Legal services · Greece

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Legal services in Greece

Why work with a specialised Greek lawyer?

Finding your way through the Greek legal system is easier when you work with a lawyer who knows the local rules and procedures. Greece follows a civil-law system built on codified statutes, and courts are organised in civil, criminal and administrative branches. Lawyers in Greece must be compulsory members of a Bar Association, pass the nationwide bar examinations and be entered in a Bar register under the Code of Lawyers. Whether you are dealing with a property transfer that requires a notarial deed and constitutive Land Registry registration, a family matter, an employment dispute or a cross-border succession, the correct formal steps and deadlines matter. We do not provide legal advice. Instead, we match you with a lawyer who handles your type of matter and can explain your options under Greek law.


The legal framework in Greece

How legal representation and key procedures work in Greece

This section summarises how legal representation and key procedures work in Greece, based exclusively on official sources. It covers court structure, lawyer admission, costs, real-estate formalities, forced heirship and consensual divorce. For your specific situation, we match you with a verified Greek lawyer who handles your type of matter.

Civil law system and court hierarchy

Greece follows the continental civil-law model based on codified statutes, not binding precedent. Civil, criminal and administrative courts are separate branches. The Areios Pagos reviews only legal correctness, while first-instance and appellate courts handle facts. Sources: Greek Constitution, Civil Code and Code of Civil Procedure.

Who may practise as a lawyer

Membership of a Bar Association is compulsory. Under the Code of Lawyers, a lawyer must pass the bar examinations, obtain the Minister of Justice appointment, take the statutory oath and be entered in a Bar Association register. Greek, EU or EEA citizenship is generally required, along with a recognised law degree.

Costs and legal aid

Court fees include a proportional judicial stamp duty on civil claims (4‰ or 8‰ plus a 30% surcharge). Lawyers’ fees are freely agreed in writing; absent an agreement, statutory scales apply. Legal aid under Law 3226/2004 is available for low-income persons and certain EU residents.

Real estate transfers and registration

A notarial deed is required for transfer or encumbrance of immovable property, and ownership passes only upon registration with the Land Registry or Cadastral Office – the registration is constitutive. Missing notarial form makes the transfer incurably void, and transfer tax must be paid before signing.

Forced heirship and estate planning

Greek succession law reserves forced heirship portions for descendants, surviving spouse and sometimes parents. The reserved portion is half of the intestate share, acquired automatically at the opening of succession. Gifts made in the last ten years before death may be added back to calculate the reserved portion.

Divorce without a court

Since Law 4509/2017, a consensual divorce is concluded by notarial deed signed by both spouses and their lawyers – no hearing or minimum marriage duration. Only contested divorces, based on irretrievable breakdown presumed after two years of separation, remain before the courts.

Key time limits in Greece

Matter Time limit What it means
General limitation period for civil claims 20 years The general limitation (prescription) period for civil claims is 20 years under Article 249 of the Greek Civil Code, unless a shorter period is provided by law.
Commercial, professional-fee and periodic claims 5 years Article 250 of the Greek Civil Code subjects several categories of claims to a shorter 5-year limitation period, including merchants’ claims for goods, claims for professional fees and remuneration, and periodic payments such as rent and interest.
Tort (delict) claims 5 years (20 years absolute) Under Article 937 of the Greek Civil Code, a claim for damages arising from a tort (unlawful act) is barred after five years from the time the victim learned of the damage and of the person liable, and in any event after twenty years from the commission of the act.
Challenge of dismissal (wrongful/unfair dismissal) 3 months (invalidity) / 6 months (severance) A claim for a declaration that a dismissal is null and void is inadmissible unless served within three months of the dismissal, and a claim for payment or completion of the statutory severance is inadmissible unless served within six months of the date the severance became due (Article 6 of Law 3198/1955). These are lapse (aposvestikí) periods, not ordinary limitation periods.
Inheritance tax return filing 9 months (death in Greece) / 1 year (death abroad) The inheritance tax return must be submitted within nine months if the deceased died in Greece, or within one year if the deceased died abroad or the heirs/legatees were residing abroad at the time of death; the deadline runs from the death or, for testamentary heirs, from publication of the will.
Renunciation (disclaimer) of inheritance 4 months (extendable to 1 year if abroad) An heir may renounce an inheritance by a declaration before the clerk of the Magistrates’ Court within an exclusive period of four months from learning of the devolution and the ground of succession (Article 1847 of the Greek Civil Code); the period is extended to one year if the deceased had their last residence abroad or the heir was notified while residing abroad.
Adverse possession (usucapion) of real property 10 years (ordinary) / 20 years (extraordinary) Ownership of immovable property may be acquired by adverse possession: ordinary usucapion requires possession as reputed owner, good faith, a legal title and at least 10 years, while extraordinary usucapion requires 20 years of possession regardless of good faith (Articles 1041 and 1045 of the Greek Civil Code).
Contested divorce (irretrievable breakdown presumption) 2 years of continuous separation In a contested divorce, the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is presumed if the spouses have been separated for at least two years (Article 1439 of the Greek Civil Code). Consensual divorce, by contrast, is now concluded out of court by a notarial deed (Article 1441, as amended by Law 4509/2017 and Law 4800/2021).

