State land squatters: Final opportunity for 90,000 property holders in Greece

Time is running out for approximately 90,000 individuals using public land without legal ownership. The Greek government has launched a final call for those wishing to purchase occupied state land, warning that legal actions will follow once the deadline passes for those who fail to apply.

What's at Stake?
Many of these public lands have long been occupied by homes, apartment buildings, factories, storage units, agricultural facilities, workshops, and other commercial-use properties. In most cases, these structures are actively inhabited or leased to third parties—without any formal title of ownership.

Property holders now have one last chance to legally acquire ownership titles through a purchase process and subsequently register their rights in the National Land Registry (Ktimatologio).

Once the application deadline expires, lands with no filed purchase requests will be officially registered to the State, and authorities will begin court proceedings against current users.

Application Deadlines
30 September 2025: For the regional units of Aetolia-Acarnania, Arcadia, Evros, Euboea, Heraklion, Ioannina, Karditsa, Corfu, Larissa, Lasithi, Lesvos, Magnesia, İskeçe, Pieria, Rethymno, Samos, Trikala, Phthiotis, Chania, and Chios.

31 October 2025: For all remaining regional units across the country.

Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for purchasing the occupied state land, the applicant must:

Have uninterrupted possession of the property for at least 30 years, with proof of ownership in their name or that of their legal predecessors (e.g., inheritance).

If there is a building on the land, it must have been constructed on or before 31 December 1991.

Alternatively, possession for a minimum of 40 consecutive years, even without a formal title, may also qualify.

Payment Options
The purchase price can be paid:

Lump sum, with a 10% discount

Or in up to 60 interest-free monthly installments, with a minimum monthly payment of €100

Major Hurdles Remain
Applicants must overcome significant bureaucratic challenges, including:

Collecting and submitting numerous documents and supporting materials

Addressing inheritance-related complications

Navigating complex administrative procedures

Ensuring timely online submission via the official platform

This process represents a critical window for property holders to secure ownership rights, protect their investments, and enable legal transfer of assets to heirs—rights that are currently jeopardized by the State’s claim over their land.