GREECE Law and Practice Contributed by: Nikolaos Koulocheris, Ioannis Charalampopoulos, Rozita Karasso and Dimitra Kotsovelou, Machas & Partners
ronmental protection and overseeing planning regulations. • Ministry of the Interior: Oversees local government policies and the creation of local urban plans. • Local Municipalities: Implement zoning and urban planning within their jurisdictions, issu - ing building permits and enforcing compli - ance. • Ministry of Culture: Regulates development near archaeological sites and cultural heritage areas. Types of Plans • General Urban Plans: Created by local municipalities to guide urban development within cities, defining land use and infrastruc - ture. • Special Zoning Plans: Provide detailed regulations for specific areas, such as tourism zones or industrial zones. • Regional Spatial Plans: Guide land use and development on a larger, regional scale, co- ordinating infrastructure and economic activi - ties across multiple municipalities. Zoning Controls • Land Use Designations: Different zones are designated for residential, commercial, industrial or agricultural purposes, each with specific regulations on construction, density and usage. • Environmental Protections: Areas of ecologi - cal or cultural importance (eg, Natura 2000 sites) are subject to stricter regulations. 4.2 Legislative and Governmental Controls Applicable to Design, Appearance and Method of Construction In Greece, the design, appearance and con - struction methods of new buildings or refurbish - ments are governed by a combination of national
legislation, local regulations and environmental laws. Key controls include: • Presidential Decree 305/1996 (Government Gazette 212/A’ 29.8.1996) : Sets out the mini - mum safety and health requirements applica - ble to temporary or mobile construction sites, in compliance with Directive 92/57/EEC. • Law 4787/2021 (Article 23 et seq): Concerns the establishment of a special committee for structurally unsound buildings, etc. • Provisions on Hazardous Buildings: Under Article 5 of Presidential Decree 13/1929 (Gov - ernment Gazette A’ 153). • The New Building Code (NOK) (Law 4067/2012): Establishes general rules for zoning, building design, height, materials and construction safety. • Energy Performance of Buildings (Law 4122/2013): Requires energy performance compliance for new and refurbished build - ings, including insulation and renewable energy integration. • Environmental Protection Laws (Law 1650/1986): Mandates EIAs for significant developments, particularly in sensitive areas. • Cultural Heritage and Natura 2000 Regula- tions: Strict rules apply to buildings near archaeological sites or protected environmen - tal areas, ensuring preservation. • Local Municipality Controls: Local govern - ments set design and construction standards to ensure new projects align with the area’s urban character and public infrastructure requirements. • Seismic and Fire Safety: Regulations ensure buildings are resistant to earthquakes and meet fire safety standards. All construction projects require building per - mits, and qualified professionals (architects,
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