European Union: Real Estate

Germany is rolling out nationwide solar installation requirements for buildings starting January 1, 2027, as part of its Building Modernization Act implementing EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive obligations. The phased requirements will progressively extend from new public non-residential buildings to residential properties and parking areas through 2031, with technology-neutral provisions allowing both photovoltaic and solar thermal systems installed on roofs or elsewhere on the property.

Greek courts are increasingly ruling that real estate acquisitions at auction by REO companies affiliated with loan servicers constitute an unlawful circumvention of statutory prohibitions. Recent judgments from the Western Macedonia Court of Appeal and Athens Court of First Instance have found that these arrangements allow servicers to maintain economic control while formally separating legal entities, depriving debtors of fair settlement opportunities and enabling below-market acquisitions.

Non-resident property owners in Cyprus can complete sales remotely through proper legal representation, but success depends on coordinating title verification, mortgage releases, tax clearances, and completion documents before contractual commitments are made. What specific steps must sellers living abroad take to ensure their Cyprus property transaction proceeds smoothly without requiring their physical presence at every stage?