Legal support

general information

“The law protects anyone who can hire a good lawyer” - in general, this ironic statement reflects the true state of affairs, especially when it comes to a foreign country. It is also true for Greece: purchasing real estate, obtaining a residence permit, registering a TIN or opening a bank account - these and many other issues require the help of a competent specialist, ideally speaking not only Greek, but also the language of the client.
Legal support in Greece for foreign citizens can be divided into three categories: registration of a real estate purchase and sale transaction, legal services of a general nature and related services. Let's consider each of them in more detail.

Purchase and sale of real estate

In matters of real estate acquisition it is difficult to do without the help of a lawyer, and the purchase and sale of real estate in Greece requires his participation, at least at some stages. Buying a house in Greece is a complex process, taking place in several stages , among which a separate place is occupied by the registration of the AFM (the Greek analogue of the TIN), opening an account in a Greek bank and checking the legal purity of real estate.

Accompaniment of the purchase and sale transaction

It is better to enlist the help of a lawyer at the stage of selecting real estate. In this case, having found a suitable option, you can immediately draw up an agreement and make a deposit, thus booking the object you like. And of course, it is easier for any specialist to conduct a transaction from beginning to end in order to be able to thoroughly study the issue and bear full responsibility for its successful registration.

Assistance in opening TIN and bank account

After choosing a property, you need to issue a TIN in Greece and open a bank account in your name. This can be done within one day, provided that all the necessary documents are available (go to the “required documents” block of the “Real Estate Tour” article). Registration of TIN and opening of an account in a Greek bank are necessary conditions for the subsequent conclusion of a contract of sale.

Legal due diligence of real estate in Greece

At the stage of real estate verification, you need the help of a lawyer who checks the object you have chosen for the absence of possible encumbrances - in particular, mortgages, pledges, guarantees, third-party rights, as well as the correct execution of title documents, the absence of violations during construction, etc. The procedure takes up to 2 business days.

Legal support in Greece

General legal services include any questions that may arise in connection with temporary or permanent residence in Greece. These include, first of all, obtaining a residence permit for various reasons, however, with permanent residence in the country, you may encounter other issues that require the intervention of a specialist.

Registration of a residence permit

Perhaps the most pressing issue for most foreigners is the grounds on which they could legally reside in the territory of a foreign state. In the case of the acquisition of real estate, it can serve as the basis for obtaining the so-called "golden" residence permit , and is also taken into account when obtaining a residence permit for a financially independent person . Each type of residence permit has its own package of documents and grounds for obtaining. A competent specialist will help you analyze your situation and choose the best option.

Legal entity registration services

The Greek state provides foreign citizens with the opportunity to register a new one in the country or invest in an existing Greek business, for which a separate type of residence permit is even provided. Of course, the registration of a legal entity in Greece by a foreigner has its own specifics. Thus, only foreign citizens who have a residence permit for entrepreneurial activities receive full rights. In other cases, the procedure for the participation of a foreigner in a particular enterprise is limited both in terms of the organizational and legal form of the enterprise, and the powers of the specified person. Therefore, before registering a business in Greece, it is necessary to resolve the issue of a residence permit.

Protection of interests in court and state structures

Unfortunately, none of us is immune from the situation when we have to act as a party to a dispute in various state structures, and sometimes turn to the judiciary for help. In a foreign country, such situations are complicated by ignorance of the language and legislation of the country. When seeking professional help, it is especially important to choose a specialist who would speak the same language with you in order to be able to explain all the nuances and keep you up to date.

Accompanying services

Finally, related services include services that are at the intersection of jurisprudence and concierge . There are situations when a lawyer can act as a translator, mediate in negotiations with the seller, perform real estate functions, answering certain questions about the property you are interested in, etc. In such cases, the help of a specialist is doubly useful, because in any of the listed issues knowledge of Greek law is a significant advantage, and sometimes it is simply necessary.

Translation services

As a rule, a lawyer acts as an interpreter in situations where the client is at the stage of choosing a property, vehicle or boat. When inspecting objects, it is often difficult to do without additional explanations from the seller or his representative, and therefore the lawyer takes on the function of an interpreter, acting as an intermediary in negotiations between the parties.

Buying a car or yacht

Buying a car or a yacht in a foreign country is difficult to imagine without the intervention of an experienced lawyer. In these cases, the specialist not only deals with the legal side of the transaction, but also assists in the implementation of related tasks: checking the history of the vehicle / boat, passing the technical inspection, obtaining numbers, obtaining insurance, etc.

Free consultation

Thinking about buying a property in Greece? Are you interested in construction or residence permit? Ask us a question and leave your phone or email. Our specialist will contact you within an hour for a consultation.

Elena Dolmenidi
real estate agent