Recognition of usufruct also towards the State

Recognition of usufruct also towards the State

One of the most significant changes in the country’s property regime in recent decades is being implemented with Law 5293/2026 “Interventions for a more citizen-friendly state”, which attempts to provide solutions to chronic pending issues that have plagued thousands of property owners for decades.

The new provisions create a different landscape in the protection of real estate, significantly limiting disputes and claims by the State in cases where there was long-term uncertainty. At the same time, legal certainty is strengthened, property transfers are facilitated and an attempt is made to put an end to a series of property disputes that have remained open for many years.

The provision regarding usufruct is of particular importance, as for the first time in 111 years, the possibility of judicial recognition of ownership through usufruct is created, even in real estate owned by the State, provided that the strict conditions set by the law are met.

Lawyer and member of the Lesvos Property Owners Association, Taxiarchis Koufelos, characterizes this specific development as “legislation of historic proportions”, underlining that it is a reform that changes the data in the relations between citizens and the State with regard to real estate.

“For the first time in 111 years, one of the greatest obstacles that citizens faced in their claims against the State is being removed in practice. With the new regulations, under specific conditions, the way is opened for citizens to be able to secure usufruct through the courts, even in real estate owned by the State. Until now, this has been essentially impossible,” he says characteristically.

As he explains, this change is the result of long-term interventions and pressures from the property owners’ sector, with the aim of addressing the problems created by the constant disputes over citizens’ property.

He makes particular reference to the contribution of the Panhellenic Federation of Property Owners (POMIDA), which for several years has highlighted the issue of pending property disputes with the State and supported the need to create a fairer and more functional framework.

“These changes did not come about by chance. They are the result of continuous and documented interventions by POMIDA and personally by its president, Stratos Paradias, who has been fighting for decades for the protection of private property and the restoration of legal certainty,” notes Mr. Koufelos.

At the same time, it emphasizes the importance of political will to promote reforms. As it states, the legislative initiative of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of State, Kostis Hatzidakis, addresses chronic pathologies and provides solutions to owners who for years have been faced with pending legal proceedings and uncertainty regarding their property.

According to the new regulations, the State now limits its claims in several cases where there are old and legally registered property titles. At the same time, special regulations are provided for agricultural lands on which citizens had settled with the tolerance or even at the suggestion of the State itself.

Another important change is the simplification of procedures for property transfers. The new framework seeks to reduce bureaucracy and gradually transform the notary into a “one-stop shop” service, so that transactions can be completed more quickly and with greater security.

These changes are expected to be of particular importance for areas such as Lesvos, where there are many property cases with historical peculiarities and long-standing pending cases.

“This is a reform that strengthens the citizen’s trust in the State and creates the conditions for definitively closing cases that have remained open for decades. It is a substantial strengthening of legal certainty and the protection of private property,” emphasizes Mr. Koufelos.

For its part, POMIDA speaks of justifying its long-standing demands, arguing that the new provisions definitively limit a large part of the problems caused by the State’s endless property claims.

This specific reform is considered an important step towards a clearer and more stable property regime, as it gives citizens greater security for their property and contributes to the reduction of multi-year legal disputes.