Greece introduces new disaster relief and housing assistance framework

The Greek Parliament is set to vote on a new legislative framework designed to reform housing and state assistance for citizens affected by natural disasters. Introduced by the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, the bill aims to address previous delays and complexities by consolidating scattered regulations into a single, unified system.

Key provisions of the bill include the creation of a streamlined recovery path that covers everything from initial support to full building restoration. To reduce bureaucracy, the government plans to implement digital tools, such as the ‘e-Licenses’ system, to manage beneficiary determination and assistance grants.

The legislation also introduces specific limits on housing assistance: a maximum of 150 square meters per beneficiary for individuals, and up to 500 square meters for industrial, technical, and hotel buildings. Notably, the bill expands options for victims, allowing them to use assistance funds to purchase ready-to-move-in properties for self-residence instead of solely focusing on repairing or rebuilding damaged structures.