All housing benefits are coming under the microscope of the Property Ownership and Management Registry (MIDA), as cross-referencing will identify cases of illegal or unjustified subsidies to tenants. The new system, being promoted by the Ministry of Finance and AADE, is expected to be operational by the end of June and will serve as the unified digital database for all properties in the country.
MIDA: How illegal or unjustified subsidies will be detected
Through MIDA, data from E9 forms, the Land Registry, rental contracts and other databases such as digital declarations for property transfer taxes, donations, parental contributions and inheritances will be cross-referenced to verify whether beneficiaries actually meet the asset criteria for benefit eligibility. Housing allowances, student housing subsidies, rent refunds, heating allowances, as well as the Minimum Guaranteed Income and Social Household Tariff will be the focus of these audits.
A complete digital file will be created for each property with information on type, area, use, rental or transfer status, while data such as the Property Identity Number (ATAK) and National Land Registry Code Number (KAEK) will also be recorded. This way, tax authorities will be able to identify cases of citizens who present a different picture of their real estate assets in order to receive benefits they are not entitled to.
From 2027 MIDA becomes key for ENFIA exemptions too
From 2027, MIDA will also be used for granting ENFIA tax exemptions and reductions, as the new registry will verify which properties are declared and used as primary residences. Special emphasis will be placed on homes located in small settlements, where special tax reliefs are provided. The ENFIA exemption applies to homes in settlements up to 1,500 inhabitants, while for specific border areas the limit increases to 1,700 inhabitants with a maximum objective property value of €400,000.
This change is considered pivotal, as until now the primary residence has been determined by information declared by taxpayers in their income tax returns. With MIDA’s operation, this information will be cross-referenced with actual property data, limiting the scope for erroneous or inaccurate declarations.
Short-term rentals, leasing and free transfers in the new system
For the first time, property owners will be required to declare in detail the use of each property – whether it is owner-occupied, rented, freely transferred, vacant, or utilized through short-term rental or leasing. Vacant homes in particular will be fully recorded, giving the state a clear picture of available properties that could strengthen the housing market and help address the housing crisis.
Agricultural subsidy audits via satellites and AI
Additionally, MIDA will be used to audit agricultural subsidies through cross-referencing eligible areas, leases and ownership status of agricultural plots. The use of satellite imagery combined with artificial intelligence tools will enable authorities to map agricultural areas more accurately and determine which ones meet the criteria for subsidy allocation.
