The demarcation of settlements less than 2000 residents raising plots issue as parcels and imposes restrictions on the construction, was at the center of the debate that had been in the House of House earlier today by the Minister of Environment. Stavros Papastavrou and the Deputy Minister Nikos Tagaras with her Members New Democracy.
The two ministers informed the ruling party members about the developments around the Presidential Decree 194/D/2025 on the Limitation of settlements below 2,000 inhabitants.
On this issue, many MPs, such as George Kotsos (Karditsa), Mika Iatridis (Dodecanese), Dimitris Kalogeropoulos (Western Sector of Athens), Christina Alexopoulos (Achaia), have been heard on this issue, such as George Kotsos (Karditsa).
During the debate, New Democracy MPs pointed out that that local communities record strong reactions, while Heraklion MP Lefteris Avgenakis said that the PD was hurried and frivolous, without planning and without calculating its complexity and impacts on the economy. Mr Avgenakis submitted an alternative proposal in which he suggested a series of changes to the existing context.
80% of the plots are threatened by declassification
“We all agree that there is a need to get in order. It is necessary to have a clear and stable framework for which it can be built, what and with what specifications, ”Mr Avgenakis said, adding that PD 194/D/2025 is initially an important institutional intersection for the demarcation of settlements below 2,000 inhabitants. Its aim is to restore urban planning legality, after decades of ambiguity and arbitrariness. But it creates more problems than it is trying to solve. In fact, it cannot and should not be applied in this way that started.
In his post, Mr. Avgenakis pointed out that “the PD is announcing arrests after 1983, which had been made by prefect decisions, relying on old aerial photographs and ignoring buildings licensed.
Thousands of properties become out of plan, losing the right to build and their commercial value, without redemption or transitional provisions.
Plots are converted into fields.
There is uncertainty about ongoing building permits.
Worse still: they do not feel safe, nor those who have already built within the last 8 years (which is the reasonable time for the recall of administrative act).
These serious consequences affect almost the whole of society. According to statistics (TEE-TAK, 2025): 92% of the country’s settlements are less than 2,000 inhabitants. 80% of the plots are threatened with declassification.
It is estimated that it will be over € 100 billion to lose the commercial value of the property.
8,500 building permits, issued in 2024 in these settlements, are in the air.
The suspension of building permits on thousands of plots that were so far considered buildable, the decline in prices, the uncertainty for owners and investors, and the slowdown of building activity, make up a picture of stagnation and concern. ELSTAT data, for the first months of 2025, are revealing:
-17.3% decrease in building permits,
-37.2% reduction in surface,
-38.4% decrease in the volume of building activity. “
Avgenaki alternative
Mr. Avgenakis suggested:
“The establishment of transitional provisions, in order to protect the owners who invested in good faith in real estate, which are out of the way out and not to create a new wave of private suffocation and disputes of rights.
The rapid and effective implementation of demarcation procedures, with a clear timetable and commitments so that the social and economic life of small settlements are not violently overturned and there is a reasonable time for municipalities, engineers and citizens.
Complementary legislation on the integration of areas developed after 1983, with criteria documented, social law and in accordance with the decisions of the CoE.
Immediate regulation deposit, which describes areas as areas of control areas (PCs), with the condition of being a person on a communal route to protect properties that are now out of bounds, so as not to be cut off from development planning and maintain their value.
Utilizing Local & Special Planning Plans (ICT & EPS) and integration of settlements in local and special urban planning plans. Especially in the IP Heraklion and overall in Crete and other areas where the procedures have already begun, for documented and locally tailored limits.
Possibility to predict future urban planning per municipality so that the ICTs, to meet the future needs of the communities, enhancing sustainable expansion and avoiding new arbitrary development.
Alternatively, if the above is difficult to do immediately, it is important to examine the following:
To proceed with the legislative initiative to exclude the exclusion of small (up to 201 inhabitants) and medium (201-1000 inhabitants) settlements from the provisions of the PD delineation of settlements, for which the limits will be determined by the ICT & EPS based on the logic of ZONI III, which must be described by the CoE.
Continue to apply to small and medium -sized settlements that it is today.
If for any reason involvement with the CoE regarding the issuance of PDPs for ICTs may affect the disbursement by the recovery fund, each ICTs may be ratified separately by law order not to lose money. ”
“It is necessary to emphasize that we say yes, it’s time to get in order. But not to cancel the property of thousands of citizens, “Mr Avgenakis also said, concluding, saying that” this is a major political issue, perhaps the most important that the government is called upon to manage right now. Neither hurry, nor frivolity are needed. We should not entertain impressions, nor with communication tricks trying to manage a matter that touches the pocket, the property of every Greek citizen, every household. “
Greeks the Europeans who work most hours a week – the Dutch the fewer
“Center, from clothes looks little girl” – ELAS’s video from the baby’s location to Alimos
Varoufakis called a “ridiculous” journalist at a conference – Watch video