About Derelict Houses in Greece

After two months, I am still waiting for my permit for work to begin. In the meantime, I thought it might be useful to share some info on the current estimated 700,000 - 800,000 restoration projects (genuinely abandoned, dilapidated, or permanently unused homes) across Greece.  If you are thinking of buying a renovation project in Greece, the One Euro scheme doesn't apply here. Properties are listed and can cost a fair bit of money depending on their location.  

A closer look at the data reveals the scale and reasons behind the vacant property problem: 

• Total Vacancy: The national statistics agency (ELSTAT) and housing studies place the total number of unoccupied properties (including unrenovated ruins, second homes, and closed properties) at over 2.2 million. 
• Derelict/Closed Homes: Of this total, market estimates and the Social Cohesion and Family Ministry highlight roughly 700,000 to 800,000 as structurally empty and unutilized, many requiring extensive renovations to be livable. 
• Urban Concentration: In the Attica region alone—which includes central Athens—there are an estimated 150,000 to 500,000 vacant or abandoned properties. 
• Primary Causes: The vast majority of these abandoned and empty homes are not on the market due to costly renovation expenses, tangled co-ownership and inheritance disputes, and tax burdens. 

Because of the severe lack of affordable housing, the Greek government is actively exploring incentives and programs to unlock these derelict properties and bring them back onto the residential market.

Our house has gotten to this state because we genuinely didn't know it belonged to my family. It is also in a rural area and because of where it is, it is unlikely someone would buy it in this state. The village is relatively difficult to get to and doesn't provide the nightlife and amenities young families might like.

Our permit registration form is now making its way through the bureaucratic system. We have no idea how long it will take.