Urban Planning Restrictions and Engineers' Warnings on Construction in the Cyclades

Discussions regarding building terms in the Cyclades islands are ongoing, with the Ministry of Environment and Energy examining the continuation of restrictions. Current construction suspensions in Mykonos, Milos, and Caldera apply until December 31, 2026, provided that relevant urban plans are not approved earlier.

The president of the Cyclades Architects Association, Chrysostomos Kypritzis, warns that lifting suspensions without established new rules will trigger a wave of off-plan building permit applications. In Santorini, planners propose increasing minimum plot sizes for housing to 8,000 square meters and for tourist developments to 40,000 square meters within specific zones.

Engineers also express concern over the general provisions of the Presidential Decree (Official Gazette 194/D/2025) regarding settlements. They point out that applying these rules without local adjustments allows structures up to 7.50 meters for two floors, or up to 10 meters for a third floor due to slope, requesting specific terms to protect traditional settlement cores.

Regarding geographical distribution, development in Naxos is concentrated in Chora and the western coast. Meanwhile, the Municipality of Milos requests maintaining the suspension specifically for new hotels while allowing other constructions and the completion of legally permitted projects under conditions.