19 Expropriation Proceedings for Federal Highways in Saxony - Saxony's expropriation surge fuels road projects amid landowner disputes
State Can Expropriate Land for Road Construction When Owners Refuse to Cooperate
In Saxony, numerous expropriation proceedings are currently underway to secure land needed for road projects.
Nineteen expropriation cases for federal highways are active in Saxony this year, with one concluded in 2023, according to figures from the state's regional authority. In 2025, there were 20 ongoing cases, including unresolved proceedings from previous years.
In 2024, 22 cases were initiated, and two were finalized. The affected properties are typically farmland or green spaces, the authority stated.
Saxony Among Top States for Expropriations
Compared to other German states, Saxony ranked among the leaders in 2025, alongside Saxony-Anhalt (21 cases), North Rhine-Westphalia (21), and Brandenburg (20). The fewest proceedings were in northern Germany: Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg each had two pending expropriations, while Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania had three. These figures were obtained by Left Party lawmaker Caren Lay through a parliamentary inquiry to the Federal Transport Ministry.
The Dresden regional authority later revised Saxony's numbers significantly downward, clarifying that its initial count included all road construction expropriations, whereas other states' data covered only federal highways. Adjusted figures show 71 ongoing expropriation cases in Saxony in 2025, with five completed and 66 still pending.
Road construction, like flood protection, energy supply, and waste management, falls under public-interest projects for which private landowners can be expropriated for the common good. Expropriation is a last resort when negotiations—such as purchase or land swaps—fail. Third-party rights, including tenancy agreements, may also be affected, with owners receiving compensation.
Federal highways and motorways are governed by the Federal Trunk Road Act, while other roads fall under state laws—in Saxony's case, the Saxon Expropriation and Compensation Act.
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