Giorgos Stasinos, Photo source: © ΤΕΕ
A proposal for a simplified Building Code by 2026, presented by Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) president Giorgos Stasinos, aims to update the country’s construction framework. The plan seeks to reduce bureaucratic obstacles, provide greater legal certainty, and introduce reforms that would modernize how building permits are issued and managed, with possible benefits for tourism investment.
Stasinos outlined his vision for a Code of no more than ten pages, focusing only on factors that affect public interest and the surrounding environment, such as building volume, height, side distances, and greenery. He argued this would free architects from restrictive, repetitive designs and encourage true creativity.
“If we want to move forward, we must create a Code that regulates specific metrics. The rest should be the responsibility of engineers, so buildings are not identical and architects can design with freedom,” he said.
The proposal also calls for merging all urban planning offices into a single authority to avoid conflicting interpretations of legislation. Government plans to integrate them into a unified body such as the Hellenic Cadastre (Ktimatologio) have been welcomed as a step toward ensuring consistency nationwide.
Digitalization and artificial intelligence are expected to play a key role in simplifying procedures. “With a Unified Digital Map, centralized planning offices, and digitized archives, many of today’s problems will disappear. Coverage diagrams, for example, could easily be checked by AI,” he noted.
Another pressing issue is legal clarity. The current situation, described as “tragic” for construction, has seen the issuance of new permits collapse while older ones still keep the sector afloat. Contradictions created by Council of State rulings on building incentives have even led developers to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. “What the country has lost is trust. Greece is now seen as a place where you cannot rely on legal certainty,” he warned.
A modern Building Code, he argued, should not only improve construction efficiency but also support growth in tourism and infrastructure. Faster and more reliable procedures could facilitate new hotels, resorts, and regional projects while protecting local identity and the environment. “A modern Code will bring a new era to construction, but also provide opportunities for tourism and regional development,” he said.
Looking ahead, most of Greece’s local and special urban planning schemes are expected to be ready by 2026. The Council of State, he added, must prepare for the large number of Presidential Decrees that will need approval simultaneously.
He also stressed that projects already holding building permits must be allowed to proceed, noting that respect for existing approvals is essential to protect investor confidence and ensure stability in the sector.
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