Yes, squatting occupies a legally ambiguous gray zone in Taiwan, where civil possession rights often supersede penal enforcement unless forcible entry or damage occurs.
Squatting exists in a precarious legal limbo: while Taiwan’s Civil Code protects possessory rights under Articles 767 and 960, unauthorized occupation does not automatically constitute a criminal offense unless accompanied by violence, coercion, or property damage per the Criminal Code (Article 306). Local governments, particularly Taipei City’s Urban Regeneration Office, have intensified enforcement against illegal occupation in 2026 under the Urban Renewal Act, prioritizing evictions for abandoned or publicly owned properties. Police may intervene under disturbance of public order provisions (Article 89 of the Police Act), but criminal liability hinges on intent and force.
Key Regulations for Squatting in Taiwan
- Civil Possession Rights (Civil Code Art. 767): Landlords or rightful owners can reclaim property via civil litigation, requiring proof of ownership and prior possession. Courts may grant immediate possession orders under expedited proceedings.
- Criminal Liability (Criminal Code Art. 306): Unauthorized occupation becomes a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment or fines of NT$90,000 if force, threats, or damage are involved. Simple trespass without aggravating factors is not criminalized.
- Public Property Enforcement (Urban Renewal Act §22): Municipalities can forcibly remove squatters from state-owned or dilapidated buildings after 30-day notice periods, with police assistance mandated for resistance cases. Taipei’s 2026 Squatter Crackdown Plan allocates NT$500M for rapid evictions in high-density zones.