This data has been compiled from official sources: European e-Justice Portal, Greek Ministry of Justice, Athens Bar Association, Greek Ministry of Labour, AADE and the Consolidated Greek Civil Code (last verified May 2025).


Common challenges

What can go wrong without specialised help in Greece

Greek legal formalities are strict, and missing a step can have serious consequences.

01

Unfamiliar court system

Greek civil, criminal and administrative courts are separate branches with formal procedures. Without local guidance, it is easy to miss a deadline or file in the wrong court. We match you with lawyers in Greece who know the correct path.

02

Strict formalities for property and succession

Real-estate transfers require a notarial deed and constitutive registration; forced heirship automatically reserves half of the intestate share. A mistake can void a transfer or disrupt an estate. A specialised lawyer helps you comply.

03

Costs and legal aid uncertainty

Court fees, stamp duties and lawyer fees follow statutory rules, but free legal aid is only available under specific income conditions. You may be unsure whether you qualify. A matched lawyer can explain your options.


Why use the matching service

The advantages of using our platform

We help you find the right legal support without the guesswork.

Matched to your matter

Tell us your legal issue and we connect you with a Greek lawyer whose practice covers that specific area, from civil litigation to real-estate, family, employment or inheritance law.

Quick first response

Our network typically provides a first response within 24–48 hours. You can describe your situation once and receive a shortlist of suitable lawyers without paying for the matching.

Qualified and licensed

Every lawyer we work with is a member of a Greek Bar Association and meets the statutory requirements of the Code of Lawyers, including the bar examinations and register entry.

No-obligation introduction

The matching service is free. You decide whether to instruct the lawyer and agree the fee directly with them under the rules of Law 4194/2013.


Other jurisdictions

Related European jurisdictions

Our network also covers related legal markets across Europe. You can request a lawyer in Greece or any of these countries.

AlbaniaBulgariaCyprusFranceGermanyItalyMaltaNorth MacedoniaRomaniaSpainTurkeyUnited Kingdom

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about lawyers in Greece

How do I find the right lawyers in Greece for my case?

Describe your matter in the matching form and we will identify a lawyer whose practice area matches your issue. We only work with lawyers who are compulsory members of a Greek Bar Association and meet the admission requirements of the Code of Lawyers.

Do I need a lawyer in Greece to buy or sell real estate?

For most litigation, legal representation is required. For a real-estate transfer, a notarial deed and registration with the Land Registry or Cadastral Office are constitutive, and only lawyers, bailiffs and notaries may conduct searches. You may act through a lawyer holding a notarised power of attorney.

What are the main civil limitation periods in Greece?

Under the Greek Civil Code, the general limitation period for civil claims is 20 years; commercial, professional-fee and periodic claims are 5 years; tort claims are 5 years with a 20-year absolute limit. Specific deadlines apply for dismissal, inheritance tax and adverse possession.

Can I get free legal aid in Greece if I have a low income?

Law 3226/2004 provides free legal aid in criminal, civil and commercial cases for low-income citizens whose annual family income does not exceed two thirds of the minimum annual personal income under the National General Collective Labour Agreement. Persons with a disability of 67% or more qualify regardless of income.

Is a lawyer required for a consensual divorce in Greece?

Yes, since Law 4509/2017, a consensual divorce is concluded by a notarial deed signed by both spouses and their respective lawyers. There is no hearing and no minimum duration of marriage. Only contested divorces remain before the courts.

How are lawyer fees regulated in Greece?

A lawyer’s fee is freely determined by written agreement with the client. Where there is no written agreement, the statutory scale based on the value of the matter applies. Fees are subject to 24% VAT, and legal aid uses the statutory scale as a basis.


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