Lexipedia

Expropriation

Expropriation is the compulsory taking or restriction of property rights for a public purpose, normally subject to full compensation.

In Swiss law, expropriation permits public authorities, and sometimes delegated entities, to acquire or restrict private property where a legal basis, public interest and proportionality are present. It may concern land, easements, neighbourhood rights or other protected property positions. Formal expropriation transfers or removes rights; material expropriation concerns planning or regulatory restrictions equivalent in effect to a taking. Compensation is a core safeguard and disputes often concern valuation, causation and whether a planning measure crosses the compensable threshold.