Greece’s tax authority has announced sweeping property tax exemptions for thousands of homeowners whose properties were damaged or destroyed by wildfires, floods, and earthquakes in 2023 and 2024.
The move is part of a broader effort to support communities still recovering from a series of devastating natural disasters.
The Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) said the exemptions apply to the ENFIA property tax, an annual levy on real estate.
The decision follows a central reassessment of tax obligations and aims to provide financial relief to affected homeowners.
The exemptions cover properties damaged by wildfires or floods in 2024, as well as homes in areas declared as urban planning inactive, including parts of Florina, Kozani, Grevena, and Evia, which were hit by wildfires in 2021.
Properties in Samos, Ikaria, and Chios, impacted by a 2020 earthquake and floods, as well as regions in Thessaly, Central Macedonia, Western Macedonia, and Sterea Ellada affected by a 2021 earthquake, will also qualify. For 2023, homes damaged by wildfires or floods in July, August, and September of that year will be exempt.
The reassessment affects 48,485 taxpayers, many of whom have been struggling to rebuild after losing their homes or businesses.
The government said the exemptions are based on existing laws designed to provide relief in the wake of natural disasters.
Those eligible for refunds or adjustments will also receive notifications via email or official communication.
Greece has faced a series of natural disasters in recent years, including deadly wildfires, severe floods, and powerful earthquakes. These events have left many communities in ruins and strained the country’s resources.
The ENFIA tax exemptions are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to help affected residents recover and rebuild.
The announcement has been welcomed by many homeowners, though some critics argue that more comprehensive support is needed to address the long-term impacts of these disasters.
The government has pledged to continue working with local authorities and international partners to strengthen disaster response and recovery efforts.