Greek Cadastre to absorb municipal urban‑planning services amid mayoral opposition

The government plans to transfer the responsibilities of municipal urban‑planning offices (Υπηρεσίες Δόμησης) to the Hellenic Cadastre, creating new Construction Centres under the Cadastre system. The move is funded with a €6.2 million allocation in the National Development Programme and is presented as a way to digitise permit issuance, improve oversight and address long‑standing staffing shortages.

Local authorities strongly object, arguing that the reform strips municipalities of essential powers, endangers jobs, and concentrates authority at the central state. The Central Union of Greek Municipalities and several mayors have called for clarification on staff transfers and the Cadastre’s technical capacity. Critics also link the timing to recent corruption investigations in municipal planning offices, warning that centralisation will not resolve systemic issues without stronger supervisory mechanisms.