Buying Agricultural Land in Romania
By Szilaghi Law · Updated 28 October 2026 · General information, not legal advice
Agricultural land outside built-up areas in Romania is sold under Law 17/2014. The seller must offer the land to holders of pre-emption rights through the local council, and some buyers must meet extra conditions. Plan for a procedure of several months before the notarial sale.
Confirm the land category
Check from the land book, cadastre and urbanism certificate whether the plot is agricultural land outside the built-up area. Land inside the built-up area does not follow the Law 17/2014 procedure.
Check title and access
Review the land book, ownership history, restitution background, co-owners and legal access to a public road.
Confirm buyer eligibility
Check whether the buyer can acquire the land and whether residence, activity or approval conditions apply if no pre-emptor buys.
Run the pre-emption procedure
The seller registers a sale offer with the local council, which publishes it. Pre-emptors have set periods to accept, in the order set by the law.
Obtain approvals
After the periods expire, the required approval is issued by the county agricultural directorate or the central structure, depending on the case. Other approvals can apply near special objectives.
Sign and register
The sale is concluded before a notary and registered in the land book.
- Land book extract and cadastral plan
- Urbanism certificate confirming category and use
- Ownership documents and restitution history
- Identity of co-owners, lessees and neighbors
- Buyer eligibility analysis
- Sale offer and supporting documents
- Approval issued after the pre-emption period
- Notarial deed and land book registration
- Fixing a closing date too early. The procedure has legal periods that cannot be shortened.
- Changing the price. A sale at a different price or on different terms than the published offer can expose the sale to challenge.
- Ignoring leases. A registered lessee may have priority.
Can EU citizens buy agricultural land in Romania?
Yes, EU and EEA citizens and companies can buy on the same conditions as Romanian buyers, through the Law 17/2014 procedure.
Is leasing a good alternative?
Often. A registered agricultural lease avoids the sale procedure, and a lessee can later have a pre-emption right if the land is sold.
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Describe the transaction or regulatory issue, the Romanian assets involved and your timetable.
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