What will happen to the non-agricultural use application I submitted prior to the regulation amendment?

Without being affected by the new rules, your application will be concluded in accordance with the provisions of the former repealed regulation in force on the date you submitted the application.

What does the reduction of the 5-hectare threshold in agricultural structures to 2 hectares mean?

Agricultural structures to be built on smaller agricultural lands will now also be subject to strict inspection and criteria, and the uncontrolled construction on agricultural lands will be prevented.

How are geothermal greenhouse investments affected by this amendment?

Through the additional regulations introduced in the regulation, the legal infrastructure has been reinforced by prioritizing and defining geothermal-sourced technological greenhouse investments under the standards of integrated agricultural facilities.

REGULATIONS4 August 2026

New Rule Inspection Period in Agriculture

Official titleRegulation on the Amendment of the Regulation on the Protection and Utilization of Agricultural Lands

With the amendment made to the regulation regarding the protection and utilization of agricultural lands, it has been ensured that prior applications are evaluated in accordance with the former legislation, the 5-hectare threshold regarding the criteria for agricultural structures has been reduced to 2 hectares, and geothermal-sourced technological greenhouse investments have been incentivized.

Details of the Regulation

This regulation amendment introduces significant updates regarding opening agricultural lands to construction and their non-agricultural use. First, it has been stipulated that applications for agricultural structures and non-agricultural use submitted prior to 4 April 2026, the date when the new regulation entered into force, shall be concluded in accordance with the provisions of the repealed (former) regulation in order to protect acquired rights. This circumstance prevents the disruption of ongoing projects and eliminates bureaucratic uncertainties.

The second significant amendment concerns the area threshold in the Annex-1 list, which determines the criteria for agricultural structures. The reduction of the threshold from "5 hectares" to "2 hectares" indicates that agricultural lands will be protected more strictly and that constructions to be carried out on small-scale lands will also be subject to stricter inspection or different criteria. This step represents a protective policy approach aimed at preventing the fragmentation and non-purpose use of agricultural lands.

Finally, a special emphasis has been placed on "Geothermal-Sourced Technological Greenhouse Investments" within the scope of integrated agricultural facilities, and the relevant annex lists have been updated. Through this regulation, while paving the way for sustainable and technological agricultural investments, the efficient use of geothermal resources in agriculture is supported. The regulation has been put into force retrospectively, effective as of 4 April 2026.

REGAS Commentary

For citizens planning construction on agricultural land or who have applied for non-agricultural use, prior rights have been protected, thereby preventing victimization. However, in newly submitted applications, stricter rules will be encountered due to the threshold being reduced from 5 hectares to 2 hectares. For entrepreneurs who will invest in modern greenhouses based on geothermal energy, the process has become more defined and incentivizing.

Questions You Might Have

What will happen to the non-agricultural use application I submitted prior to the regulation amendment?: Without being affected by the new rules, your application will be concluded in accordance with the provisions of the former repealed regulation in force on the date you submitted the application.
What does the reduction of the 5-hectare threshold in agricultural structures to 2 hectares mean?: Agricultural structures to be built on smaller agricultural lands will now also be subject to strict inspection and criteria, and the uncontrolled construction on agricultural lands will be prevented.
How are geothermal greenhouse investments affected by this amendment?: Through the additional regulations introduced in the regulation, the legal infrastructure has been reinforced by prioritizing and defining geothermal-sourced technological greenhouse investments under the standards of integrated agricultural facilities.

Key Terms

Mülga: A statute or regulation that has been repealed and whose validity has expired.
Tarımsal Entegre Tesis: Industrial structures supporting agricultural production, such as the processing, packaging, and storage of agricultural products.
Geçici Madde: A provisional rule governing the transitional process in the implementation of new legislation and ensuring harmony between the former regulation and the new regulation.

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