European Commission Accepts Completion of Urban Planning Studies by April 2026, Even Without Public Consultation or Ratification
As reported by the Secretary-General for Spatial Planning, Efthymios Bakoyannis, who participated in the "Law of Space" conference organized by the Legal Library, the European Commission has agreed to consider urban planning studies as completed if they are reviewed and accepted by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (YPEN) by April 2026, even if they have not yet undergone public consultation or been ratified.
This development provides a "breathing room" for approximately 60% of the ongoing urban planning studies and ensures their funding, without jeopardizing the absorption of European Union funds.
Mr. Bakoyannis explained that the funds will be deposited into a special account, and the planners will only be paid upon the completion of the public consultation and the preparation of the presidential decree, which will be accompanied by the relevant Strategic Environmental Impact Study.
Key Proposals for Road Recognition and Urban Planning
Regarding the recognition of roads, a draft presidential decree is expected to be submitted to the Council of State, outlining the criteria for classifying the road network based on geometric characteristics such as width and length. This is one of the most critical parameters influencing off-plan construction, as the ability to build depends on whether a road is recognized. This study, as clarified, will be based on historical aerial photographs from 1945 to 1977 and is expected to cover both islands and mainland Greece.
The Secretary-General clarified that road recognition cannot be done through urban planning studies, as it requires a separate and specialized study. Urban planning studies only rank the network (national, municipal, rural, etc.) and do not specify which roads are recognized (thereby granting building rights) and which are not, as he pointed out.
Public Consultation and Low Participation
Mr. Bakoyannis also addressed the low public participation in public consultations, expressing his disappointment and calling on municipalities to contribute actively and responsibly.
Furthermore, he emphasized that some studies will not be accepted due to poor quality, and the planners responsible will be dismissed.
According to him, the first urban planning studies to reach the Council of State for approval are likely to be those of Mykonos and Santorini. Along with these, the approach of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (YPEN) will be evaluated to see if it aligns with the existing case law.
