Is cooperative housing possible in Greece?

The study “Is cooperative housing possible in Greece?” is a report produced by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung – Thessaloniki Office, a German‑based foundation active in the Balkans that supports civil society and democratic initiatives. It is authored by Dimitra Siatitsa and Maria Karagianni, researchers with expertise in Greek social‑solidarity‑economy topics. The document analyses the historical, legal and policy context of housing cooperatives in Greece and evaluates their feasibility.

Housing cooperatives in Greece have never fully developed. Early 20th‑century policy encouraged cooperative models inspired by French and German garden‑city experiments, but these benefits were limited to civil‑servants and did not include financing. The modern legal framework for building cooperatives was codified in 1987 (PD 93/1987) and subsequently amended, allowing cooperatives to provide members with land, plots or houses and to dissolve after completing their purpose. However, restrictive land‑use laws, especially the protection of forest areas under the 1975 Constitution, have hampered many projects.

The report notes that over 200 cooperative projects are currently suspended, affecting more than 150 000 members. Existing cooperatives often operate as private urbanisation schemes rather than adhering to cooperative principles, and they lack a coherent national housing policy. Financial barriers, high land costs and limited access to capital are major obstacles, while public‑sector support remains sporadic and fragmented.

Traditional housing cooperatives function as share‑holding companies: members purchase a share equal to the property value to obtain a right of use, which can later be resold. In response to capital‑raising difficulties, non‑profit rental cooperatives have emerged, where members pay an initial registration fee and sign a lease, without acquiring ownership shares. Both models rely on democratic decision‑making and aim to limit real‑estate profiteering.

The authors outline four key policy tools that can enable cooperative housing: (1) granting long‑term use rights to land or buildings while retaining public ownership (typically 60‑90 years); (2) providing financial guarantees or dedicated funds; (3) implementing institutional reforms such as favourable tax regimes and streamlined access to financing programmes; and (4) fostering public‑social partnerships that subsidise low‑income participation. Examples from Zurich, Barcelona and Brussels illustrate how these mechanisms operate elsewhere in Europe.

Despite the historical and legal impediments, the report concludes that cooperative housing is not only possible in Greece but also essential for sustainable urban development. The authors argue that a supportive legislative framework combined with grassroots mobilisation could unlock the model’s potential, aligning with broader European Sustainable‑Housing objectives. The study thus provides a factual basis for policymakers, NGOs and citizens interested in collaborative, environmentally responsible housing solutions across Europe.