Housing, land & property

Venezuelan legislation applies the principle of civil equality for foreign nationals, guaranteeing refugees the same rights as nationals in property matters. 

The right to own, lease, or inherit movable and immovable property is regulated by the Civil Code and extends to refugees without major obstacles. The prohibition of forced evictions, the general protection against unlawful use of property (Penal Code), the possibility of bringing property in and out of the country, and the protection of intellectual property are rights guaranteed without major obstacles.

However, in the area of social housing and regularization, the absence of special procedures creates certain difficulties. Although the Organic Law on the Social Security System includes the right of access to housing policies and prioritizes vulnerable groups (which should include refugees), because it does not mention them directly, additional efforts are required to ensure their priority inclusion in State plans.

Similarly, laws on relocation and the regularization of informal settlements apply to all persons in need. Although refugees may benefit from these procedures, the absence of special scenarios in the Regularization Law could create certain logistical difficulties in practice.

Finally, although refugees have a constitutional right to access justice to defend their property rights and seek restitution or compensation, such defense must be pursued through ordinary administrative and civil procedures. The absence of special mechanisms for refugees in this area introduces complications when bringing legal actions.

In short, the legal framework directly secures basic property rights and protection against evictions, but access to social housing programs and specific judicial protection present certain difficulties due to the absence of special provisions for the refugee population.