1/29/2026
Building Permit Issuance and Construction Inspections Transferred to the Cadastre by 2027 – Municipal Permits Abolished
Greece’s building permit issuance and construction inspection system is entering a new phase, as responsibilities are gradually transferred from municipalities and former prefectural structures to the central government. A key role in this reform is assumed by the Hellenic Cadastre, which will take over inspections and the issuance of building permits by 2027.
The Hellenic Cadastre is undergoing a transformation in both structure and responsibilities, evolving into a National Organization for Cadastre and Building Control. The new body will centralize functions that were previously exercised at the local level, including the issuance of building permits, construction inspections, and overall supervision of urban planning legislation. At the same time, engineers currently staffing the country’s 185 Building Services will be transferred to the new Organization, operating within a unified administrative and organizational framework.
Implementation of the new system will begin on a pilot basis on July 1, with the first urban planning services being incorporated into the Cadastre’s administrative structure. The transition will take place gradually, with January 2027 set as the final milestone, when all Building Services will be fully integrated into the new Organization.
This reform, announced last autumn, restores responsibility for permitting to the central government, aiming to eliminate inequalities, delays, and divergent interpretations of planning legislation across different regions.
According to the plan, the new body will utilize the nationwide network of cadastral offices, covering nearly all critical construction-related procedures. These range from issuing building terms certificates and pre-approvals to granting final permits and conducting inspections during project execution. The core objective is the uniform application of rules and enhanced transparency at the national level.
In parallel, a registry of independent inspectors is being established, making inspections mandatory for every building permit prior to the commencement of construction works. Oversight mechanisms will be further strengthened through the use of digital artificial intelligence tools, which will support the prioritization and targeted execution of inspections based on objective criteria and risk assessment.
Municipalities will withdraw from the building permit issuance process but will retain a clearly defined and essential role. They will remain responsible for urban planning, land-use regulation, and urban regeneration projects, shaping the development profile of their areas without involvement in day-to-day permitting procedures.
For citizens, the new framework aims to simplify procedures and speed up service delivery. A unified digital service point—a modern one-stop shop—will be created, linking property rights, building permits, and inspections on a single platform. The goal is a substantial reduction in bureaucracy, faster processes, and consistent enforcement of urban planning legislation nationwide through a centrally managed and technologically upgraded system.
Source: https://radar.gr/article/sto-ktimatologio-pernoun-oi-elegchoi-kai-i-ekdosi-oikodomikon-adeion-eos-to-2027-telos-oi-adeies-stous-dimous#Echobox=1769369229