The full abolition of the Planning Offices (Building Services — YDOM) and their replacement by a US-style model, where the citizen simply issues the permit digitally by paying a fee/stamp duty, would bring one more enormous economic and administrative benefit for the country.
If we open the file on the Planning Offices, the benefits from abolishing their structures fall into three axes:
1. Savings from closing the structures & staff
The current situation: Dozens of scattered YDOM operate in the Municipalities of Greece; they under-perform, have enormous delays and cost millions in buildings, materials and payroll.
The benefit: With the abolition of the structures, the (administrative) employees are transferred to other services that have shortages. The state immediately saves millions in operating costs for buildings and information systems.
Estimated six-month benefit: €15,000,000
2. Rooting out corruption (the “bribe envelope” & networks)
The party: As the recent police investigation into the large networks of extortionists in the Planning Offices of Attica revealed, the “tariffs” for approving a permit, cancelling a fine or arranging an “accommodation” for an unauthorised structure ranged from €1,000 to €30,000 per case. [1, 2]
The benefit: With the abolition of the intermediate bureaucracy, the “bribe envelope” disappears instantly. These millions of “black” money that citizens and businesspeople paid under extortion now stay in their pockets and return to the real economy.
3. How the US model works (responsibility on the engineer)
In the USA and in advanced states, the system is based on individual responsibility and digital speed:
The private engineer assumes the full legal and planning responsibility for the study.
The permit is issued automatically online on payment of a fixed fee (stamp duty) to the state, without any employee intervening to “check” and delay the project for months.
The check: The state does not check before something is built, but carries out sample audits during or after construction. If the engineer has stolen or acted illegally, they lose their professional licence for life and face heavy civil damages.
What does the economy gain?
Beyond the €15,000,000 that the budget saves immediately in the first six months, the state gains billions from the explosion of building activity. When an investment or a house can obtain a permit in 2 days instead of 1.5 years, the construction sites start immediately, thousands of jobs are created and the state collects huge revenue from VAT on materials and taxes.
GOVERNMENT GAZETTE OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC
FIRST ISSUE — JULY 2026
ACT OF LEGISLATIVE CONTENT
“Abolition of the Building Services (Planning Offices), establishment of a digital model for issuing permits, and re-founding of the institution of the Regional Market Inspectorate per prefecture for the combating of profiteering”
Having regard to:
Article 44, paragraph 1 of the Constitution of Greece.
The extraordinary case of an exceptionally urgent and unforeseen need for the immediate reconstruction of the national economy, the rooting out of the corruption networks in the Planning Offices and the instant protection of the consumer from the uncontrolled inflation in the market.
The proposal of the Cabinet.
WE DECIDE
CHAPTER A': ABOLITION OF PLANNING OFFICES & NEW MODEL FOR ISSUING PERMITS
Article 1: Abolition of the Building Services (YDOM)
From the publication of this act, all the Planning Offices and Building Services (YDOM) of the Municipalities of the territory are abolished horizontally.
All their building infrastructure and equipment is sealed and passes into the ownership of the Ministry of the Interior.
All administrative staff of the abolished YDOM are immediately transferred to front-line services of the state that have staff shortages (hospitals, Citizen Service Centres, insurance funds).
Article 2: Digital issuing of permits and individual responsibility of the engineer
The Digital System of Automatic Issuing of Permits is established. Every building permit is issued electronically within two (2) working days, without the intervention or prior check of a public servant.
The signing private engineer assumes the full, exclusive civil and criminal responsibility for the correctness of the studies and compliance with the law.
For the issuing of the permit, a mandatory, graduated Digital Fee (stamp duty) is established, the amount of which is calculated strictly in proportion to the total square metres (sq.m.) of the building.
Legality checks are carried out exclusively on a sample basis (audits) during or after the completion of the project. Where fraud or gross negligence is found, the engineer's professional licence is withdrawn for life and the case is referred to the judiciary the same day.
CHAPTER B': RE-FOUNDING OF THE MARKET INSPECTORATE PER PREFECTURE
Article 3: Establishment of Regional Directorates of the Market Inspectorate
The institution of the Market Inspectorate (Agoranomia) is re-established as a special, active enforcement corps of the Ministry of Development.
One (1) autonomous Regional Directorate of the Market Inspectorate is set up in each of the country's 54 prefectures, under the direct supervision of the relevant appointed Prefect.
The staffing of the Market Inspectorate is carried out by the immediate transfer of specialised personnel from the abolished Independent Authorities and with the assistance of the Financial Police corps.
Article 4: Competences and emergency powers of the Market Inspectorate
The market inspectors have the right of free, unannounced entry to any stage of the supply chain (warehouses, wholesale, supermarkets, local shops) 24 hours a day.
The object of the inspection is the immediate identification of profiteering, artificial inflation, monopolistic profiteering and the illegal hiding of stocks of basic goods (food, fuel, medicines).
A maximum permitted profit margin per category of basic good is established. Any excess is automatically considered a market-inspection offence.
Article 5: Administrative sanctions and transmission to the judiciary
Where an offence is found, the Market Inspectorate immediately imposes the following administrative sanctions:
An immediate administrative fine equal to five times the illegal profit.
Temporary sealing of the business for 10 to 90 days.
Permanent withdrawal of the operating licence in the event of a repeat offence.
The evidence and the findings of the inspections are transmitted within 48 hours to the competent Prosecuting Authorities of the country for the bringing of criminal charges, ensuring full legality and transparency.
CHAPTER C': FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 6: Entry into force
This act, which will be ratified by law under Article 44, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, enters into force from its publication in the Government Gazette.
Athens, July 2026
THE PRIME MINISTER
(Signature)
THE MEMBERS OF THE CABINET
(Signatures)