Two legislative proposals are expected to be submitted to Parliament in the near future, introducing a comprehensive new framework for the registration and management of significant public real estate assets. The primary objective is to optimize the value and strategic use of these assets—both as investment vehicles and for advancing social housing initiatives.
Donations to the State
The forthcoming legislation concerning donations to the State will introduce several key provisions, including:
Creation of a National Registry of Benefactors and Donors: A dedicated digital platform will be established, allowing individuals and organizations to submit donation proposals to the State. This platform will also interface with the Anti-Money Laundering Authority, which will be notified of all donations, particularly those exceeding €500,000.
Tax Incentives for Donors: The legislation is expected to introduce significant tax benefits, including the elimination of the 22% income tax for foundations and bequests from the year of their activation in the bequest registry. Additionally, the 0.5% donation tax currently applicable to charitable contributions made to public-benefit foundations is also expected to be abolished.
Management of Inactive or Unclaimed Inheritances
The bill will also address long-standing gaps in the management of unclaimed inheritances, introducing measures such as:
Real-Time Notification of Inheritance Rights: Authorities will receive immediate updates regarding potential inheritance rights—either via wills or intestate succession—through integration with the National Civil Registry and the Ministry of Justice’s information systems.
Establishment of a Registry of Guardians for Unclaimed Inheritances: This registry will include curators, estate administrators, and public inheritance auditors. Eligible participants will include legal professionals, certified accountants, and auditing firms.
Streamlining of Inheritance Liquidation Processes: Procedures for evaluating and liquidating inheritances will be expedited, with particular focus on assessing the assets' value and reducing bureaucratic delays.
Dispute Resolution Mechanism: Legal disputes involving claims against the State’s inheritance rights will be adjudicated by the Single-Member Court of First Instance.
Strategic Utilization of State-Owned Real Estate
The Hellenic Public Properties Company (ETAD) will assume a central role in managing and leveraging public real estate assets. Mapping efforts have already begun on approximately 36,000 properties, with the aim of categorizing them into asset portfolios and establishing specialized asset management entities, potentially involving private sector stakeholders.
These portfolios will be grouped and offered through public tenders. The Ministry of National Economy and Finance plans to launch the first tender in the coming months, involving the development of an initial portfolio of 1,000 properties.
In parallel, a separate tendering process will be initiated for the strategic development of high-value and landmark public properties, further enhancing the efficient and sustainable use of public assets.
