Greece to Allow Online Correction of Property Boundary Errors From September 18

Property owners in Greece will soon be able to correct certain errors involving property boundaries, size and location online, under a new digital procedure launching on September 18.

The new system concerns geometric errors in the Greek Land Registry, known as διόρθωση γεωμετρικών στοιχείων.

These errors can involve the recorded area, boundaries, shape or location of a property, as well as overlaps with neighbouring properties.

While a boundary appearing incorrectly on a cadastral map may seem like a minor technical issue, it can create serious problems for property owners.

A discrepancy can prevent or delay the sale, transfer, inheritance, gift or parental transfer of a property, and may also affect the ability to obtain a building permit.

What can be corrected?

The new procedure covers cases where the cadastral map incorrectly shows:

• The area of a property
• Its boundaries
• Its shape
• Its location
• An overlap with neighbouring property

It is different from correcting a simple administrative or typographical mistake, such as an incorrect name or document number. Those cases are generally handled through the separate procedure for an obvious error, known in Greek as πρόδηλο σφάλμα.

New online platform

From September 18, 2026, applications for geometric corrections will be submitted through the new Metavoles electronic platform.

The legal framework was established by Law 5142/2024, which introduced a new process for correcting geometric information in the Greek Land Registry.

Under the new system, the owner or another person with a legitimate interest can submit an application electronically using Taxisnet credentials.

The application receives a registration number and is connected to the cadastral records of properties that could be affected by the proposed correction.

Engineers will play a key role

For cases involving an actual change to the boundaries or geometry of a property, a qualified engineer will generally be required.

The engineer prepares a Diagram of Geometrical Changes, known in Greek as a Διάγραμμα Γεωμετρικών Μεταβολών.

The technical diagram is submitted electronically to the Greek Land Registry and receives a unique Electronic Diagram Code, or KHD.

This code links the engineer’s technical file to the owner’s application.

The digital platform will carry out automatic checks to determine whether the application and supporting material are complete.

However, the system will not automatically decide whether a disputed boundary is legally correct.

The technical and legal aspects will still be assessed by certified cadastral engineers.

What happens if a neighbour is affected?

This is one of the most important parts of the new procedure.

If correcting one property’s boundary could affect a neighbouring property, the affected owner must be formally notified.

The applicant must notify affected property owners within 20 days of submitting the application.

The neighbour will then have 30 days to submit a reasoned objection.

Supporting evidence may include a topographical plan, technical report, property titles and other documents demonstrating the claimed boundary.

The new system therefore does not allow an owner to simply move a boundary on the cadastral map without considering the rights of neighbouring owners.

The procedure will not initially be completely digital

Despite the move to an online application system, the process will initially retain an important paper based element.

Until the Ministry of Digital Governance confirms that the automated electronic notification system is technically operational, initial notifications to affected parties will continue to be delivered through a court bailiff.

The applicant will be responsible for the notification costs.

Once the electronic notification system is fully activated, these steps are expected to move online.

What happens after a decision?

The Land Registry’s decision will be produced electronically as a digitally signed PDF.

The electronic case file will retain the history of the application, including the technical documentation, notifications, objections and final decision.

During the transitional period, applicants and affected property owners who participated in the process will also receive notification of the decision by email.

Owners can appeal a rejection

A rejection by the Greek Land Registry does not necessarily end the process.

Under Law 5142/2024, an applicant can appeal the decision within 30 days.

The case will then undergo a second level of administrative review by a special body consisting of a certified cadastral engineer and a Land Registry lawyer.

The professionals involved in the original decision cannot review the appeal against their own decision.

The members of the review body are selected through an algorithmic random allocation process.

A neighbouring property owner who submitted a timely and reasoned objection can also challenge a decision that approves the requested correction.

Disputes can ultimately reach a cadastral judge

If the dispute remains unresolved after the administrative review process, an interested party can take the case before a Cadastral Judge, under the conditions and deadlines established by Greek law.

Once the dispute is finally resolved, the corrected information can be incorporated into the Land Registry’s digital spatial database and reflected on the cadastral map.

Why the change matters

Cadastral errors can remain unnoticed for years.

A property owner may live in a house, pay ENFIA and assume everything is in order, only to discover a problem when attempting to sell or transfer the property.

For example, a property title could record an area of 600 square metres while a survey shows 615 square metres and the cadastral map records only 582 square metres, with part of the property appearing to overlap with a neighbouring plot.

Until the discrepancy is resolved, a notary, engineer or other authority may be unable to proceed with the transaction.

The new digital procedure is intended to make the correction process faster and more transparent for thousands of property owners dealing with these problems.

According to figures cited in connection with the launch, more than 11,500 cases involving discrepancies in the geometric characteristics of properties remain unresolved.

From September 18, owners will have a new online route to address these issues, although cases involving disputed boundaries will continue to require technical expertise, notification of affected neighbours and, where necessary, administrative or judicial review.

Source: Athens News

Stay updated with the latest news from Greece and around the world on greekcitytimes.com.
Contact our newsroom to share your updates, stories, photos, or videos. Follow GCT on Google News and Apple News.