Greece is introducing a stricter framework for the maintenance of private land plots, significantly changing deadlines, documentation requirements, and fines for owners who fail to comply.
Under the new rules, simply clearing a plot of land will no longer be enough. Property owners must now complete the work within a fixed timeframe, formally declare the cleanup, and be able to prove that it meets official fire safety standards, as defined by updated fire service regulations.
New Cleanup Deadlines
From 2026 onward, landowners must carry out mandatory plot cleanups within a two-month window, from April 1 to May 31 each year. Extensions will only be granted through a specific ministerial decision.
The deadline for submitting a declaration confirming the cleanup has also changed. Instead of operating without a clear cut-off, declarations must now be filed by June 15 each year. Greece’s national homeowners’ federation has called for this deadline to be moved to June 30, arguing that it would better reflect the practical challenges of completing the work and removing debris.
Higher Fines for Non-Compliance
The most notable change concerns financial penalties. Until now, the fine for failing to clear a plot stood at €0.50 per square meter, with a minimum charge of €200.
Starting in 2026, that rate will double to €1 per square meter, while the minimum fine remains unchanged. This adjustment significantly increases the financial burden for owners of medium-sized and large plots.
Softer Penalties for Missed Declarations
At the same time, authorities are revising penalties related to failure to submit a cleanup declaration. Previously, fines could reach €1,000, regardless of whether the land had actually been cleared.
Under the new system:
- A €500 fine will apply if the plot was not cleaned and no declaration was filed.
- A €100 fine will apply if the cleanup was completed but not declared.
Homeowners’ representatives have welcomed this change, describing it as a necessary correction to what they say was an unreasonable rule, particularly in cases where owners had already complied in practice.
Outstanding Issues
Despite the improvements, the homeowners’ federation warns that key problems remain unresolved. Among them is the removal of debris after cleanups, a task that in practice falls to local authorities but is not clearly defined as their responsibility.
There are also ongoing concerns about how “cleanup” is officially defined, with calls for clearer and more practical standards in fire safety regulations.
