The purpose of the article is to justify and highlight the theoretical foundations and mechanisms of development and regulation of land relations in agriculture taking into account the best European practices and national peculiarities. Research methodology. In the research process the following scientific methods have been used: dialectical method of knowledge of processes and phenomena, monographic method (analysis of the evolution of scientific achievements of Ukrainian and foreign scholars on the problems of land relations’ development in agriculture), empirical method (for a comprehensive assessment of current state of the research object), comparative analysis (for problem solving and defining of aims to regulate land relations in the EU countries and Ukraine), abstract and logical (for theoretical generalizations and formulation of conclusions). Research results. The results of scientific research on the development of land relations in agriculture in Ukraine and certain European countries have been presented. The current state of agricultural land use has been discovered and its economic and ecological aspects have been analyzed. The main results of quasi-market transformations regarding ownership, use and disposal of agricultural land have been highlighted. Elements of scientific novelty. The theoretical positions concerning the regulation of land relations in agriculture, based on the multifunctionality of land resources have become further developed. Aforementioned results, in addition to the fixed assets of production in agriculture, are a unique natural resource, an irreplaceable environment of human life, and an integral part of a holistic ecosystem. Practical significance. Along with some positive changes in land relations, systemic obstacles have been identified in the way of their development. Proposals for their elimination by active methods of state regulation have been presented. Tabl.: 1. Figs.: 6. Refs.: 32