![Greek state: Title deeds to 90,000 encroached upon properties](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/ot_akinhta1.png)
The bill is in the pipeline and is expected to be tabled in Parliament in September. Under the new bill, the government plans to give legal title deeds to about 90,000 State properties that have been encroached upon by private individuals in recent decades.
Based on the new regulation, they will be given the opportunity to legalize them by paying the corresponding price and the amount of the acquisition will be calculated based on the objective values of the properties, which will be scaled according to the length of time of possession and the type of property.
Government plans foresee that some of these thousands of properties will be deeded to the encroachers at a corresponding price and the others will be returned to the Greek State for reasons of public interest.
The purpose of the new bill is to provide a solution to a problem that has roots in 1929 and to date no law has been able to regulate. It concerns about 90,000 cases and 92% of public properties that have become residences, estates or even professional venues.
With the new arrangement, the squatters of these properties will be able to buy them, restoring their ownership status and at the same time boosting public revenues with remuneration and property transfer taxes. The ownership regime of the State’s private property is thus settled and the State and the Judicial Authorities are freed from a significant number of pending bureaucratic procedures and trials.
Special committee
Each interested party will submit the necessary supporting documents so the relevant special committee that will be set up can examine the legitimacy of the properties claims, while the legal appeal of those who have submitted a claim will also be taken into account.
The information from the Ministry of Finance is that the acquisition of encroached public properties and lands will be done under conditions with clear, objective criteria, through a rapid and automated process. Safety barriers will be included to exclude properties that are necessary for state needs, or, are of environmental or archaeological interest.
A “key” to the regulation will reportedly be the length of time the encroached property has been owned by a landmark in 1980. So, with that given, in order to make claims to redeem an encroached property one would have to prove that they own the public property over 40 years, if the starting point is 1980.
For those who have encroached on public property after 1980, the draft law, according to current information, will not give the possibility of redemption and therefore will provide for their removal from the illegally encroached upon property, possibly with a fine.
It is estimated that of all public property, 47% of urban properties and 64% of rural areas have been encroached upon. In Attica, 8 out of 10 State properties are in the hands of squatters. In Thessaly and Central Greece 7 out of 10 and in the Aegean islands 6 out of 10.
The price
As for the price, its amount will vary, with social criteria taken into account, among other things. Remuneration will be low, that is, for citizens with proven financial weakness, for vulnerable groups, those with many children, the disabled and for cases where a first residence has been built on the encroached property. Therefore, holiday home cases will be excluded.
Also, for the acquisition of agricultural land, it should be proven that the owner’s main occupation is farmer, subject to conditions.
The right to purchase a property will not be granted if there are reasons of public interest, such as national defense, public security, other justified state needs, or fall under the provisions of forestry legislation, are within a coastal zone and fall within an area that has been declared an archaeological site.
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![ELSTAT: 1.5% Increase in Business Turnover in May 2024](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/epixeiriseis_2-600x414.jpg)
ELSTAT: 1.5% Increase in Business Turnover in May 2024
The most significant increase in turnover in May 2024 compared with May 2023 was recorded from the enterprises of the Accommodation and Food Service Activities, sector which grew by 14.8%.
![Cosco: Container Traffic Decline at Piraeus Port Continues](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/olp1-scaled-1-2048x1312-1-600x384.jpg)
Cosco: Container Traffic Decline at Piraeus Port Continues
This strategic shift has diminished Piraeus's standing as a prominent Mediterranean port and a key transshipment hub post-Suez Canal.
![Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/power-lines-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates
According to reports, the government will resume an electricity subsidization program, given that forecasts cite disruptions – i.e. higher rates
![ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ot_georg_PROIONTA_money-1-600x352.png)
ELSTAT: 6.3% Increase in Output Price Index for Agriculture and Livestock
The 6.3% rise in May 2024 is largely driven by an 8.8% increase in the crop output group, particularly due to changes in olive oil prices, and a 0.5% increase in the animal output group.
![Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/blackout-1-600x457.png)
Balkans Blackout Highlights Climate Threats to Power Grids
The surge in electricity demand during the heat wave and the power deficit in Balkan markets have driven up prices in the Greek wholesale electricity market.
![Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ploio-600x400.jpg)
Greece in Top 4 Destinations Favored by European Tourists
Greece was selected by 5.9% of respondents who were asked where they would vacation this year, up from 5.4% in the same survey last year
![Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/euros-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Scope Affirms Greece’s BBB- Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive
The international ratings firm raised Greece to investment grade in early August 2023
![First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/hellenic-seaplanes-pilotikes-ptiseis-ydatino-pedio-lavriou-600x450.jpeg)
First Seaplane Test Flights to Skopelos, Alonissos, Skyros
After decades of on-again, off-again efforts to schedule regular seaplane routes to Greece's numerous island and coastal destinations the prospect now appears within sight
![ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/unnamed-41.jpg)
ELSTAT- Overall Import Price Index for May 2024 up 2.8% y-o-y
The same price index had decreased 20.8% from May 2022 to May 2023
![Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ergasia-ergazomenos-600x300.jpg)
Over 7 in 10 Employees Feel Their Contributions Are Not Appreciated
Specifically, the option "Subjective opinions are prioritized over objective data" ranked highest in importance for young employees, with a score of 3.89 out of 4