Estonian Ministry of Economy Aims to Conclude 35-Year Land Reform
Estonia's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications has proposed legislative changes to finalize the land reform started in 1991, as nearly 10,000 plots still lack owners.
The Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications (MKM) wants to finalize the land reform that began in 1991, which still remains incomplete. The ministry submitted a legislative intent (VTK) to the Riigikogu, stating that around 9,840 land plots currently have no registered owner.
The reform aims to convert Soviet-era state property predominantly into private land ownership while respecting the rights of former owners and the interests of current users. However, local governments and the Land and Spatial Planning Department lack resources to complete complex procedures, which often lead to litigation.
To prevent further delays, the ministry proposes two options. First, amend the existing Land Reform Act to set deadlines after which unreformed land (excluding narrow strips) would become state property. Second, adopt a separate law to conclude the reform and declare the current act void.
According to ministry data, most unreformed plots are in Ida-Viru County, particularly in Sillamäe, Kohtla-Järve, Narva, and Jõhvi Parish. Of the total 9,840 plots, 1,963 are without buildings, 2,695 have buildings, and 5,182 are narrow strips. Tallinn has the most strips at 267.
In 2020, all unreformed land received cadastral numbers and was entered into the land register, but the actual ownership type and extent remain unclear. The ministry emphasizes that without new legislation, the reform could drag on for many more years.
The budget for land reform services for 2026–2029 is €2.475 million in 2026 and €2.435 million annually from 2027 to 2029.
