Theft and criminal defence · Greece
Find a theft lawyer in Greece who handles your case
Whether you are facing a criminal investigation or trying to recover what was taken, Greek proceedings run on codified statutes and a defined court hierarchy. We help you reach a lawyer who works with theft matters in the district where your case is being heard.
- Criminal defence and civil recovery assessed together
- Lawyers registered with a Greek Bar Association
- Free matching, usually within 24–48 hours
Free and confidential. No obligation to instruct anyone.
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Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Criminal defence in Greece
What a theft lawyer in Greece actually deals with
A theft lawyer in Greece deals with two connected problems: the criminal proceedings that follow an alleged taking of property, and the civil consequences that flow from it, such as claims for damages or the return of goods. Greece follows the continental civil-law model, so the framework is codified in statutes rather than built on binding precedent, and the courts are divided into civil, criminal and administrative jurisdictions, with the Supreme Court (Areios Pagos) reviewing legal correctness rather than the facts. Only a lawyer entered in the register of a Greek Bar Association may represent you before the courts. We match you, free of charge, with a Greek lawyer who handles theft cases in the district where your matter is being heard.
Country specifics
How theft matters are handled in Greece
The same set of facts can open two parallel tracks: a criminal file handled by the Greek prosecution authorities and courts, and a possible civil claim for damages or the return of property. Knowing which court hears what, and who is entitled to appear there, is the first practical step.
Who may represent you in court
Membership of a Bar Association is compulsory in order to practise law in Greece. Under Article 4 of Law 4194/2013 (the Code of Lawyers), a lawyer qualifies by passing the nationwide bar examinations, obtaining an appointment decision of the Minister of Justice published in the Government Gazette, taking the statutory oath and being entered in a Bar register. That is the credential worth checking before instructing anyone.
Which Greek courts hear a theft case
Courts in Greece are organised in three jurisdictions: civil, criminal and administrative. Criminal matters begin before the Magistrates’ Courts (Eirinodikeía) or the Courts of First Instance (Protodikeía), and appeals are heard by the Courts of Appeal (Efeteía). The Supreme Court (Areios Pagos) has two penal chambers and reviews only the legal correctness of decisions, not the facts of the case.
The statutory role of your lawyer
Article 1 of the Code of Lawyers describes the lawyer as a public functionary whose office is a foundation of the rule of law, and states expressly that practising law is not a commercial activity. Your lawyer is bound by legal professional secrecy, defends the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights, and acts as a co-operator of the administration of justice.
Damages claims that run alongside the criminal file
An alleged theft can also generate a civil claim for damages or for the return of property. Tort claims in Greece are subject to a five-year limitation period, with an absolute long-stop of twenty years. General civil claims carry a twenty-year period, while commercial, professional-fee and periodic claims are limited to five years, so the civil track has to be assessed separately from the criminal one.
What representation costs and who pays
A lawyer’s fee is freely determined by written agreement with the client under Article 58 of the Code of Lawyers and may cover the whole proceedings or specific acts; where there is no written agreement, the statutory scale applies, and fees are subject to 24% VAT. Free legal aid under Law 3226/2004 is available to low-income applicants, including qualifying EU citizens and lawfully resident third-country nationals.
Proceedings are conducted in Greek
The language of the Greek courts is Greek, and filings, applications and correspondence are drafted in Greek by your representative. A lawyer may act before every court, authority and public service in the country, which matters if you live outside Greece and need the file handled locally while you keep control of the decisions that affect you.
The country details on this page are taken from official Greek bodies and the European e-Justice Portal as consulted at the time of publication; always confirm current practice with your lawyer.
Common situations
The cases clients bring to us
Most people who contact us are dealing with one of three situations, and all of them are time-sensitive.
You are named in a criminal file
A theft allegation can move quickly from a complaint to questioning and then to a hearing. Because Greek procedure is codified and conducted in Greek, early representation by a lawyer registered with a Bar Association shapes how your position is recorded.
You are the victim of a theft
Recovering property or compensation is a different question from whether anyone is convicted. In Greece a tort claim for damages is subject to a five-year limitation period with a twenty-year absolute limit, so the civil route needs to be assessed early.
You live outside Greece
Distance makes every step harder: language, filings and court dates in a district you do not know. A Greek lawyer may act before every court, authority and public service, so the file can be handled locally while you keep control of the decisions.
How we help
Why clients use our matching service
One request, a shortlist of Greek lawyers who actually work with theft matters, and no fee for the introduction.
Specialists rather than generalists
We look for lawyers who handle theft and property-crime matters instead of every area of law, so the person advising you works with these files regularly and knows the local court practice.
Credentials you can verify
Every lawyer we introduce is registered with one of the Greek Bar Associations, which is compulsory in order to practise in Greece under the Code of Lawyers and Law 4194/2013.
Clear information about costs
Greek legal fees are agreed in writing with your lawyer under Article 58 of the Code of Lawyers, and free legal aid may be available under Law 3226/2004 where household income is low.
One request, several options
You describe the situation once and we approach lawyers who fit your case, your budget range and the district where the proceedings are taking place, so you can compare before deciding.
Cross-border reach
Clients contact us from across Europe
Many enquiries come from people who live outside Greece but have a case, a property or a business there. Our network covers lawyers in the main Greek districts, and we regularly help clients based elsewhere in Europe.
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a theft lawyer in Greece if the police have already questioned me?
It is worth speaking to a lawyer as soon as you are treated as a suspect or witness. A lawyer may represent and defend clients before every court, authority and public service, is bound by legal professional secrecy, and can review what was recorded before the case moves further.
Which Greek court will hear a theft case?
Criminal matters start before the Magistrates’ Courts (Eirinodikeía) or the Courts of First Instance (Protodikeía), depending on the seriousness and the applicable procedure. Appeals go to the Courts of Appeal (Efeteía). The Supreme Court (Areios Pagos) reviews only legal correctness, not the facts, so there is no third hearing on the merits.
Can I also recover money or property through the civil courts in Greece?
Yes, in principle a civil claim can be pursued alongside the criminal file, usually for damages or the return of goods. Tort claims are subject to a five-year limitation period with an absolute twenty-year limit, so it is best to have the civil position assessed at the same time as the criminal one.
How are legal fees set in Greece?
A lawyer’s fee is freely determined by written agreement with the client and may cover the whole proceedings, part of them or specific acts, under Article 58 of the Code of Lawyers. Where there is no written agreement, the statutory scale based on the value of the matter applies, and fees carry 24% VAT.
Is legal aid available for a theft case in Greece?
Free legal aid in criminal, civil and commercial cases is provided by Law 3226/2004. 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 may qualify, and a disability of 67% or more qualifies regardless of income.
I do not speak Greek. Can a lawyer handle everything for me?
Greek is the language of the courts, and filings are drafted in Greek by your representative. A Greek lawyer may act before every court, authority and public service in the country, so the file can be managed locally on your instructions while you follow progress from abroad.
Next step
Tell us what happened and we will match you
Describe your situation in a few lines — whether you are defending a criminal allegation, seeking recovery of property, or both. We will introduce you to a Greek lawyer who handles theft matters in the relevant district, free of charge and without obligation.