Two important changes were recently announced at the Hellenic Cadastre, which that property owners in Greece should be aware of. The first one involves properties that are listed as “owner unknown” and claimed through adverse possession. And the second one is about properties that have been registered with the wrong area, boundaries, shape, and/or location (also known as “διόρθωση γεωμετρικών στοιχείων”).
As our CEO and Founding Partner, Giorgos Gavriilidis, highlighted in an interview at The National Herald about the Hellenic Cadastre, what matters is whether a property has been properly declared and whether the registered information matches reality: boundaries, square meters, co-owners, and rights of way.
"Many owners submitted declarations years ago and never checked what was finally recorded. It is therefore wise to check whether your property has been registered and, if so, whether the entry reflects what you actually own," noted Mr. Gavriilidis.
And indeed, even though the exact location on the map might seem like a small inconsistency, it might cause real problems when it comes to property transactions.
What is the Greek National Cadastre?
Before getting into more details, it’s probably useful to clarify what the Hellenic Cadastre (or Greek National Cadastre) is and what the differences are between this system and the Land Registry. To begin with, the National Cadastre is the competent body responsible for the registration, organization, and management of property rights throughout Greece.
On the other hand, the Land Registry was the old system. Each area had a small office, known as the “Ypothikofylakio”, where you registered your property. As the system could be improved, the Hellenic National Cadastre came up.
Mandatory Cadastral Mediation
The first change (Article 61 of Law No. 5326/2026) concerns lawsuits seeking recognition of ownership based on adverse possession and the correction of the notation “owner unknown”.
Based on the official sources, the process goes as follows: The interested party must select an accredited cadastral mediator who holds a law degree and is registered in the special registry. To document the relationship with the property, at least two pieces of supporting evidence are required, such as:
electricity, telephone, or water bills
E9 tax returns
lease agreements or rent payment receipts
building permits
old private agreements with a confirmed date
topographic diagrams associated with title deeds or notarial deeds.
The mediator prepares the fact sheet, which is filed with the Hellenic Cadastre. The summons for the mandatory initial hearing may be issued at least 30 days after the filing.
When the Greek State is the defendant, its participation in the session is mandatory. If the competent authorities do not assert any rights to the property on time, a statement of no objection may be drafted, filed with the competent court, and subsequently registered in the Hellenic Cadastre.
This procedure does not mean that every possession of real property automatically leads to recognition of ownership. The interested party must still prove the legal requirements for adverse possession.
Digital Correction of Boundaries and Area
The second change (Decision 440/9 of the Hellenic Cadastre Board, published in Government Gazette B' 5454/08.09.2026, implementing Law 5142/2024) concerns the geometric data of real estate properties. Through the metavoles.ktimatologio.gr platform.
What Can Be Corrected and How?
The new procedure covers cases where the following property data are shown incorrectly:
the area
the boundaries
the shape
and the location of the property.
As of September 18, 2026, such applications for geometric corrections will be submitted through the new platform (https://metavoles.ktimatologio.gr/). In this platform, the property owner or a person with a legitimate interest is able to submit an application digitally, using Taxisnet credentials.
The Role of the Engineer
In case there is an actual change to the boundaries or the geometry of the property, a qualified engineer will probably be needed, as they need to prepare a “Diagram of Geometrical Changes”. It’s a technical diagram that is submitted digitally and receives a unique Electronic Diagram Code.
What If the Neighbours Are Affected Somehow?
In case of boundary correction, indeed, a neighbour’s property can be affected, and for this very reason, they need to be officially notified. So, the applicants must inform the affected neighbours of the update within 20 days of submitting the application. After that, the neighbour has the right to submit a reasoned objection within 30 days.
Rejections Can Be Appealed
A rejection from the Greek Land Registry is not necessarily the end of the road. Under Law 5142/2024, you have 30 days from the decision to file an appeal.
Your case then goes to a second administrative review, carried out by a special committee of two: a certified cadastral engineer and a Land Registry lawyer. Committee members are assigned through an algorithmic random allocation, and nobody involved in the original decision can review the appeal.
The same route is open to neighbouring owners. If your correction is approved, a neighbour who filed a reasoned objection on time can challenge that decision in the same way.
The Cadastral Judge as a Final Step
If the administrative review does not settle the matter, any interested party can bring the case before a Cadastral Judge, within the conditions and deadlines set by Greek law. Once the dispute has been resolved, the corrected details can be entered into the Land Registry's digital spatial database and shown on the cadastral map.
Conclusion
The new procedures make it faster to correct cadastral errors. They don't remove the need for a proper legal and technical check. This matters most when a correction involves adverse possession (ownership based on long-term use of a property) or a change to the boundaries of your plot. In those cases, a lawyer and an engineer need to work together to make sure your ownership is fully protected.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal advice. Procedures and deadlines can change, and individual cases depend on their own facts. For your own property, consult a qualified lawyer.
