Maria
Lawyer · Corfu, Greece
- 436 cases handled
- 9+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German, Greek, Russian
- Law, National and Capodistrian University of Athens
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4.96(35 reviews)
Building Permits & Planning Permission in Greece
Lawyers for owners and buyers in Greece who need a building permit (οικοδομική άδεια) or a small-scale works approval, who want to know what may be built on a plot, or who have to legalise works done without a permit.
About Building Permits & Planning Permission in Greece
A building permit in Greece, planning permission or a building licence in other English, is the οικοδομική άδεια, issued through the electronic system of the Technical Chamber (e-Άδειες) on the application of a licensed engineer and checked by the municipal building service (ΥΔΟΜ, the “πολεοδομία”). Smaller jobs go through an approval for small-scale works (έγκριση εργασιών μικρής κλίμακας). The third big topic is αυθαίρετα: buildings or parts of buildings put up without a permit, which Greece has allowed owners to legalise under schemes that have been extended and amended many times. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Urban Planning Law”. It is written for foreign owners and buyers in Greece.
Three situations
- Building or extending. A new house on a plot, an extra floor, a pool, a fence: an engineer prepares the file and applies; the permit depends on the plot's building terms (όροι δόμησης), on whether the land is inside or outside the town plan (εντός / εκτός σχεδίου), and on any protected status: forest, archaeology, coastline.
- Legalising. A closed-in balcony, a converted basement, a house larger than its permit: an engineer declares the works under the legalisation scheme, a fee is paid and a certificate is issued. Without it the property cannot be sold or transferred.
- Disputes and penalties. A refused permit, a stop order, a demolition order or a fine; a neighbour's complaint; a dispute with the archaeological or forestry service.
How it works in Greece
The owner does not file anything himself: a civil engineer or an architect submits the application and the drawings electronically; the building service checks the file and the building terms; for land outside the plan or in protected zones other authorities give their opinion first. Approval for small-scale works is quicker and covers jobs that do not touch the structure. For legalisation the engineer measures the property, classifies the violations and files the declaration; the engineer's certificate that there are no unauthorised works, or that they have been legalised, is required at every sale.
Where a lawyer comes in
The engineer deals with the drawings; the lawyer deals with rights and procedures: whether the owner has a right to build at all (title, co-owners, easements, the plot's buildability), objections and appeals against a refusal or a fine, the legal side of a legalisation when the title or the previous owner's permits are unclear, forest and archaeological classifications, and the checks a buyer makes before paying for a property, see property purchase. A lawyer also acts when a seller cannot produce the engineer's certificate (property sale), when a boundary or an easement blocks a project (property rights and disputes), and when a penalty is challenged (fines and administrative penalties).
Questions and answers
Do I need a permit to renovate my flat in Greece?
Interior works that leave the structure alone often need only a small-scale approval or none at all; anything touching load-bearing elements, the facade or the floor area needs a permit. The engineer classifies the job.
The house I want to buy has works without a permit. Is that a problem?
Yes. Unauthorised works stop a transfer until they are legalised, and legalisation is not always possible; the engineer's and the lawyer's checks come before the preliminary agreement.
Can I build on a plot outside the town plan?
Sometimes, within the terms that apply to land outside the plan, which have been tightened; forest or archaeological status can rule it out. A certificate of building terms answers it for a specific plot.
What if I receive a fine or a demolition order?
There are time limits to object and appeal; a lawyer reviews the order and the file and lodges the objection with the engineer's report.
2 lawyers who provide Building Permits & Planning Permission in Greece
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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Fotis
Lawyer · Mytilene, Greece
- 11 cases handled
- 6+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Greek
- MSc in law and informatics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
Talk to a lawyer about Building Permits & Planning Permission
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What our clients say about our service in Greece
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I am really happy with her. Every time I wrote she answered fast, so I never had to chase her for news of how things were going. She understood what I needed straight away and, with her perfect English, explained the parts I had not followed without making me feel stupid. She was also nice to deal with. The price was fair, and in short she got it done, so I am glad I chose her.
— Antoine03 Jul 2026 -
I recently worked with a lawyer who managed to get my divorce certificate within the promised timeline, even though the information I first gave was limited. From our very first contact she showed great professionalism and expertise. She was patient and understanding and took me through the process step by step, and her English was perfect, so I never had trouble following. I was truly impressed by her attention to detail and her commitment to my case. I am grateful for her dedication and support at what could have been a stressful time, and I was completely satisfied with the result. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs legal assistance. Thank you for the outstanding service!
— Yvonne08 Aug 2025 -
The lawyer was welcoming and very knowledgeable in the area where I needed help, and went above and beyond with information and solutions to keep the process as smooth and simple as possible. Her English was flawless, everything was completed promptly, and I could not be happier with my experience.
— Dean02 Jul 2025 -
The lawyer phoned me back promptly after my first enquiry and reassured me that she could get me a duplicate of my Greek marriage certificate, translated into English. Throughout the process she kept me posted, in flawless English, and was quick to answer my questions. The service was good value for the work involved, and I would not hesitate to use her again if the need ever arises.
— John20 Oct 2023 -
Kind and very helpful.
— Rajinder05 May 2026 -
Very responsive, helpful and good value for money. The lawyer was very professional and reported every step of the process. Excellent assistance. Thank you!
— Julie03 Jan 2023 -
I am in Canada and needed a Greek police clearance certificate, but could not get it anywhere, not even at the Greek embassy here. Then I found this service online, and the help could not have been better: my certificate came within 5 business days.
— Mukhpal19 Sep 2025 -
The lawyer was exceptionally helpful. The document was urgent, and she had it ready in only three days. Prompt communication from her was particularly reassuring and made the whole process stress-free. The price was very reasonable too, much cheaper than traveling to Greece myself, and I was completely satisfied with the outcome. Thank you for the outstanding support.
— Saleh03 Jul 2025 -
The lawyer replied promptly by phone and updated me at each stage of the process. I cannot fault her: she was perfect, and she even translated my document into English for me. I am completely satisfied with the quick turnaround, which took 5 days, exactly as she had promised.
— Patricia28 Feb 2025 -
She did such a great job obtaining a Greek police record for one of my clients, and I would recommend her. She answered my queries very quickly and professionally, and she is kind and did all she could to provide the service I needed.
— Prabhjot25 Jan 2023 -
Very communicative throughout the process, professional and friendly, with perfect English. The lawyer did an amazing job on our project, in good time.
— Lynda28 Nov 2022 -
The lawyer responded immediately to my needs and was able to provide instant solutions. Her English is faultless and her explanations are clear and accurate. She is approachable and answers any query or concern without delay, and her professionalism is perfect. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone, since she provides an outstanding service.
— Steve26 Aug 2022