From September 18, errors in property boundaries can be corrected online

From September 18, 2026 the year in Greece changes procedure for correcting one of the most unpleasant errors of the Cadastre – incorrect area, boundaries, shape or the position of the property on the cadastral map.

We are talking about the so-called διόρθωση γεωμετρικών στοιχείων — correction of geometric data of the property in Ελληνικό Κτηματολόγιο.

At first glance, such an error may look like several incorrectly drawn lines on the map. In practice, it can block sale, donation, parental transfer of property, inheritance or obtaining a building permitespecially if the disputed border affects a neighboring area.

From September 18, applications for such cases will be submitted through a new electronic platform metavoles.

The legal basis for the new procedure was laid Law No. 5142/2024, ΦΕΚ A’ 158/4.10.2024. It is its articles 7–10 that regulate the new system for correcting geometric data of real estate, the role of certified cadastral engineers, objections and the second level of review.

What errors can be corrected?

The new procedure concerns situations where the cadastral map incorrectly displays:

• object area;
• site boundaries;
• form of real estate;
• object location;
• overlap with neighboring property.

It is important to distinguish this from the usual typo in the owner’s name, document number or other obvious errors in the cadastral record. For such cases there is a separate correction procedure πρόδηλο σφάλμα – obvious error.

Geometric error is more complex because changing the line of one parcel often automatically changes the area or boundary of another.

Why the system is changing

According to data published in connection with the launch of the new procedure, today there remains more than 11,500 unfinished casesassociated only with discrepancies in the geometric characteristics of real estate.

Until now, such cases could turn into a months-long sequence of applications, technical documents, notifications to neighbors and visits to cadastral services.

The new model would consolidate virtually the entire process into one electronic file, from the initial application to the final decision.

Who can apply

According to Article 8 Law No. 5142/2024a natural or legal person with a legitimate interest may apply for correction.

The application can be submitted:

• the owner himself;
• another person having a legitimate interest;
• authorized representative;
• engineer, if the owner has granted him the appropriate authority.

Login to the electronic system will be carried out using Taxisnet codes.

After sending the application, it automatically receives a registration number and is entered into the Cadastre information system, and is also linked to the cadastral sheets of objects that are potentially affected by the requested change.

In many cases it is impossible to do without an engineer

If the actual geometric characteristics of a site need to be changed, the engineer takes on a central role.

It amounts to Διάγραμμα Γεωμετρικών Μεταβολών — A diagram of geometric changes, which technically shows which line, area or position needs to be changed.

Electronic diagrams are already fed into the Ελληνικό Κτηματολόγιο system in accordance with rules for electronic representation of technical diagrams.

After successfully loading a diagram, it is assigned a unique Electronic diagram code – ΚΗΔ (Κωδικός Ηλεκτρονικού Διαγράμματος).

It is this code that links the engineer’s technical file to the owner’s application.

The platform itself will check the completeness

After submission, the system should automatically check the completeness and correctness of the transmitted data.

This, however, does not mean that a computer will automatically solve a land dispute.

The technical data and legal consequences of the change will be verified by a person.

Decisions should be made by Ελληνικό Κτηματολόγιο engineers who have the status Cadastre Certified Engineer.

The institution of such engineers is expressly provided for in Article 7 of Law No. 5142/2024. Ελληνικό Κτηματολόγιο is already creating a corresponding register together with the Technical Chamber of Greece – ΤΕΕ.

If the change affects a neighbor

The most sensitive part of the new procedure begins when a change in the boundary of one object affects an adjacent area.

For example, the owner claims that the cadastral line is drawn two meters inside his land. But if this line is moved, the two meters will automatically disappear from the neighbor.

In this case, the neighbor must be officially notified.

The applicant is required to notify affected owners within 20 days after submitting the application.

After receiving the notification, the neighbor receives 30 daysto submit a reasoned objection.

The objection can be sent through the same electronic platform and attached:

• own topographic plan;
• technical report;
• property titles;
• other evidence of the position of the border.

Until we can’t do without a bailiff

Despite the name “digital procedure”, from September 18 it will not yet become fully electronic.

The law provides for a transitional stage.

Until the Minister for Digital Governance, by separate decision, confirms the technical readiness of the automatic electronic notification system, initial notifications to affected persons will continue to be sent via bailiff.

The costs of such notification shall be borne by the applicant.

Once a full digital system is activated, these activities must move into the electronic environment.

How does the owner know the solution?

The decision on the application is generated in electronic PDF form and signed with a digital signature.

At the same time, the system maintains an electronic history of the case – from the initial application and download of the diagram to objections and the final decision.

During the transitional phase, notification of the decision will be sent by email to the applicant and those affected owners who participated in the procedure.

What to do if your application is rejected

The refusal of Ελληνικό Κτηματολόγιο does not mean the automatic end of the matter.

Law No. 5142/2024 provides second level of administrative review.

The applicant has the right to appeal the refusal within 30 days.

The case is reconsidered by a special body of the Supreme Court, consisting of:

• certified cadastral engineer;
• lawyer Ελληνικό Κτηματολόγιο.

To reduce the risk of conflict of interest, members of such a body are selected through an algorithmic random draw.

The engineer who made the original decision cannot consider a complaint against his own decision. A similar rule applies to the lawyer who participated in the first stage.

The neighbor can also appeal the decision

If the Cadastre satisfied the application, but the neighbor previously filed a reasoned objection in a timely manner, he also receives the right to appeal the decision.

Thus, the new system attempts to both speed up the correction of obvious geometric problems and preserve the right of the owner of the neighboring property to protect his property.

Last level – Cadastral Judge

Even after the second administrative review, the dispute may continue.

Interested parties may contact Cadastral judge in the manner and within the time limits prescribed by law.

The basic legislative structure for correcting cadastral records is also contained in Law No. 2664/1998 on the National Cadastrewhich remains the basic act of the system.

After the final completion of the proceedings, the corrected data is entered into the digital spatial database Ελληνικό Κτηματολόγιο and displayed on the cadastral map.

What if one of the lands belongs to the state?

For objects owned by the state or another body of the General Government, a separate transitional rule is provided.

If a government property is either the subject of the application or a neighboring property that is affected by the correction, the existing regime continues to apply until the statutory electronic procedure is fully operational.

Therefore, cases where one of the parties is the state may, at the first stage, proceed differently than an ordinary dispute between two private owners.

Why is this really important?

A cadastral map error may not manifest itself in any way for years.

A man lives in a house, pays ΕΝΦΙΑ and I am sure that everything is in order with the property.

The problem arises when he decides:

• sell real estate;
• pass it on to the child;
• give;
• divide the plot;
• obtain a construction permit;
• carry out another legally significant action.

And then it turns out, for example, that the area in the contract is 600 square meters. m, the engineer measures 615 sq. m, and the cadastral map shows 582 sq. m and a few more meters overlap with the neighboring plot.

Until this discrepancy is resolved, the notary, engineer or other service may simply not be able to continue the transaction.

Regulatory framework: Law No. 5142/2024, ΦΕΚ A’ 158/4.10.2024especially Articles 7–10; base Law No. 2664/1998 about the National Cadastre; official information and electronic services – Ελληνικό Κτηματολόγιο.

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