree 7/1996 (I.18.) Korm. on the acquisition of real estate by foreign nationals. Legislation | Hungary | 1999 Keyword: Ownership, Foreign land tenure Source: FAO, FAOLEX Decree No. 16 of 2002 of the Government on detailed rules of exercising the right of pre-emption and privileged lease of arable land. Legislation | Hungary | 2002 (2013) Keyword: Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Agricultural land, Land tenure, Transfer, Lease Source: FAO, FAOLEX Decree No.7 of 1996 (I.18.) of the Government on the acquisition of real estate by foreign nationals. Legislation | Hungary | 1996 (2014) Keyword: Ownership, Foreign land tenure Source: FAO, FAOLEX Decree No. 356 of 2007 (XII. 23.) Korm of the Government laying down detailed rules of land use registration. Legislation | Hungary | 2007 (2013) Keyword: Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Agricultural land, Data collection/reporting, Land tenure, Ownership, Private land, Public land, Registration Source: FAO, FAOLEX Amended by Act No. CLXVIII of 2011 on handling weather-related and other natural risks affecting agricultural production. Legislation | Hungary | 2011 (2023) Keyword: Hazards, Financial agricultural measures, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Source: FAO, FAOLEX Act No. XVII of 2007 on certain issues of procedures in relation to support for agricultural, rural development and fisheries and to other measures. Legislation | Hungary | 2007 (2023) Keyword: Agricultural land, Data collection/reporting, Financial agricultural measures, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Offences/penalties, Subsidy/incentive, Agricultural development, Special fund, Inland fisheries, Aquaculture, Cadastre/land registration, Survey/mapping Source: FAO, FAOLEX Law No. CII of 1994 on wine growers' associations. Legislation | Hungary | 1994 (2011) Keyword: Viticulture/oenological practices, Non-governmental entity, Business/industry/corporations Source: FAO, FAOLEX Law No. LIII of 1996 on Nature Conservation. Legislation | Hungary | 1996 (2023) Keyword: Management/conservation, Protected area, Policy/planning, Institution, Access-to-information, Offences/penalties, Ecosystem preservation, Biodiversity, Protection of species Source: FAO, FAOLEX Act CXLI of 1997 on Real Estate Registration. Legislation | Hungary | 1997 (2020) Keyword: Cadastre/land registration, Ownership, Agricultural land, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Urban land Source: FAO, FAOLEX Act No. CCXII of 2013 laying down certain provisions and transition rules in connection with Act No CXXII of 2013 concerning agricultural and forestry land trade. Legislation | Hungary | 2013 (2014) Keyword: Agricultural land, Land tenure, Lease, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Ownership, Private land, Property rights, Public land, Right of use, Servitude, Transfer, Contract/agreement, Common property, Authorization/permit, Cadastre/land registration, Land commission, Smallholders/peasants, Size, Cooperative/producer organization Source: FAO, FAOLEX