A latest legislative initiative aims to further simplify property transfers in Greece and end long-standing delays affecting tens of thousands of owners entangled in disputes over forest maps.
Until now, any pending issue involving forest maps – which limited or prevented legal construction in many instances – effectively blocked the sale or transfer of property rights. As such, the relevant environment ministry is seeking to reform this framework, acknowledging that owners should not be deprived of exploiting or transferring their property due to administrative delays in updating forest maps.
Reforms include:
- Property owners will no longer have to wait for final rulings from relevant committees. If an appeal is accepted, they will be able to proceed immediately with a transaction.
- Instead of requiring a so-called forest-status certificate, contracts will include the committee’s decision (published on an online transparency platform) along with a topographical diagram. A certified civil engineer/land surveyor will confirm that the property corresponds to the approved appeal.
- Similar fast-track rules will apply to cases involving “obvious errors” in maps, namely, once a correction is officially approved and published, the property can be transferred without waiting for the full ratification of the forest map.
The reforms aim to restore property values and liquidity in an increasingly lucrative real estate market, while also making procedures clearer and increasingly digital for professionals such as civil engineers, land surveyors, lawyers and notaries.
The draft legislation also addresses technical discrepancies between the land registry and forest maps. The state will waive claims over small areas (up to 100 square meters) that arise from such inconsistencies, reducing bureaucratic obstacles.
