Kyrgyzstan puts land code amendment package up for public discussion

Kyrgyzstan has put a package of amendments to its land legislation up for public discussion. The changes aim to fine-tune the Land Code that recently entered into force and cover the legal status of settlements that developed without proper documentation, as well as the seizure of land for large infrastructure projects. According to the source, thousands of applications were filed under the ongoing land amnesty by mid-2025, and rights to tens of thousands of plots were registered.

The bill proposes providing equivalent plots as compensation when land is taken for public and state needs. This is particularly relevant to the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway project. Residents of Suzak district previously raised concerns about timely payments and environmental requirements during railway construction. The draft also allows non-capital structures on land for up to four years for transport and energy infrastructure, with recultivation required within a year after completion.

Under the amendments, the right of temporary use would end when a lease expires if either party does not declare its intent to extend at least 15 days in advance. Splitting agricultural land shares of up to 5 hectares would also be banned. Experts say the balance between public interests and the rights of private owners will depend on how compensation mechanisms work in practice.