The Interior Minister, Constantinos Ioannou, has announced a new expedited process for granting urban planning and construction permits aimed at low and medium-risk projects, as part of an extensive reform in the licensing sector.

This streamlined procedure targets constructions like up to 12 terraced houses and four-story apartment buildings having a maximum of 20 apartments and a basement, with the intent to simplify the licensing process and boost operational efficiency.

The new fast-track system will reduce the maximum duration of permit approvals to 80 working days.

Building License Application

Applications will be facilitated through the “Hippodamos” System, where private designers will verify the precision and completeness of the submissions, taking responsibility for their compliance with regulations. This reform also presents significant transformations in development control, moving away from paper-based reports to on-site examinations conducted in three phases.

Quality Assurance and Fairness

To maintain the quality of construction while expediting permit issuance, Building Inspectors will be designated to carry out inspections at two stages during construction.

A final clearance will be executed by EOA officers, who will provide the ultimate approval. If previous inspections yield any discrepancies, appeals can be lodged against the Building Inspectors.

To foster impartiality, inspectors will be chosen randomly, and different individuals will assess each project at various stages.

Past Reforms in Building Licensing

The Minister noted that this licensing reform builds on 22 measures introduced since October 2023, aimed at making processes more streamlined and cutting down bureaucracy.

An auto-licensing mechanism for low-risk developments (up to two homes) has been in place since October 2024, reducing approval times to 40 working days.

To date, 491 applications for single-family and duplex houses have been filed, with 347 having been processed. In the Category B developments sector, 61 building permit applications have been lodged since February 2025, with seven having already received approval.

Mr. Ioannou stressed that the reform will quicken permit issuance for 50% of projects, allowing authorities to concentrate on more intricate cases.

The Government remains steadfast in its dedication to improving public services to benefit citizens, promoting efficiency, transparency, and economic growth through modernized licensing procedures.