Challenges in Systematic Property Registration in Romania: An Analytical Overview

Vasile Gherheș, Carmen Grecea, Clara-Beatrice Vilceanu, Sorin Herban () and Claudiu Coman
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Vasile Gherheș: Department of Communication and Foreign Languages, Interdisciplinary Research Center for Communication and Sustainability, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 300006 Timisoara, Romania
Carmen Grecea: Department of Overland Communications Ways, Foundations and Cadastral Survey, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
Clara-Beatrice Vilceanu: Department of Overland Communications Ways, Foundations and Cadastral Survey, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
Sorin Herban: Department of Overland Communications Ways, Foundations and Cadastral Survey, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
Claudiu Coman: Faculty of Sociology and Communication, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500036 Brașov, Romania

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-21

Abstract: After the fall of communism, Romania embarked on a comprehensive land restitution process through Law No. 18/1991, aiming to re-establish private ownership rights, particularly for agricultural and forestry lands. Divergent historical legacies across regions have resulted in heterogeneous land administration systems, contributing to inconsistencies, overlapping claims, and prolonged legal disputes. To address these challenges, the Romanian government introduced the National Cadastre and Land Registration Program, which promotes systematic property registration across the country. Keeping in mind the fact that there is no integrated study that analyses national challenges from multiple dimensions such as history, law, institutions, technology, and socioeconomics and proposes systematic optimization strategies, this article provides a critical analysis of the legal and institutional framework governing land restitution and cadastral reform, highlighting the influence of historical administrative structures and the adoption of modern geospatial technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GISs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). By adopting a qualitative and document-based research approach, focusing on the analysis of legislative frameworks, institutional procedures, and technical instruments used in systematic land registration in Romania, this study emphasizes the benefits of systematic registration, including increased legal certainty, investment stimulation, improved access to credit, and better planning and taxation. Despite progress, implementation remains uneven, hindered by documentation gaps, institutional capacity limitations, and administrative obstacles. Recent legislative adjustments and the integration of advanced geospatial tools aim to improve data quality and accelerate the registration process. Ultimately, the integration of legal, institutional, and geospatial components is essential for achieving transparent and accountable land governance, efficient resource management, and sustainable rural development in Romania.

Keywords: land restitution; systematic cadastre; property registration; Romania; Law 18/1991; GIS; UAV; cadastral reform; rural development; legal framework (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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