Selling a home in Greece follows the same steps for Greeks and foreigners alike. The seller, not the buyer, is responsible for gathering the majority of the documents and certificates needed for the transfer, which can be a stressful process.
The “electronic identity of the building” must now be included in the seller’s checklist. As of January 1, 2021, a new energy law in Greece mandates that all property transfers in Greece require the seller to present an e-ID card as proof of ownership. This will increase the amount of work you have to do when selling a home in Greece. What exactly is this e-ID?
It is called the Electronic Building Identifier.
The e-id is a digital file that contains all of the building’s documents and plans in an easily searchable manner. In terms of dimensions, square footage, and permissions/restrictions on how the building can be used, an Electronic Building ID Code describes the “as-built status” of a piece of property.
Illektroniki Taftotita Ktiriou is the Greek name for the Electronic Building ID Code.
Building permits and drawings, Greek tax authorities, Hellenic Cadastre information, Declarations of Legality and Energy Performance Certificates will all be entered into an electronic database. The Ministry of Finance and the Public Power Corporation will be able to access the same property information that is available to the general public.
Using a digital platform developed by the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE), which also serves as a service provider for the Ministry, civil engineers, and citizens, civil engineers complete the process.
The civil engineer is responsible for ensuring that the ‘arbitrariness laws’ in effect today are being followed. There will be no doubt about the legality (or lack thereof) of the building, including its energy and static condition. Only then will the seller have complete knowledge of the property’s legal status.
The goal of the e-IDs is to prevent illegal construction and protect property rights. Within the next few years, the Greek Government hopes to have an electronic database where all private and public buildings will be registered and given a unique Electronic Building ID Code.
The “Certificate of Completion” that results from such a code will take the place of existing certificates, such as the Declaration of Legal Property Status – Law No. 4178/13 and Energy Performance Certificates, which are currently in effect and legally required.
The Electronic Building ID Code will be the most important tool in the Greek Real Estate Market once it is completed and implemented. It will be easier, faster, and more transparent to conduct property transactions and title searches in the future.
In the event that you plan to or have already sold a property in Greece, having the assistance of a real estate attorney or notary is essential.
