Slovakia has decided not to request an extension to the restriction on foreigners to buy up agricultural and forest land, meaning that from 1 January 2011 the market will open up also to those from abroad.
The country was given a seven-year exception, which meant that foreigners wishing to buy agricultural land had to have their temporary residence here and had to work the land for at least three years.
Slovakia could have requested a three year extension, but the Ministry of Agriculture has decided not to go ahead with the move. The Ministry did not register any massive wave of interest in agricultural land in Slovakia during the 7-year transition period, but next year will show just how much this was down to the restriction imposed to date.