Technology law · Greece
Find a technology lawyer in Greece for your IT and data matters
Software, licensing, data and e-commerce questions have to be answered against Greek codified law and, if they escalate, before the Greek courts. We match you with a lawyer who already works on these matters. You describe the problem once; we take care of the introduction.
- Lawyers who handle IT, software and commercial contracts in Greece
- Clear background on Greek courts, limitation periods and costs
- Free matching, no obligation to instruct
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The market
Technology law in Greece: what clients actually face
A technology lawyer in Greece advises on the contracts and disputes that surround software, data and online services. Greek law is codified: the Civil Code of 1946, the Code of Civil Procedure, the Commercial Code and the Constitution of 1975 are the primary sources, and the Supreme Court (Areios Pagos) works towards a uniform interpretation of the statutes rather than creating binding precedent. In practice, an IT, licensing, distribution or data question is analysed against written provisions, and contractual or commercial disputes sit inside the ordinary civil jurisdiction. Bar Association membership is compulsory, so every lawyer acting for you is registered in a local Bar. We match you with a lawyer who handles technology work.
Greece in practice
How technology matters are handled within the Greek legal system
Technology work in Greece is not judged in a vacuum: it is decided by the ordinary courts applying codified statutes, with the Supreme Court supervising the uniform interpretation of the law. The points below set out the framework that shapes a Greek technology file, from who may practise to the time limits and the cost structure.
A codified, continental legal order
Greek law follows the continental model and rests on codified statutes rather than binding judicial precedent. The Civil Code (Astikós Kódikas) entered into force on 23 February 1946 and is now codified by Presidential Decree 456/1984, alongside the Code of Civil Procedure, the Commercial Code and the Constitution of 1975. IT, licensing and services contracts are therefore read against written provisions.
Who may practise law in Greece
Bar Association membership is compulsory in order to practise. Under Article 4 of Law 4194/2013 (the Code of Lawyers), a person becomes a dikigóros after passing the nationwide bar examinations, obtaining a ministerial appointment published in the Government Gazette, taking the statutory oath and being entered in a Bar register. Article 1 describes the lawyer as a public functionary bound by professional secrecy.
Which court hears a commercial or IT dispute
Greece has three jurisdictions: civil, criminal and administrative. Civil claims begin before the Magistrates’ Courts (Eirinodikeía) or the Courts of First Instance (Protodikeía), with appeals heard by the Courts of Appeal (Efeteía). The Court of Cassation (Areios Pagos) reviews only legal correctness and does not re-examine the facts; its six civil chambers cover contractual and commercial matters. Greek is the language of proceedings.
Time limits that shape technology claims
The Civil Code sets limitation periods that matter when a contract, licence or service goes wrong. The general period for civil claims is 20 years; commercial, professional-fee and periodic claims are limited to 5 years, and tort claims to 5 years with a 20-year absolute limit. Identifying the correct period early is often what separates a live claim from a lost one.
Costs, fees and legal aid
Court fees are set by statute: a proportional judicial stamp duty of 4 or 8 per mille on the value of the claim, plus a 30% surcharge for the TAXDIK fund. A lawyer’s fee is freely agreed in writing; absent an agreement the statutory scale applies. Fees carry 24% VAT. Free legal aid exists under Law 3226/2004 for low-income applicants and for people with a disability of 67% or more.
Cross-border elements and EU instruments
As an EU Member State, Greece applies EU regulations directly. In succession law, for instance, Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 governs cross-border estates, allows a testator to choose the law of their nationality and recognises the European Certificate of Succession. For technology clients the point is practical: cross-border contracts and EU-based rules are handled by Greek lawyers before Greek courts and authorities.
All country-specific statements on this page are drawn from official Greek sources, Greek ministries and the European e-Justice Portal, consulted in 2025.
- European e-Justice Portal – National justice systems: Greece
- Plenary of the Presidents of the Greek Bar Associations (Oloméleia)
- Athens Bar Association – the status of the lawyer (Code of Lawyers, Law 4194/2013)
- Greek Civil Code – Ministry of Justice
- European e-Justice Portal – Costs of proceedings in Greece
- European e-Justice Portal – Divorce and legal separation in Greece
- European e-Justice Portal – Succession in Greece
- Greek Ministry of Labour – Individual employment relations: FAQ on dismissal
- Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) – Inheritance tax for non-residents
- AADE – Tax obligations arising from loss of life
Common situations
When a Greek technology lawyer becomes necessary
These are the moments when clients start looking for a practice that understands both technology and Greek procedural law.
