A total of 701,823 declarations of clearance by landowners had been made by the expiry of the deadline on 15th June. According to information from the ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, the last week saw a sharp increase in the number of declarations made to the platform akatharista.apps.gov.gr., with nearly 90,000 declarations.

At the same time nearly 100 per cent of municipalities have registered with the scheme this year – 329 out of a total of 334, as against only 55% (185 municipalities) last year. According to ministry sources, the number of declarations is considered a particular success give that the deadline was much shorter than last, year, when it was extended until 15th July.

Now that the deadline is closed, there will be systematic inspections by both municipalities and the Fire Service, with fines imposed where there is found to be negligence, while false declarations carry a criminal charge. Also, following a recently published Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA in Greek), the Fire Service now has the authority to carry out inspections and impose fines in response to reports submitted to the platform by citizens for plots other than their own.

At the same time, each municipality is expected to carry out sampling checks on at least 5 per cent of the declarations received for the areas within their jurisdiction.
(Haniotika Nea, APE-MPE, 17/06/25)