Off-plan construction: A regulation with notable changes is to be implemented in the near future

New regulations for off-plan construction are expected from the government, according to statements made by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at a tourism conference. Mitsotakis announced the intention to modify the legislative framework to align with the decisions of the Council of State (CoS), focusing on abolishing the easement requirement for off-plan plots.

Abolition of the Easement Requirement

The proposed regulation, which was “frozen” before the European elections due to backlash, required that for the construction of blind plots (without street access), there needed to be a legal easement established before 1985. The new approach aims to facilitate construction without these restrictive conditions.

Local Urban Planning Schemes

The Prime Minister emphasized that these restrictions are necessary to protect the Greek islands from unregulated construction. The local urban planning schemes, expected within 2-3 years, will define the construction terms. He noted that the preferred option is to encourage the purchase of holiday homes in settlements rather than building on individual plots.

New Building Regulation (NOK)

Mitsotakis also discussed developments regarding the new building regulation (NOK), stressing the importance of a holistic approach that considers environmental impact, energy efficiency, material quality, and other factors.

Issue of Swimming Pools and Overtourism

Regarding water consumption on the islands, the Prime Minister highlighted the need to regulate the use of swimming pools, particularly due to water scarcity. He also pointed out that the country does not face an issue of overtourism, but rather an excessive concentration of tourists in certain islands, such as Santorini.

Timeline for Legislation

Estimates on when the new regulatory framework will be presented vary, with some expecting the law to be submitted by the end of the year, while others anticipate it will be introduced in the new year.

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