Law No. 33 “On expropriation for reasons of public utility.”

The expropriation of real estate, in whole or in part, can only be done for the cause of public utility, after fair and prior compensation, by court decision. Real estate property owned by natural persons or legal entities can be expropriated with or without profitable purpose, including real estate in the ownership of communes, cities, municipalities and counties. The competent courts will be able to decide on the expropriation only after the public utility has been declared according to this Law. Public utility is declared for works of national interest or local interest. The public utility is declared by the Government for works of national interest and by the county councils and the local council of the municipality of Bucharest for works of local interest. The declaration of public utility is made only after carrying out prior research related to urban planning and territorial development plans, approved according to the law, for the localities or areas where it is intended to be executed.