By Ilias Karagiannis
Tension is mounting among many members of the Greek diaspora in Australia as the final deadline of 30 November 2024 for registering properties with the Hellenic Cadastre approaches. The countdown now stands at just over one week.
Numerous Greek expatriates living in Australia are expressing concerns over the possibility of losing their properties in Greece if they fail to complete the required procedures in time. The Greek Herald has received several calls from its readers, highlighting this critical issue and noting a lack of sufficient information about the upcoming deadline.
Prompted by the concerns of our readers, The Greek Herald secured an exclusive interview with Stelios Sakaretsios, President of the Hellenic Cadastre, who readily agreed to address our questions.
Mr Sakaretsios discusses the necessary steps property owners need to take, debunks rumours of property loss, stresses the importance of timely compliance, and rules out the possibility of extending the deadline. Additionally, he acknowledges that communication with Greeks living abroad could have been more effective and outlines the measures that have been implemented to simplify the registration process.
In recent days, we have received numerous calls from concerned expatriates who have only just learned that November 30 is the final deadline to register their properties or land with the Hellenic Cadastre. Many are worried they will lose their property in Greece if they fail to register in time. Is such a scenario possible?
First of all, I would like to assure all expatriates that it is not our intention for anyone to lose their property. On the contrary, our goal is to protect it and safeguard their rights. Participation in the Hellenic Cadastre process is crucial to ensure the protection of each owner’s property.
We understand that, especially for those living abroad, gathering the necessary documentation can be time-consuming. For this reason, in areas such as Corfu, Thesprotia, and Crete, where participation has been lower, we have activated a new digital tool available at https://dilosi.ktimatologio.gr. Using this platform, property owners can simply start their application by November 30 and be granted additional time to complete it.
Furthermore, the government, through a recent legislative initiative by the Ministry of Digital Governance, has established procedures that allow for the declaration of rights even after the completion of the cadastral process, as well as the correction of errors in most cases.
However, I would like to emphasise the importance of participating now. We have seen cases where, due to inactivity, neighbours or third parties attempted to claim properties that did not belong to them. Timely registration is the best shield of protection for your property. Therefore, we urge everyone to participate in this process to secure their rights.
Could a special extension be granted for Greeks living abroad, and if so, under what conditions?
I know from personal experience that Greeks abroad, particularly those in Australia, honour and cherish their homeland in a unique way, even while living far from Greece’s daily realities. We fully understand that the distance and different life priorities may have prevented many from taking steps to register their property with the Cadastre.
Throughout the various phases of this project, multiple extensions have been granted to complete the process, and from the outset, expatriates were given more time than residents of Greece. At present, there is no provision for yet another extension.
However, as I mentioned earlier, unlike in the past, we now have the legislative and technological tools to ensure that even after November 30, property owners will have opportunities to protect their assets. Procedures are in place for the declaration of rights even after the completion of the cadastral process, as well as extrajudicial mechanisms for correcting errors. These options, however, are subject to specific conditions, as outlined earlier.
While immediate participation remains the best course of action, I want to reassure everyone that the state has taken measures to protect the rights of Greek expatriates even after the deadline, under the terms already established.
The public awareness campaign in Greece lasted for many years, with continuous updates provided to citizens. Although you are relatively new to this vital role, do you believe there was a similar campaign abroad? For example, The Greek Herald did not receive material from consulates or the Embassy in recent years.
I would like to clarify that our communication strategy does not include the distribution of printed materials through consulates or embassies. Due to limited resources and the need for their most effective utilisation, we have prioritised digital platforms and social media, which allow us to communicate more swiftly, accurately, and to a broader audience.
While this approach has proven effective in most cases, we acknowledge that there is room for improvement, particularly regarding informing Greeks abroad. For 2025, when we will initiate new actions to raise awareness about procedures for correcting errors and additional features of the Cadastre, we plan to expand our strategy to include traditional communication channels.
What should our compatriots in Australia do now to avoid the hassle and, even at the last minute, manage to register their property with the Land Registry? Is there a list of deadlines by region available anywhere? Some of our readers mentioned that the deadlines by region weren’t very clear.
They should immediately take the necessary steps to register their property with the Land Registry. The first and most important step is to visit the platform https://dilosi.ktimatologio.gr, and if it’s not possible to complete the process fully by November 30, they should at least begin an application. This will allow them to secure additional time to complete the process, in accordance with the law’s provisions.
As for the deadlines by region, detailed information is provided through two official sources:
- The interactive map of the Land Registry, which is available at https://maps.ktimatologio.gr, and
- The official website of the Land Registry, where a detailed list of deadlines is available in Excel format at https://www.ktimatologio.gr/pliroforiako-yliko/ktimatologio-se-leitourgia/16.
Immediate action is crucial to secure property rights, and we urge all property owners to utilise the available tools and information provided. The state has made all necessary resources available to facilitate this important process.
We have also received some calls mentioning that IP addresses from abroad were being blocked. Additionally, many of our older compatriots are struggling with new technology. Do they have an alternative?
We understand the concerns being raised, particularly regarding the challenges faced by our older citizens or those who are not familiar with using technology. However, I would like to clarify that the submission of declarations can only be done via the digital platform, and there is no option for in-person submissions.
To facilitate all citizens, we have developed user-friendly digital tools, such as the platform https://dilosi.ktimatologio.gr, which is designed to be simple and intuitive. If some older property owners are struggling to use it, we recommend seeking help from family members, friends, or others in their community who can support them through the process.
Regarding IP addresses, there is no block for users from abroad. If some have encountered such issues, they were likely related to temporary technical problems, which have already been resolved.
The Prime Minister recently mentioned that the Land Registry will be completed by the end of 2025. Do you believe this will be achievable by that specific date, and are you satisfied with the pace of the process?
After three decades of efforts, the Land Registry, a milestone project of national importance, is now on track for completion. The Prime Minister’s commitment to completing it by the end of 2025 is entirely realistic, and we are working with determination to make it a reality.
When last year, the Deputy Minister of Digital Governance, Konstantinos Kyranakis, took on the Land Registry project and I, together with Olympia Markellou, the General Director of the Land Registry, took over the management of the organisation, the registration completion rate was only at 39%. In less than a year, thanks to targeted acceleration initiatives we implemented, this percentage rose to 52%. By the end of January 2024, it will reach 75%, and by the end of 2025, we will have completed the Land Registry across the entire country.
Completing the Land Registry is not just an administrative achievement. It is the protection of property rights for every Greek citizen, the simplification of real estate transactions, and the assurance of transparency in one of the most important aspects of economic life. This project will provide a developmental boost to the country, strengthen confidence in the real estate market, and improve the daily lives of citizens.
With enthusiasm, commitment, and the dedication of a team working methodically, we are confident that our country will have a fully integrated Land Registry by 2025. This is not just a goal; it is a historic step that will shape a new reality for Greece.
