Extension granted for development of small off-plan plots

The relevant provision is included in Article 133 of the draft law of the Ministry of Development titled “Consumer Protection, transposition of Directives (EU) 2023/2673, (EU) 2024/825 and (EU) 2024/1799, and other provisions,” which has been submitted to Parliament and also incorporates provisions proposed by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (YPEN).

The regulation primarily concerns off-plan plots of land smaller than 4 stremmas, such as those measuring 750, 1,200 and 2,000 square metres, which have frontage on international, national, provincial, municipal or community roads, as well as on abandoned sections of such roads or railway lines. A key condition is that owners must have secured their building rights in a timely manner by submitting an application for preliminary building permit approval or for a certificate of building terms by 9 December 2022, within the two-year deadline provided under Law 4759/2020.

The extension applies to so-called “small” off-plan plots resulting from earlier land subdivisions that meet specific requirements of buildability. In particular, it covers plots that existed prior to key dates in planning legislation and comply with the required minimum standards regarding frontage, depth and area. The provision also covers plots located within urban zones and settlements, plots reduced in size due to expropriations or road construction, parcels created through land redistribution (land consolidation), as well as plots exceeding 4,000 square metres when intended for tourism development projects.

In addition, it provides that preliminary building permits already issued and due to expire earlier are extended until 30 June 2027. In this way, building rights are maintained for those who acted in a timely manner, avoiding the risk of losing development entitlements.

This legislative initiative provides the necessary time for both property owners and engineers to complete the required planning procedures and proceed with the issuance of building permits. At the same time, it helps ease pressure on the competent authorities and temporarily safeguards the ability to develop thousands of off-plan properties until the new urban planning framework is established.