Article 11 - Ownership

Ownership shall be recognized as a common good. Every citizen shall have the right to own property—tangible or intangible—including land, intellectual creations, collective enterprises, and productive assets. This right encompasses the lawful acquisition, use, and disposition of property, provided such actions respect the principles of justice, the dignity and safety of others, and the well-being of future generations. Ownership confers responsibility: no use of property may infringe upon another’s freedom, endanger the environment, or undermine the fair functioning of society.

Society shall guarantee protection of lawful property against unlawful seizure, destruction, or exploitation. Simultaneously, it must prevent property from becoming an instrument of oppression, exclusion, or harm. No individual, institution, or authority may place property rights above the rule of law, above the needs of the community, or above the rights of others. Intangible property—contracts, patents, copyrights, trademarks, and related rights—shall be recognized as valid forms of ownership subject to these same limits, ensuring that creative works and innovations benefit both their creators and the collective welfare.

Wealth or revenue obtained solely through the passive possession of property—without contributing value through productive endeavor—shall be deemed speculative. Such speculative gains may be regulated, limited, or redistributed by law to preserve economic balance, social justice, and the dignity of all citizens.

No property right is absolute or eternal. The transmission of property through inheritance shall be subject to a defined upper limit, known as the maxima. This limit determines the greatest amount of property or wealth that may pass from one generation to the next. Any portion exceeding the maxima at the moment of transfer returns to society for transparent allocation in the public interest.