Greece Suspends Building Permits Outside Planning Zones on Mykonos and Santorini

The Greek Ministry of Environment & Energy recently suspended the issuance of new building permits for tourist accommodation facilities on plots of land outside planning zones on the islands of Mykonos and Santorini.

The decision, which specifically concerns the construction of new buildings of tourist accommodation, special tourist infrastructure facilities and other tourism businesses, was signed recently by the deputy minister for environment, Dimitris Oikonomou, aiming to slow down construction activity while the town planning for the two Cycladic islands is in process.

According to Environment and Energy Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, the suspension of building permits will last until the Special Urban Plans for both islands are approved. The plans are expected to set clear rules on the building capacity of the two islands.

Excluded from the suspension are plans that have already been pre-approved by the department of urban planning or applications for revisions to permits that have already been submitted.