Greece’s Ministry of Environment and Energy is promoting a new provision to legalize tourism facilities built on forest-designated public land, including properties owned by the state and the Hellenic Tourism Organization (EOT), regardless of when they were constructed.
The measure covers infrastructure developed by the EOT, the Public Properties Company (ETAD), and private operators granted tourism rights. Included in a draft law on renewable energy currently under public consultation, the provision introduces a streamlined legalization process.
A certification issued by the EOT Secretary General would formally recognize these facilities as lawful. This would allow authorities to grant permits for repairs, maintenance, and upgrades without requiring input from forestry services. Environmental approvals for works within existing boundaries would also proceed without forestry authority involvement.
The certification—accompanied by a site diagram—would lock in the current footprint of each property, defining buildings and boundaries. The rules would also apply to properties that have already received similar certification.
The initiative focuses on legitimizing existing structures rather than enabling expansion. Any new construction beyond current limits would still fall under Greece’s Forest Code, requiring forestry approval, proof of public or development interest, environmental licensing, and compliance with strict building and compensation rules.
The bill also provides a grace period until December 31, 2027, for unauthorized tourist camps operating in forest areas to obtain permits, with no fines or demolitions imposed in the meantime.
Finally, it extends deadlines to the end of 2027 for the legalization of other unlicensed activities in forest areas, including livestock and poultry units, beekeeping, aquaculture, and certain religious structures built without prior forestry approval.