Your IT contract says one thing, the other side another
Software, licensing and services agreements often mix Greek and foreign law references. Before positions harden, a Greek lawyer can read the contract against the Civil Code and the Commercial Code and tell you where you stand.
A dispute is moving towards the Greek courts
If a claim is heading to a Court of First Instance or a Court of Appeal, the proceedings are in Greek and the limitation period may be short. You need a lawyer who is a member of a Greek Bar Association.
You cannot tell who really handles technology work
Many practices describe themselves as commercial. Fewer work daily with software licensing, data questions and online services. The matching service compares your matter with the practices that actually take this work in Athens, Thessaloniki, Piraeus, Patras, Heraklion and beyond.
Why clients use the service
How we help you find the right Greek practice
We are not a law firm. We are the shortest route to one that fits your matter.
A lawyer qualified in Greece
Every lawyer we match holds compulsory membership of a Greek Bar Association, as required by the Code of Lawyers, and is bound by legal professional secrecy. You know who is acting for you and where they are registered.
Grounded in Greek codified law
Your matter is assessed against the Civil Code, the Commercial Code and the Code of Civil Procedure, not against vague generalities. You get a clear picture of the statutory framework, the competent court and the time limits that apply.
Clear information on costs
Court fees are set by statute and lawyers’ fees are agreed in writing, with the statutory scale as a fallback. The first conversation covers how fees are structured, what VAT applies and whether legal aid could be relevant.
One request, matched quickly
You describe the matter once. We compare it with practices that handle technology and commercial work in Greece and pass it to the most suitable one. Matching is free and you decide whether to instruct.
Across Europe
Countries connected to Greek technology files
We also work with clients and lawyers across Europe. If your technology matter touches more than one jurisdiction, these are the countries most often linked to Greek files.
Questions
Technology law in Greece: frequently asked questions
What does a technology lawyer in Greece actually do?
In Greece a lawyer (dikigóros) provides legal advice and opinions and represents clients before every court, authority and public service. On technology matters that typically means drafting and reviewing IT, licensing and services contracts and handling contractual or commercial disputes arising from them. The work is analysed against codified Greek law, principally the Civil Code and the Commercial Code.
Do I need a lawyer qualified in Greece, or can someone from abroad represent me?
Membership of a Greek Bar Association is compulsory in order to practise law in Greece. Under Article 4 of the Code of Lawyers, a lawyer is admitted after the nationwide bar examinations, a ministerial appointment published in the Government Gazette, the statutory oath and entry in a Bar register. Court proceedings are conducted in Greek.
How long do I have to bring a technology-related claim in Greece?
The Civil Code distinguishes between categories of claims. General civil claims are subject to a 20-year period, while commercial, professional-fee and periodic claims are limited to 5 years and tort claims to 5 years with a 20-year absolute limit. Because the correct period depends on how the claim is characterised, a Greek lawyer should assess it promptly.
How are court costs and lawyers’ fees calculated in Greece?
Court fees are statutory: a proportional judicial stamp duty of 4 or 8 per mille on the value of the claim, plus a 30% surcharge for the TAXDIK fund. A lawyer’s fee is freely agreed in writing, and where no agreement exists the statutory scale applies. Fees carry 24% VAT. Public entities and legal-aid recipients are exempt from court fees.
Where would an IT or software dispute be heard in Greece?
Civil claims begin before the Magistrates’ Courts (Eirinodikeía) or the Courts of First Instance (Protodikeía), with appeals to the Courts of Appeal (Efeteía). The Court of Cassation (Areios Pagos) reviews only the legal correctness of lower decisions and does not re-examine the facts; its six civil chambers include contractual and commercial matters.
Can I obtain legal aid in Greece for a technology or commercial dispute?
Free legal aid under Law 3226/2004 covers criminal, civil and commercial cases. Low-income applicants qualify where annual family income does not exceed two thirds of the minimum annual personal income set by the National General Collective Labour Agreement, and persons with a disability of 67% or more qualify regardless of income. EU citizens and lawfully resident third-country nationals may also qualify.
Next step
Tell us about your technology matter in Greece
Describe your contract, licence, data or e-commerce issue in a few lines. We review the request and match you with a Greek lawyer who handles technology work. Matching is free and there is no obligation to instruct.