Making Sure
Your Greek
Property is Clear
Making Sure
Your Greek
Property is Clear
Greek land title searches – the process
A Greek land title search is conducted by a local lawyer at the Land Registry (Ypothikofilakeion) or Cadastral Office (Ktimatologio) to verify the seller’s ownership, check for any encumbrances like mortgages or liens, and confirm the property’s legal status. Because Greece has a mixed and transitioning land registration system, a lawyer will need to check both the older Land Book system and the newer Cadastre records, often involving both digital searches and physical visits, to gather detailed information for a comprehensive title report.
Steps in a Greek Land Title Search
1. Appoint a Lawyer:
You must appoint a Greek lawyer, preferably one specializing in real estate, to conduct the search on your behalf.
2. Locate the Competent Office:
The lawyer will identify the specific Land Registry or Cadastral office responsible for the property’s location.
3. Gather Information:
- From the Land Registries: The lawyer will search the general indexes and then the share books for records of property and ownership.
- From the Cadastral Offices: The lawyer will search the cadastral sheets and digital diagrams for detailed property information, including the National Cadastral Code Number (KAEK), boundaries, and usage rights.
If you are unsure about your eligibility, the Greek Consulate can assess your specific case.
4. Check for Encumbrances:
The search will identify any registered encumbrances, such as mortgages, pre-notifications of mortgages, liens, or seizures.
5. Confirm Property Details:
The search verifies the property’s type, address, area, and any specific details about the horizontal property (e.g., exclusive usage rights).
6. Review Title Deeds and Registration Records:
The lawyer will examine the registered title deeds, the notary deeds, and the chronological order of all registered acts affecting the property.
7. Issue a Title Report:
The lawyer will prepare a detailed report, typically in Greek and translated into English for the buyer, summarizing all findings.
Important Considerations
- Dual System: Greece operates two parallel land registration systems: the older Land Registry (Ypothikofylakeion) based on individual registrations and the newer Cadastre (Ktimatologio) based on property listings, which provides greater accuracy.
- Transitioning System: The Cadastre system is still being fully implemented, meaning a comprehensive title search often requires examining records from both systems.
- Publicly Available Information: Information in the Land Registries and Cadastral Offices is generally public, but you will still need your lawyer to interpret and gather this information effectively.