Property Legalization Law Guide. How to Legalize a Property in Crete (Greece)

Which buildings should be legalized according to the Greek property legalization law? Which is the procedure to legalize a property? “In many cases, several property owners in Chania are not aware of their “property status” and what is the process to legalize a building.

Property Legalization in Greece
Property Legalization in Greece.

Photo by Bill Oxford on Unsplash

Property Legalization Law in Greece: If we were to impose the law to the letter, we’d detect unauthorized building works everywhere, from luxurious premises such as villas and hotels to small residential structures. Chania illegal structures: No one can say for sure how many illegal building structures (Afthaireta) there are throughout Chania.

The issue has been around for generations. Perhaps you may be wondering how buildings or structures you legally own and declare on your taxes can be regarded as ‘illegal’. With emphasis in Chania illegal structures and how ARENCORES can help owners with property legalization, let’s review the definitions of ‘illegal structures’ and ‘property legalization’ as per the Greek statute.

A GUIDE TO THE PROPERTY LEGALIZATION LAW – CHANIA ILLEGAL STRUCTURES

As an engineer who has been educated and currently lives in Greece, I am regularly approached by property owners and real estate investors so as to describe how to deal with the changes in the Greek property laws, codes, taxes and property legalization regulations. As the owner and operator of the real estate services firm, ARENCORES and founder of the Architecture and Engineering Consultancy Services firm ARENCOS, I provide consultancy to clients all over the world from design to construction and property management, as well as navigation to Greece’s new property laws including property legalization.

This article, defines what constitutes an illegal property, the penalties associated, property declaration procedures, and how to establish your property legality in compliance with the Greek Should your property must be legalized according to the Greek property legalization law. Will payment of property tax or rates suffice in legalizing a structure’s irregularities? The answer is NO. The following information provided is significantly important, should you wish your property to be compliant to the late Building Legality Laws.

PROPERTY LEGALIZATION LAW

In general no one can estimate the exact number of the Chania illegal structures. In the past, planning laws have been regularly ignored with owners building a house of, say, 160 square metres when they only have permission to build 100 square metres Because of the irregularities in respect to planning permissions and the topography plans the property is considered as illegal. In such cases a retrospective planning permission (property legalization) is issued.

If a business operates in a building structure with irregularities, no business permit can be obtained and there is a high risk of seizure. Chania illegal structures cannot typically be registered with the cadastral office or the land register. Further, no connection to communal utilities (water, electricity, etc.) is granted. While the grace period for compliance is still in effect, it is advised that property owners conduct a ‘legal check’ of their property. I strongly recommend, that even if you are not considering selling at the moment, secure and protect what you own. Appoint a certified engineer to do an on-site inspection to prove and verify if your property is in compliance with issued permits and meet the property legalization law criteria.

WHAT IS AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE?

The term “illegal structure” as per the Greek statute, refers to all structures and constructions that were built without planning permission from the Town planning authorities such as the construction of a  storage room, garage, conservatory or outbuilding not included in the building permit’s approved architectural drawings and diagrams. The term “unauthorized use” refers to the use of a space that is inconsistent with the purpose that was initially declared in the approved plans of the building permit; for example a space defined as an underground storage in the building permit is unauthorized to be used as a house. Both an illegal structure or unauthorized space use ought to be legalized in respect to the Greek building law provisions.

As of September 21, 2011, the owner of any property (building or land) is responsible for  the property legality and is obliged to proceed to the irregularity declaration, if any, and provide  the “Legality Certificate” in order to transfer ownership. This standard is intended to provide legal and planning security for the parties involved in the property transactions and it basically states the “as-built status” of structures.

The irregularity declaration procedure includes review of the following:

  • survey of existing buildings
  • topography legality in respect to the area specified law provisions
  • plot boundaries, levels and construction placement verification
  • total building coverage and associative areas recording
  • existing site contours and levels
  • floor plans of existing buildings
  • position of outdoor living and service courts
  • location and extent of any identified heritage item
  • existing boundary treatments, e.g. fencing, screening
  • relationship to adjoining roads and subdivision boundaries

Apparently, property owners in Greece should realize that there is a critical gap on what has actually been constructed in comparison to what has been declared on building permits, certifications and Deeds!


In general no one can estimate the exact number of the Chania illegal structures. In the past, planning laws have been regularly ignored.


Common paradigm of irregularities (Chania illegal structures-properties) include any closed space areas, extensions to existing buildings as well as enclosed balconies, deck, patio, terrace verandas, car parks, attics and basements or garages converted into living space, all without having been reported in the building permit plans. Owners with illegally converted basements and cellars may face civil and criminal penalties and this is because occupants of illegal structures face potential dangers such as carbon monoxide poisoning, insufficient light and ventilation and inadequate egress in the event of a fire incident. Landscape structures such as, pergolas, fences, rainwater tanks and fixed barbecues, outdoor fireplace, swimming pools and shade canopies all built without permits are also considered as irregularities and should therefore be legalized.

