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Audit Report on Land Registry: €18.5m Uncollected - Compensation 22 Years Later

Published February 17, 2026, 09:13
Audit Report on Land Registry: €18.5m Uncollected - Compensation 22 Years Later

A new report from the Audit Office highlights longstanding weaknesses in the management of state land, expropriations, and the processing of procedures concerning citizens' rights and state revenue. Uncollected revenue amounted to €18.5 million, with 74% relating to state land rents. The report shows a 20% increase in uncollected revenue in 2024 alone. Thousands of pending issues are recorded in leases, forced sales, and land surveys, with delays often exceeding a decade. The average time to review a state land lease application is estimated at over 8 years, with pending cases dating back to 1973. Regarding expropriations for defense purposes, the Audit Office notes the use of private property without valid decrees and long-term expropriations instead of compulsory purchases, while estimates for issuing decrees are delayed by an average of 8 years, resulting in delays in compensation. The report emphasizes the need to modernize the processes of the Department of Lands and Surveys, given the criticality of its role in the proper functioning of the state.