The process for individuals to purchase encroached real estate has officially commenced.

What is encroached real estate?

In the realm of real estate, encroachment occurs when a property owner infringes upon their neighboring landowner’s rights. This typically happens when the first owner constructs or expands a feature of their property in such a way that it extends beyond the established boundary lines, intruding onto the adjacent property. This unauthorized crossing of property boundaries can involve structures, landscaping elements, or other physical alterations that improperly occupy space belonging to the neighboring landowner.

Under specific circumstances, the purchase price for these plots of land may be reduced by up to 80% and can be paid in as many as 60 interest-free installment, according to the new provisions delineated by Kostis Hatzidakis, Thanos Petralias and Dimitris Papastergiou.

The digital platform for application submissions will launch on September 30th for properties located in twenty specific Regional Units, including Aetolia-Acarnania, Arcadia, Evros, and omany more, with the platform extending its coverage to all remaining Regional Units across Greece on October 31. Interested parties must submit their applications by September 30, 2025, or October 31, 2025, depending on their region.

Key aspects of the procedure are as follows:

1. Digital Platform: Applicants will submit their requests and supporting documents through the General Secretariat of Information Systems and Digital Governance’s online platform (https://aeda.apps.gov.gr). Individual applicants will access the system using their Taxisnet credentials, while legal entities will use their organization’s Taxisnet codes. The system also allows for submissions by authorized representatives.
2. Application Evaluation: Each application undergoes a three-stage review process:
   • The Directorate of Public Property conducts an initial check for file completeness.
   • The relevant Land Service performs a thorough examination of the file’s content.
   • A specialized Committee assesses whether the conditions for purchasing state property are met.
3. Application Details: The submission must include the applicant’s full name, tax identification number (TIN), contact information (phone and email), mailing address, and specifics about the property in question, referencing the applicable law. For applications on behalf of legal entities, the legal representative’s information must be provided.
4. Digital Dossier: A comprehensive digital file is created for each application, containing essential information such as:
   • Applicant’s personal details (or legal entity representative’s information)
   • Residential address
   • Contact information
   • Detailed description of the public property (including type, official numbers, cadastral information)
   • Property specifications (location, size, building permits, objective value assessments, topographic diagrams, cadastral extracts)
   • Information about the area to be purchased
   • Evidence of property possession (including historical tax documents and property declarations)
   • Any applicable exemptions or discounts
   • Supplementary documentation proving possession of the public property
   • Electronic payment receipt for the application fee

The process continues with several more steps, including:

1. Application Modifications: Applicants can save their progress and make changes until final submission. After submission, modifications are only possible upon request from relevant authorities.
2. Application Tracking: The platform allows applicants to monitor their application’s progress through various stages until final approval or rejection.
3. File Completeness Check: The Directorate of Public Property conducts an initial review to ensure all required documents are present.
4. Eligibility Verification: A specialized Purchase Committee thoroughly examines the application and supporting documents to determine if all conditions for purchase are met.
5. Committee Decision: After careful consideration, the Committee provides a reasoned recommendation for either approval or rejection of the application.
6. Final Decision: The competent authority within the Ministry of National Economy and Finance issues either a rejection decision or a purchase certificate, which is then added to the application’s digital file.

This comprehensive process aims to streamline the acquisition of illegally occupied state properties while ensuring proper vetting and documentation. According to government officials, it represents a significant opportunity for individuals to legitimize their property holdings and for the state to resolve long-standing land disputes.