PROPERTY LEGALIZATION DURING THE GRACE PERIOD

While the compliance requirements have not changed significantly, the penalty enforcement risk has increased dramatically. The irregularity property legalization Law 4178/2013 pertains to all illegal building works or unauthorized use of a space carried out between the year 1955 and only until 28/07/2011. According to the law all such cases must be declared within 18 months of the date since the law came into force (08/08/2013) and thus property owners could take advantage of this grace period for compliance. The law force was initially until the 8th of February 2016, but has now been extended until the 23rd of July 2017.

During the compliance plan grace period property owners are advised to conduct an on-site “legality inspection” for their property, even if they are not considering to transfer their property. Appoint a certified expert from ARENCORES to do an on-site inspection to confirm if your property and the associated structures are in compliance with the specific building and planning permits.

Do have in mind that according to the property legalization law, only certified architects and engineers, registered members of the Technical Chamber of Greece can manage, complete and issue the legalizing Declaration and the Legality Certificate. In the event of limitations in collecting the procedure’s required documentation (building permits and plans, ownership deeds and contracts of purchase, land registry certificates) a member of ARENCORES can obtain the certified copies on your behalf from the Property Registration Authority, the Town-planning and the Municipality in which your property is registered.

CHANIA ILLEGAL STRUCTURES | PROPERTY DECLARATION

The property legalization law also introduces an important condition: that no property can be sold or transferred without a legality certificate from an engineer, confirming the accuracy of the plans.

The property legalizing declaration involves the irregularity declaration and the fine payment for the irregular structures. The fine is estimated in respect to the size, age etc. of the illegal constructions. The irregular structures’ penalty may be paid in monthly installments or in full with a 20% discount. There is also an option to pay 30% of the total fine and receive a 10% discount in the rest of the fine due.

The was of payment are summarized below:

  • pay in full and receive a 20% discount on the total fine;
  • pay 30% deposit and receive a 10% discount in the rest of the amount due which is paid in monthly installments; or
  • pay interest-free monthly or six-month installments

CAN I AVOID MY PROPERTY LEGALIZATION?

The Declaration and Legality Certificate for your property is indispensable should you wish to sell, rent or transfer your assets to family members. The Notary will request for the certificate as this is obligatory to be attached in all property transfer contracts.

Owners and potential buyers who proceed with a sale or transfer without the legality certificate could face a fine of 30,000 up to 100,000 euros and a six-month prison sentence. This is certainly not another practice from the Greek Government to collect property taxes from homeowners.

The prospective intelligent type of building certification (Electronic Building ID Code) electronic platform will entirely modify the Greek real estate market as we know it today. Through this platform, all information will be monitored and electronically interconnected to public bodies engaged with property ownership such as the Ministry of Finance, the Hellenic Cadastre (Ktimatologio) and the Public Power Corporation. This of course requires that all buildings comply with their legally issued permits, or have been legalized.

Property Legalization Law Guide. How to Legalize a Property in Crete (Greece)
Property Legalization Law Guide. How to Legalize a Property in Crete (Greece)

Property Legalization Law Advice

For more information on the process required to legalize a property or for any other inquiry related to the Greek property legalization law, please visit or contact ARENCOS engineering and consultancy team.

You can get advice on buying and selling property in Chania, Crete from experts such as estate agents, conveyancers, tax consultants and property management specialists.  Our lawyer associates (third-party independent attorneys) can provide expert legal services on commercial, residential  and administrative issues to private and corporate clients, both Greek and foreign.

ARENCOS, is located on 26, Stratigou Tzanakaki Street, 73134, Chania, Crete – office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For any questions or to set an appointment, please contact Maria Gkika, Civil Engineer in Building Constructions at +30 2821112777 or by email at mariagkika@arencores.com.

For more information please contact ARENCORES team. ARENCORES, is located on 26, Stratigou Tzanakaki Street, 73134, Chania, Crete – office hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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REDS - Real Estate Data Sources and Information for the Greek Real Estate Sector by ARENCORES, Chania Real Estate Experts
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Property Law in Greece by ARENCORES
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Everything you need to know about the property transaction and home buying process in Chania, Crete.

Whether you’re looking for a detached house, a city center apartment or an office space, our guide will take you through all the required stages, from choosing a property which has the right usage classification to the finer points of the property transaction contracts and completion

Search for new properties for sale in Chania, Crete
Search for new properties for sale in Chania, Crete

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Thanks to a selected portfolio which includes luxury apartments, villas and land estates, ARENCORES is able to offer professional guidance in the choice of your ideal property in Crete, with the support of its expertise and local knowledge combined with total confidentiality, exceptional ethical performance, transparency and reserve.

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