Property owners have been given a week’s extension until June 22 to clear weeds and dry vegetation from their land or face fines, under new fire prevention rules that simplify requirements established three years ago.
Speaking to ERT on Friday, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Evangelos Tournas said only 373,000 properties have been declared on the akatharista.gov.gr platform as of late Thursday. Last year, declarations neared 500,000, while in 2024 they exceeded 800,000 out of an estimated 1.2-1.3 million eligible properties.
The obligation covers plots within city plans, open spaces, land within 100 meters of settlement boundaries, and out-of-plan properties containing structures. Owners must maintain cleared land through October 31, the end of fire season.
After clearing, owners must register compliance at the digital platform akatharista.apps.gov.gr, or through citizen service centers or the nearest fire service.
Failure to declare earns a €100 fine; failure to clear at all brings fines of €200 to €2,000, calculated at €1 per square meter. False declarations constitute a criminal offense carrying at least six months imprisonment and a €5,000 fine. Municipalities may clear noncompliant properties independently, then bill owners for removal costs.
