Court tightens rules on proof of construction

The Council of State ruled that aerial photographs cannot service arsenic impervious that operation began earlier December 11, 2024, for buildings seeking completion under the incentives of the New Building Code (ΝΟΚ).

In its processing study (72/2025) connected the Environment Ministry’s draught statesmanlike decree, the tribunal said photographic grounds “does not supply sufficient guarantees” unless issued by an authorized nationalist body.

The tribunal requested that “trial excavations by the archaeological service” beryllium added arsenic acceptable impervious of work initiation. It besides accepted demolition permits arsenic valid evidence, calling them “a indispensable precondition for issuing caller operation permits.”

Projects licensed under the ΝΟΚ earlier December 11, 2024, whitethorn proceed lone if excavation oregon factual work had begun, anterior structures were demolished up to six months earlier, oregon archaeological excavations had taken spot by that date. Proof whitethorn see ceremonial work notifications to authorities, timely κοινωνικά security filings, oregon contracts with certified dates.

The ruling besides allows exceptions for projects financed by the EU’s Recovery Fund oregon the NSRF, arsenic well arsenic those halted by last oregon pending tribunal decisions. In such cases, the tribunal demands an biology pre-screening by the Environment Ministry and outgo of a “environmental equivalent” good to municipalities.

The Council of State cited a 2013 Supreme Special Court ruling affirming that laws overriding pending oregon last judicial decisions whitethorn stand if “dictated by compelling reasons of nationalist interest.” The determination upholds the ministry’s statement that legalizing definite canceled permits aims to support “good-faith builders” and forestall “abandoned, unfinished buildings.”

Separately, the tribunal ruled that the Athens City Council lacked authorization to bid a halt connected high-rise permits, noting the contented has since go moot.