Starting on April 1, 2025 the cleaning of plots of land in Greece, becomes mandatory, as part of fire prevention measures ahead of the summer season. Owners are required to declare the completion of cleaning works on the gov.gr platform in accordance with Fire Safety Regulation No. 20/2024.
Who is Affected?
The obligation applies to:
Owners, tenants, and subtenants of plots and uncovered spaces within approved urban plans or settlement boundaries.
Properties located within 100 meters of these areas.
Land outside urban plans with buildings, excluding areas under forest legislation.
Cleaning must be completed annually between April 1 and April 30 and maintained throughout the fire season (May 1 to October 31). Properties are classified into four risk categories: low, medium, high, and very high.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to declare the cleaning results in fines:
€1,000 for not submitting a cleaning declaration.
Up to €54,000 and imprisonment of up to two years for false declarations.
If cleaning is neglected, municipalities will conduct the cleaning themselves and charge the costs to property owners.
Challenges and Criticism
The Property Owners Association (POMIDA) has raised concerns about the short deadline (April 30), citing Easter holidays and logistical difficulties for owners living far from their properties. They also criticized high costs due to demand for cleaning services during this tight timeframe. Last year, an extension was granted until July 15.
POMIDA has proposed legislative changes to simplify procedures, reduce costs, and make compliance more realistic. These include streamlining fire protection measures for forest-adjacent properties and allowing citizens to submit declarations directly without expert intervention.
Municipalities are responsible for managing biomass from plot cleanings, a task POMIDA argues should not burden citizens further.