Extremely important to stimulate private initiative and absorb European funds will be financial incentives and other new measures that are proposed to be institutionalized for the first time for the restoration, static strengthening and reuse of the country’s historic building wealth (more than 250,000 buildings), a standing request of the Association of Owners of Surviving Buildings and Monuments.

After twenty years of struggle, the new provisions cover, unfortunately with considerable delay, the constitutional and international convention obligations of the state in relation to the country’s surviving buildings and monuments, to make a financial and institutional contribution during a particularly costly and temporary period. time-consuming maintenance process.

In particular, the association has submitted jointly to the competent ministries of culture, environment and finance a draft law tentatively proposing an extension of their ENFIA exemption, zero or reduced VAT on maintenance and restoration costs, a deduction of restoration costs and a reduced tax rate on profits that come from the lease of a mothballed building, regardless of the date of completion of the restoration work.

It also offers exemption from transfer tax and other related charges, as well as age calculation in ENFIA based on the date of construction, as evidenced by any publicly available document.

At the same time, the “Save Homes” program, which is the first initiative tool in the “Save Homes” standards, will contribute to the restoration of not only facades, but also additionally static elements of the supporting organization, in accordance with the standards of the new European strategies for increasing the resilience of buildings to climate change (European Renovation Wave Strategy), with funding first from the NSRF (500 million already approved) and later from the Recovery Fund.

It is expected that the above will be supported by appropriate funds, also provided by the Recovery Fund, to expedite the procedures for issuing the relevant permits (observance of the 3-month period for approval of studies), which is a necessary condition for the smooth implementation of the rules and the rapid absorption of European funds.

With this privileged structure in place, those with old property will now seek preservation rather than demolition, and will have both the opportunity and the strongest incentive to repair and preserve it, and upon request.

The initiative belongs to Minister of State Akis Šertsos, who is promoting the new measures by proposing them directly to the competent ministers. Staikouras, Skrekas, Mendonis, Georgiadis, Deputy Ministers Mr. Vesiropoulos, Tagaras, G.G. D.P. To Finance Minister Mr. Petralia and AADE Governor Mr. Pitsilis with the aim of going directly through the Council of Ministers as an overall comprehensive government strategy in line with the principles of sustainable development and the circular economy, as well as the preservation of our architectural heritage, given that strategically targeted investments in the beauty of each country and in the entire countable chain “Culture – tourism” have become a solemn priority for the countries of Europe.

For example, the corresponding Italian restoration plan provides for the restoration of monuments worth more than 7 billion dollars, together with the famous “super bonus of 110%”, i.e. exemption from VAT for 110% of repair and restoration work.

The opportunity for the country to stop the collapse and finally properly maintain and highlight its historically and culturally valuable architectural heritage with European funds, while strengthening the construction sector and strengthening cultural tourism, is, without exaggeration, enormous and unique. so it cannot be skipped.

* Ms. Evi Mamidaki – lawyer, legal advisor of the Panhellenic Association of Owners of Preserved Buildings and Monuments, member of POMIDA.