Veterans can receive land for free: what sizes of plots are provided by law.

According to the Land Code of Ukraine, combatants (veterans) and similar persons have the right to receive a land plot in priority. This right applies to state or communal property land — for private construction, farming, gardening, or summer cottage construction.

Citizens may choose the purpose of the land plot according to their needs, explains lawyer Larisa Velychko in a comment to '24 channel'.

What plot sizes can veterans receive

The right to land is defined within the limits of maximum areas, depending on the type of use:

• for gardening — up to 0.12 hectares;
• for personal peasant farming — up to 2.0 hectares;
• for summer cottage construction — up to 0.10 hectares.

For residential construction:

• in a village — up to 0.25 hectares;
• in a town — up to 0.15 hectares;
• in a city — up to 0.10 hectares.

These areas cannot be expanded even with the agreement of local councils — they are defined by law. As emphasized by Velychko, a combatant is not obliged to prove the necessity of this plot — it is their guaranteed right.

How to apply for a land plot

The first step is to submit a written request to the local government or executive authority. It should include:

• graphic materials with the approximate location of the desired plot;
• written consent of the land user if the plot is in use by other persons;
• documents certifying identity and confirming combatant status;
• additional documents if the plot is needed for farming (education or experience in agriculture).

The authority considers the application within 30 days. The decision can be either positive or with a justified refusal. In case of violation of the deadline or unlawful refusal — one can appeal to the court.

Why the plot cannot be privatized during the war

For the duration of martial law, the legislator has restricted the ability for free privatization. According to updates to the Land Code, from 2022 a ban has been imposed on:

• the free transfer of state and communal land into private ownership;
• granting permits for the development of land management documentation for such transfer;
• the actual development of land management documentation.

This means that obtaining land in private ownership for veterans is currently impossible, even if they have all necessary documents.

'Currently, the system is frozen. The law directly prohibits the free transfer of land into private ownership. This also applies to combatants', Velychko notes.

In what cases is land privatization allowed

1. If a citizen already has real estate on the land plot — for example, a house or other building.
2. If the plot was provided to the citizen for use before January 1, 2002, that is, before the current Land Code came into force.

In these two cases, the right to privatization is not restricted, even during martial law.

'These are exceptional circumstances. If real estate is already registered in the person's name, or they have been using the land since the 90s — privatization remains available', the lawyer states.

What are the prospects for veterans in the future

The expert predicts that after martial law is lifted, procedures will be unlocked again. At the same time, it is important to prepare all documents in advance, as the demand for land among veterans is increasing.

Land can become not only a resource for living or farming but also an important element of social support for those who defended the state.

'When martial law is lifted, the opportunity to realize this right will reopen. Therefore, it is better not to delay preparing the documents', Velychko concludes.

The submitted news is easy to perceive, using limited syntactic constructions. The information is presented clearly and accessibly for a wide audience. It highlights the rights of combatants to receive land, the procedure for submitting requests, and the restrictions in place during martial law. Additionally, recommendations regarding future land acquisition and the preparation of necessary documents are provided.