Greece Digitising Public Property for a True Digital Overhaul
Greece’s Ministry of National Economy and Finance is moving decisively to modernise the way the state understands, protects and utilises its vast real estate portfolio. Long regarded as fragmented, under-documented and administratively complex, public property management is now being repositioned as a strategic national asset, supported by a new generation of digital tools and interoperable systems.
At the heart of the reform is a recognition that land and buildings owned by the state represent far more than dormant balance sheet entries. Properly recorded and intelligently managed, they can underpin investment, urban regeneration, social infrastructure and long-term fiscal stability. What is unfolding is not a simple digitisation exercise, but a systemic rethink of how public assets are governed.
Ministerial Mandate Sets the Pace
The acceleration of reforms follows a ministerial decision signed by Kyriakos Pierrakakis, which formally incorporates a series of digital property management initiatives into the Public Investment Programme. This decision establishes clear political backing, funding pathways and delivery timelines, signalling that public real estate reform is now a national priority rather than a peripheral administrative task.
The objective is the creation of a unified and comprehensive information system capable of recording, organising and supporting the exploitation of state-owned property. Crucially, the system is being designed to operate across institutions, replacing siloed databases with a single, interoperable digital backbone that can support evidence-based decision making.
Building a Unified Digital Property System
Central to the programme is the development of a unified system for the registration, coding and classification of public property assets. This system will standardise how state-owned land and buildings are identified, described and legally defined, bringing together technical, legal and energy-related data that has historically been scattered across agencies.
The scope of the system is deliberately broad. It will incorporate Electronic Property Identity records, cadastral references, energy performance certificates and all other legally required classifications. By consolidating these elements into a single framework, authorities aim to eliminate ambiguity, reduce disputes and provide a reliable foundation for future development or disposal decisions.
Artificial Intelligence and Drones Enter the Field
One of the most striking aspects of the reform programme is the deployment of advanced digital tools to support the physical recording of public property. Artificial intelligence, drone technology and high-resolution aerial imagery will be used to identify assets, define boundaries and assess physical condition at scale.
Three-dimensional mapping and geospatial analysis will allow authorities to visualise the state’s property portfolio with a level of accuracy that has not previously been possible. These tools are expected to significantly improve valuation accuracy, highlight encroachments or unauthorised use and provide early insight into maintenance or safety issues.
A Centralised and Interoperable Data Repository
Alongside the unified registration system, the ministry is establishing a central digital database that will serve as the authoritative repository for public property data. This database will consolidate information from the Public Property Registry and ensure full technical interoperability with other key institutional systems.
Interconnections are planned with the databases of the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund, the Public Properties Company and the National Cadastre. By aligning data standards and enabling automated data exchange, the system aims to create a single source of truth for public assets, reducing duplication and administrative friction.
Data Cleansing and Quality Control at Scale
Digital transformation, however, is only as effective as the data that underpins it. Recognising this, the programme includes extensive data entry, updating and cleansing activities across the public property portfolio. Legacy records will be digitised, cross-checked and verified, with quality control mechanisms designed to detect inconsistencies and missing information.
Digitised legal documents will play a central role in this process, enabling automated verification of ownership status, encumbrances and claims. The emphasis on data quality reflects an understanding that accurate records are essential not only for transparency, but also for investor confidence and legal certainty.
Technical and Legal Audits of Priority Assets
Beyond system-wide data improvements, the ministry has also mandated targeted technical and legal audits of up to 5,000 selected properties. These audits will be carried out by specialised professionals and are intended to bring high-potential or strategically important assets to a state of full readiness.
By ensuring that these properties are comprehensively documented and legally clear, the state positions itself to move more quickly when opportunities for development, concession or partnership arise. The audits also help identify risks and liabilities early, reducing the likelihood of costly delays further down the line.
Clear Milestones Through to 2028
The reform programme is governed by defined delivery milestones, with several core components required to be completed by July 2028. This long-term horizon reflects the scale and complexity of the task, while also providing sufficient time to embed new systems across multiple institutions.
Importantly, the timeline allows for phased implementation, testing and refinement. Rather than a single disruptive rollout, the ministry appears to be favouring a controlled transition that balances innovation with operational continuity.
Expanding Digital Capabilities From 2026
Looking ahead, the government plans to extend the use of digital technologies across all aspects of public property management from 2026 onwards. One of the most anticipated developments is an integrated digital tool being developed by the General Secretariat for Information Systems and Digital Governance in cooperation with the Hellenic Cadastre.
This tool will be capable of automatically generating diagrams of geometric changes related to state-owned land, streamlining processes that are currently time-consuming and technically demanding. Automation in this area is expected to significantly reduce administrative bottlenecks and improve the accuracy of spatial records.
Linking Property Data With Civil Registries
Further interoperability is planned with the National Cadastre and the Citizens’ Registry, opening the door to more sophisticated automated searches and cross-referencing. A particular focus is being placed on properties linked to dormant inheritances, an area that has historically been difficult to manage.
Through these integrations, authorities will be able to automatically issue ownership, encumbrance and claims certificates for such assets. This capability not only accelerates administrative processes but also helps safeguard state interests by ensuring that no asset falls through regulatory gaps.
Transparency, Value Creation and Asset Protection
According to the ministry, the reforms are designed to deliver three core outcomes. First, enhanced transparency through reliable, accessible and verifiable data. Second, maximised value through better-informed decisions on utilisation and development. Third, stronger protection of state property against misuse, legal uncertainty or neglect.
Taken together, these objectives point to a model of public asset management that aligns with international best practice. By embedding modern technology into governance structures, Greece is laying the groundwork for a more resilient, accountable and economically productive approach to managing public real estate.
A Foundation for Smarter Public Investment
Beyond immediate administrative gains, the digital overhaul of public property management has broader implications for public investment and planning. Accurate asset data supports more effective infrastructure development, urban regeneration and social housing strategies, while also strengthening Greece’s appeal to institutional investors seeking clarity and predictability.
In this context, the reform programme represents more than a technical upgrade. It is a structural investment in state capacity, positioning public property as an active instrument of economic policy rather than a passive administrative burden.
