Can I put an air-conditioner on the facade?
Conditional: you may install a unit, but on existing buildings only under strict conditions — and you must drain the condensate. Under the Building Code (Law 4067/2012, Art. 16): on new buildings the outdoor unit is integrated and doesn't protrude from the facade (balconies/roof). On existing buildings, a facade unit is allowed only if it can't go on a balcony/terrace/roof, with a projection ≤50 cm, at a height >3.00 m above the pavement, with proper condensate drainage and respecting noise limits. The water must be piped away — free dripping onto the pavement/neighbour breaches the Building Code and cleanliness regulations. Listed buildings need Architectural Council approval. In short: yes under conditions, no dripping.
📋 The rules
- New buildings: the unit doesn't protrude from the facade
- Existing: projection ≤50 cm, height >3.00 m
- Mandatory condensate drainage via a pipe
- Respect noise limits towards neighbours
- Listed buildings: Architectural Council approval
🔓 Exceptions
- Placement in an inner light-well/courtyard: avoids the facade
- The building's by-laws may forbid units on common parts
- A balcony/terrace solution: preferable to the facade
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Free dripping of condensate onto public space is fined with municipal cleanliness fines, set per municipality (e.g. ~€100–€200/violation) — there's no single national figure. An illegal facade installation can be recorded as an unauthorised structure (Law 4495/2017), with a removal order and fines. In civil law, the neighbour can demand removal and damages (Civil Code 1003–1004, 914) and seek interim measures. Beware myths: "there's one fixed national fine for the drip" — wrong (it's municipal/variable); "put the unit anywhere on your facade" — wrong (Art. 16 sets limits). To stay compliant: prefer a balcony/terrace, connect a drainage pipe, observe the height/projection, and check the building's by-laws.
📎 Official sources
- Law 4067/2012 (Art. 16) — Building Code →
- Law 4495/2017 — unauthorised structures →
- Municipal Cleanliness Regulation →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I place an air-conditioner on the facade?
On new buildings the outdoor unit must not protrude from the facade. On existing ones it's allowed on the facade only if it can't go elsewhere, with a projection up to 50 cm, at a height above 3 metres, with proper drainage and respect for noise limits.
What about dripping water?
The condensate must be piped away and not drip freely onto the pavement or a neighbour. Free dripping breaches the Building Code and cleanliness regulations and is fined with a municipal penalty that varies by municipality.
Is there a fixed fine for dripping?
No. The fine for condensate dripping onto public space is set by each municipality's cleanliness regulation and varies, e.g. around €100–€200 per violation. There's no single national figure, so it's best to check your own municipality.
Can the neighbour ask me to remove it?
Yes, if the unit bothers them with water, noise or hot air, or is illegally installed. Under the Civil Code they can demand removal of the nuisance and damages, and even seek interim measures to remove or adjust the unit.
Do I need approval for a listed building?
Yes. For listed or traditional buildings, installing an outdoor unit needs Architectural Council approval. In addition, the building's by-laws may independently forbid units on the common facades of the building.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “air conditioner facade law greece”
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- “ac neighbour nuisance”
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