The new administrative structure preserves the autonomy of the Hellenic Cadastre. The Building Permit Services (YDOM) will be transferred as a separate Directorate, without affecting the current staff of the organization. This new Directorate will be staffed by YDOM employees who will be gradually and voluntarily reassigned, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of services.
Urban Planning Departments will remain under municipal authority, while the Departments responsible for issuing building permits and conducting construction inspections will be integrated into the Cadastre.
It is worth recalling that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during his address at the 89th Thessaloniki International Fair, announced the government’s final decision to transfer the responsibility for issuing building permits from municipal YDOM offices to the “Hellenic Cadastre S.A.”
Structural Reform of YDOM Services
According to the Ministry, the YDOM offices currently under municipal administration face significant challenges in terms of functionality, organization, and efficiency. Despite the provisions of Law 3852/2010 ("Kallikratis"), fifteen years later, only 56% of municipalities operate their own YDOM, while the remaining 44% are served by neighboring municipalities — often with limited effectiveness.
The average time required to issue a building permit ranges from 6 to 8 months, with extreme cases taking up to 5 years. There are significant regional discrepancies due to inconsistent staffing levels and varying levels of employee expertise, leading to unequal application of the legislation. This situation has resulted in widespread public dissatisfaction, with customer service ratings averaging just 3.4 out of 10 — among the lowest in the public sector.
The proposed reform includes the integration of YDOM into the Hellenic Cadastre, aiming to establish a modern, digital hub for building and permitting services, featuring:
- One-stop-shop services: All processes related to construction and cadastral services will be consolidated within a unified digital environment.
- Full digital interoperability: Key platforms such as e-Permits, declarations of unauthorized constructions, and the Cadastre will be interconnected through the G-Cloud.
- Uniform legislative application and use of digital mapping tools.
- Central coordination of Construction Centers, ensuring improved organization and objectivity.
- Utilization of existing cadastral offices, reducing operational costs and facilitating a smoother transition.
