Major reform transfers building permit functions to the Hellenic Cadastre

This initiative constitutes a major administrative and digital reform in the way urban planning and building control services are organized and operated in Greece.

The total budget of the project amounts to €6.2 million and will be fully financed through the National Development Programme. The initiative provides for the establishment of new “Building Centers” within the organizational structure of the Hellenic Cadastre, to which a substantial portion of the responsibilities currently exercised by the Municipal Building Services (YDOM) will be gradually transferred.

More specifically, these new centers will be responsible for the issuance of building permits as well as the inspection and control of construction activities. As a result, key urban planning functions that are currently decentralized across municipalities will be consolidated under a single central authority.

According to the reform plan, the initiative seeks to fundamentally transform the way citizens and professionals are served in the construction and building sector. Its primary objective is to simplify a process that is often regarded as time-consuming and complex, while also enhancing transparency and predictability in building permit decisions.

At the same time, particular emphasis is placed on the uniform application of planning and building legislation throughout the country. Through the centralization of services, the reform aims to reduce the inconsistencies in interpretation that currently exist between municipalities, which frequently result in delays and unequal treatment.

A key component of the reform is the complete digital transformation of the system. The utilization of digital maps and information systems developed by the Hellenic Cadastre, combined with enhanced staff training, is expected to improve both the speed and accuracy of inspections, as well as the overall efficiency of service delivery.

Particular importance is also attached to the centralized coordination of procedures, with the objective of achieving a more balanced distribution of workload and eliminating bottlenecks that currently cause delays in both permit issuance and the monitoring of unauthorized constructions. Within this framework, a more standardized and unified operating model is being promoted, providing greater predictability for engineers and citizens alike.

The project also предусматриes full interoperability between the Hellenic Cadastre’s information systems and the new Building Centers, ensuring that data exchange takes place automatically and without bureaucratic obstacles.

The project deliverables include the provision of technical and financial advisory services, as well as technical assistance to support the implementation of the reform.

The implementation timetable is considered particularly demanding. The project is scheduled to commence on 18 March 2026, while the deadline for entering into legally binding commitments for the individual sub-projects is set for 30 September 2026. The overall completion of the initiative is expected by 31 December 2027.

The competent authorities emphasize that implementation must proceed without delays, as any significant deviation from the approved plan may lead to a review or even revocation of the funding approval decision.