You think you own a property in Greece - do you?

If you own property in Greece - or think you do - you need to register it on the new land registry finally being put into place by the Greek government. If you don't, you may find it difficult - or even impossible - to prove title and avoid boundary disputes in the future.

I know I said that I would be discussing driving in Greece – and I will – later. But I think that the contentious issue of the new, comprehensive land registry in Greece is so important that I want to give you some info right away.

You may or may not know that until recently Greece was one of only two European countries without a land register. Despite several previous attempts and millions spent in the past, efforts to create a proper land registry in Greece have foundered before. However, the process of registering millions of homes and plots of land in Greece’s first ever comprehensive land registry began on 17th June 2008.

Some three million Greek and expatriate property owners in 107 municipalities nationwide had up to the 30th September 2008 to register their title deeds with Ktimatologio AE, the state-owned company in charge of compiling the Hellenic National Land Registry or Cadastre. Needless to say, this date was not met and the deadline was extended more than once. Also, reports filtered through that not all municipalities had the ability as yet to register property so delays have been experienced.

This land registry process applies to both Greeks living in Greece, and anyone else who owns property in Greece. Those living abroad had until 30th December to register their land, but this date too was extended. Bear in mind that it may be that earlier claims may prevail in case of disputes – first come, first served as it were, so don't wait until the last moment. And keep notarised copies of any documents submitted in support of your claims. Late registration will attract a fine, the amount being decided by the type and the value of the property.

If you acquired the right to property after the expiration of the submission period, you’ll have to register it with the Cadastre within a month from the date of the registration of the contract at the Land Registry office.

The registration process is especially crucial for older properties which have not gone through any sort of title search when they have changed hands. Just because your family has "always owned it" won't confer any protection on you during this new process.

Property owners will be able to visit one of the 76 land registry offices to submit the relevant documents or can fill in forms on line at the registry’s website, which offers some information in its English-language version.

Some 3 million Greeks are expected to take part in the process.

Besides the option of authorizing a person through power of attorney to register property, there is also the possibility of submitting the registration on-line through the official Cadastre website and go to the sub-heading that reads ‘Operative Cadestre’. You can have the documentation posted to you I believe and the payment of the cost can be done by credit card.

Non-residents of Greece can check with the Greek Embassy or a Greek Consulate for the registry schedule of the area where their property is located. Updated information is available on the internet. Information is also available by writing to Ktimatologio A.E., 288 Messogion Avenue, 155 62 Holargos, Greece. The telephone number is +30 (210) 650-5600.

I hope this is helpful and I really would be most grateful for some input here…have you experienced this process? If so, I would love to hear about it.

Please be especially cautious of any offers of help from those you do not know. A really good, recommended lawyer would be the way to go here and I would consult him/her from the outset.

Carol
The Overseas Guides Company
Visit my main website at: http://www.GreeceBuyingGuide.com