Escheat law: Athens launches digital “reset” of common property

Greek Ministry of National Economy and Finance introduced a major reform aimed at completely overhauling management σχολάζουσες κληρονομιές (escheated inheritances) and κοινωφελείς περιουσίες (generally useful property).

New legislation should end decades of administrative inertia, legal confusion and lack of transparency.

Unified electronic register Η.Μ.ΚΟΙ.Π.

A key element of the reform is the creation Ηλεκτρονικό Μητρώο Κοινωφελών Περιουσιών (Η.M.ΚΟΙ.Π.) — a single digital registry that provides full traceability of property, administration decisions and all related actions. Without publication of data in the register, decisions of foundations and organizations no longer have legal force.

As the minister emphasized Kyriakos Pierrakakisthis “makes transparency not a slogan, but a prerequisite for functioning.” All registry data will be publicly available.

The e-diadoxi platform and the abolition of mandatory court procedures

The second key innovation is the launch of a digital platform e-diadoxiwhich allows you to immediately register σχολάζουσες κληρονομιές (escheated inheritances) and transfer them to the state without necessarily going to court. Now, instead of lengthy court decisions, the procedure will end with an administrative act.

The transition to a digital system eliminates delays that previously could last for years and block the execution of the will of testators.

Creation of a new body – IDECACP

The third structural reform is the creation Ίδρυμα Διαχείρισης και Εκκαθάρισης Κληρονομιών και Αδρανών Περιουσιών (IDEKAKP). The new body will temporarily or permanently take control of institutions and properties deemed “inactive.”

Inactivity is determined for the first time according to objective criteria: failure to publish reports for three years in a row or spending less than 15% of income on declared generally beneficial purposes.

If the organization fails to submit a realistic recovery plan, management will temporarily pass to IDECACP, which will then initiate legal proceedings for a permanent transfer of administration.

Updating the control mechanism and tax incentives

Reform introduces mandatory management audit every three years and creates Registered Auditors Mediator. Tax benefits are also provided: exemption of active funds from income tax and abolition of inheritance tax for property intended for public purposes.

Radical modernization of Zatpeon

An important part of the reform is changing the administrative structure Ζάππειο (Zatpeon). The governing body turns into a legal entity of private law – “Επιτροπή Ολυμπίων και Ζαππείου Κληροδοτήματος”.

The project provides:

• energy and technical renovation of the complex;
• reorganization of the management model;
• ensuring government funding and the possibility of attracting private donations.

According to the minister, Zatpeon should become a modern multifunctional center before the Greek presidency in EU in 2027.

Social dimension of reform

The bill contains additional provisions aimed at supporting citizens and eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks. Among them:

• creation of a mechanism for out-of-court resolution of disputes with the state;
• tax exemption for compensation to victims of the Mati and Mandra tragedies;
• support for victims of floods and natural disasters;
• a “second chance” mechanism for citizens in bankruptcy.

The reform is aimed at revitalizing a significant layer of unused public assets, restoring citizens’ trust and creating a modern system that ensures real efficiency and transparency.

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