Criminal law · Greece
Find a criminal lawyer in Greece who understands Greek penal procedure
Facing a criminal investigation, charges or an appeal in Greece? We connect you with a vetted Greek lawyer who handles criminal defence, from the preliminary stage to the Areios Pagos. Tell us about your case and we will match you at no cost.
- Vetted members of Greek Bar Associations
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- Response within 24–48 hours, free of charge
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For clients facing criminal proceedings in Greece
A criminal case in Greece needs a lawyer who knows the penal courts and Greek procedure
If you are being investigated, charged or summoned before a Greek criminal court, the way you handle the first steps can affect the whole case. Greece follows the continental civil-law model: the penal courts apply codified statutes, and the Court of Cassation (Areios Pagos) reviews only the legal correctness of lower-court decisions. A criminal lawyer in Greece can appear with you during questioning, prepare your defence, challenge procedural irregularities and represent you at first instance and on appeal. Because membership of a Greek Bar Association is compulsory and lawyers are bound by professional secrecy, you can speak openly. Our matching service helps you find a lawyer who practises criminal defence in the relevant city or court district. We do not give legal advice; we simply connect you with a professional who handles your type of case.
How criminal defence works in Greece
The Greek criminal justice system at a glance
Greece has separate civil, criminal and administrative jurisdictions. The ordinary criminal courts are the Magistrates’ Courts, Courts of First Instance and Courts of Appeal, while the Areios Pagos acts as the supreme court for penal matters. Below are the key rules governing lawyers, costs and deadlines that may affect your case.
Criminal courts and the Areios Pagos
Criminal cases in Greece are heard by ordinary courts: the Magistrates’ Courts and Courts of First Instance at first instance, with appeals before the Courts of Appeal. The Areios Pagos, the supreme court for civil and criminal justice, has two penal chambers and does not re-examine facts, only legal correctness. All proceedings are conducted in Greek, so representation by a Greek-qualified lawyer is essential.
Who may practise as a criminal lawyer
Only a member of a Greek Bar Association may practise law in Greece. Admission requires passing the nationwide bar examinations, appointment by the Minister of Justice, taking the statutory oath and registration with a local bar. The Code of Lawyers treats the lawyer as a public functionary, not a commercial provider, and imposes professional secrecy.
Costs and legal aid in criminal proceedings
Criminal-procedure costs are set by the Code of Criminal Procedure, Law 4446/2016 and joint ministerial decisions. Lawyer fees are freely agreed in writing; without an agreement, the statutory scale applies. Free legal aid is available under Law 3226/2004 for low-income persons, those with a disability of 67% or more, and qualifying EU or third-country nationals.
Your right to a lawyer during proceedings
A lawyer represents and defends clients before every court, authority and public service, and provides legal advice and opinions. Although not all steps require a lawyer, Greek criminal procedure generally requires legal representation for effective defence. You may appoint a lawyer under a notarised special power of attorney for certain acts.
How we match you with a criminal lawyer in Greece
We match you with a vetted lawyer who handles criminal defence in the relevant Greek court, based on the city and the stage of your case. You receive a shortlist with no obligation, and you choose whether to instruct. We do not provide legal advice or promise an outcome; we only connect you with a professional.
All country-specific information is drawn from official Greek sources, the European e-Justice Portal and the Greek Ministry of Justice, as accessed and verified in 2025.
- European e-Justice Portal – National justice systems: Greece
- Athens Bar Association – Identity of the DSA
- European e-Justice Portal – Costs: Greece
- Greek Ministry of Justice – Greek Civil Code (Astikós Kódikas)
- Hellenic Labour Institute – Challenge of dismissal
- Independent Authority for Public Revenue – Inheritance tax
- Independent Authority for Public Revenue – Tax obligations arising from loss of life
Common client situations
What you may be facing right now
Criminal proceedings in Greece can be stressful, especially if you are unfamiliar with the system or the language.
You have been summoned or charged
You do not know what the Greek prosecutor expects or how to prepare. A criminal lawyer in Greece can explain the charge, your rights and the immediate steps to protect your position before any hearing.
You do not speak Greek
Court proceedings in Greece are conducted in Greek, and documents are in Greek. Without local representation, you may miss deadlines or misunderstand the process. We match you with a lawyer who can bridge the language gap and handle the case.
You need an appeal without delay
Strict time limits apply to appeals against Greek criminal judgments. A lawyer who practises before the Areios Pagos or the Courts of Appeal can assess the legal error and prepare the appeal correctly.
Why use our matching service
A safer way to find a criminal defence lawyer in Greece
We focus on verified legal professionals, not general directories.
Fast, filtered matching
We match you with a lawyer who handles criminal cases in Greece, not a generalist. You receive a focused shortlist within 24 to 48 hours, with no charge for the matching itself.
Vetted after compulsory bar admission
Every lawyer on our network is a member of a Greek Bar Association, having passed the national examinations and registered with the local bar. You avoid unverified advisers.
Confidential by design
Greek lawyers are bound by professional secrecy and act as public functionaries, not commercial agents. Your enquiry remains private, and you can speak openly with the lawyer you choose.
No obligation, no pressure
You decide whether to instruct the matched lawyer. There are no hidden fees for our service, and you are free to compare before committing.
Serving clients across Europe
We match lawyers in Greece and neighbouring jurisdictions
If your matter involves more than one country, we can also connect you with lawyers in other European legal systems.
Frequently asked questions
Answers about criminal lawyers in Greece
Do I need a criminal lawyer in Greece if I am only a suspect?
Yes, in many cases. Greek criminal procedure allows a suspect to be assisted by a lawyer during questioning and pre-trial stages. A criminal lawyer in Greece can protect your rights, advise you on what to say and challenge any procedural irregularity before charges are formalised.
What is the role of the Areios Pagos in Greek criminal cases?
The Areios Pagos is the supreme court for civil and criminal justice. It does not re-examine facts but reviews only the legal correctness of lower-court decisions. It has two penal chambers, and its judgments guide the uniform interpretation of Greek criminal statutes, though they are not formally binding precedent.
Can a foreigner get legal aid for a criminal case in Greece?
Yes. Under Law 3226/2004, legal aid is available to low-income persons, those with a disability of 67% or more, and qualifying EU citizens or third-country nationals lawfully resident in the EU. The income threshold may be waived where the cost of living makes the applicant unable to bear the costs.
How are lawyer fees for criminal defence set in Greece?
A lawyer’s fee is freely determined by written agreement with the client, covering the whole proceedings or specific acts. Without a written agreement, the statutory scale based on the value of the matter applies. Fees are subject to 24% VAT. Criminal-procedure costs follow the Code of Criminal Procedure and related ministerial decisions.
What happens if I miss a deadline in a Greek criminal case?
Deadlines in Greek criminal procedure are strict, and missing them can affect your right to appeal or challenge a decision. The exact consequences depend on the stage and the type of act. A criminal lawyer in Greece can check the file, calculate the relevant time limits and act immediately.
How quickly can I be matched with a criminal lawyer in Greece?
Most requests receive a shortlist within 24 to 48 hours. The matching is free and without obligation. You then choose whether to contact the lawyer, ask for a preliminary call or continue searching.
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Tell us about your case and the city where you need representation. We will send you a shortlist of vetted Greek criminal lawyers within one to two working days. Free, confidential and with no obligation.