The new Law on Amendments to the Law on State Surveying and Cadastre, which took effect today, introduces major improvements for citizens and simplifies the process of registering property ownership based on old documents, the Republic Geodetic Authority (RGZ) announced.
The most important change is the introduction of “convalidation”, a procedure that recognizes the legal validity of old documents that may have formal deficiencies but clearly prove ownership. This means that tens of thousands of such documents—previously requiring lengthy court procedures—can now be processed quickly, simply, and digitally.
These older documents often lack formal details such as stamps, plot numbers, or registration approvals, but they still contain essential evidence of ownership. Under the new law, such documents can now be accepted, and the registration process completed without additional paperwork.
From January 1, 2026, citizens will be able to submit applications electronically via an RGZ online platform, accessible on the institution’s website. Requests can be filed independently, without visiting service counters or hiring lawyers, even using a mobile phone. Once the conditions are met, the cadastre will complete the registration within five working days, and decisions can be reviewed within a one-year period.
Another major change concerns the certification of professional users—lawyers, licensed surveyors, and other experts who work within the cadastre system. The RGZ will issue special professional competence certificates to strengthen trust and professionalism in dealings with citizens.
At the same time, the law introduces stricter oversight and penalties for those who violate regulations, including the permanent revocation of licenses in cases of repeated serious misconduct.
With these reforms, the state aims to resolve long-standing property ownership issues, ensure citizens can exercise property rights more easily and efficiently, and create a transparent, professional, and reliable cadastre system as a cornerstone of legal security.
