Espropriazione (Expropriation/Compulsory Purchase)

The act by which a public authority can force the sale of private property for public use, with fair compensation. In Italy, espropriazione for public utility is allowed by the Constitution (art. 42) provided the owner is paid an indemnity. It is used for projects like roads, schools, or other infrastructure. The process involves a formal declaration of public utility, an appraisal of value, and a decree of expropriation. For property owners, receiving an avviso di esproprio can be disruptive – but they are entitled to contest the compensation amount or the public purpose in administrative court. If you own land, especially agricultural or fringe urban land, it can be subject to expropriation for new developments or utilities. Any ongoing expropriation procedure or even reserved public use in the town plan should be revealed in the CDU (destinazione urbanistica certificate).