International law in Greece: transactions, opening a bank account, donations, etc.

The main specialization of LARISA GEORGIADI Law Firm is international law, addressing the legal regulations of Greece and facilitating the participation of foreign nationals in civil and commercial relationships within the EU and Greece. This includes procedures such as marriage or divorce registration, drafting purchase-sale agreements, and more.

If one of the spouses is a foreign national, the procedure for registering such civil acts differs significantly from when both parties are Greek residents. For non-residents, specific certificates must be issued, Apostilles applied, and documents translated, which may introduce complexities and challenges.

Real Estate and Leasing Services

• Drafting lease agreements for commercial or residential use.
• Providing legal services to property owners and landlords.
• Protecting the rights and interests of tenants.
• Drafting agreements for amendments or revisions to existing lease contracts.
• Representing parties in court disputes between landlords and tenants.
• Drafting lease agreements with local government entities, including handling tender procedures and terms of agreements.

Creditor Rights and Claims

• Judicial Satisfaction of Creditor Claims for Securities: Handling checks, promissory notes, invoices, and bills.
• Application for Payment Orders: Implementing procedural measures such as sequestration.
• Filing lawsuits in competent courts to seek compensation for damages.
• Submitting claims and representation with the Credit Bureau (Tiresias).

Debtor Legal Support

• Court representation for debtors.
• Filing objections, petitions for postponements, or appeals against payment orders.
• Taking legal actions to protect the rights of debtors within the Credit Bureau (Tiresias).

Family Law

• Handling divorces and drafting private agreements between parents regarding child custody, alimony payments, and visitation schedules.
• Collecting monthly alimony from the obligated party.
• Protecting the interests of economically weaker spouses by asserting legal claims for participation in shared income.
• Pursuing alimony for spousal support.
• Performing post-divorce legal actions, including documentation for the dissolution of religious marriages and representation before church and state authorities.

Gifts and Donations

• Consultation on drafting donation agreements.
• Legal review of property status and encumbrances through the Greek Mortgage and Land Registry.
• Representation in tax services and tax payments.
• Registration of civil acts.
• Legal advice on tax regimes and current legislation related to real estate acquisition.

Inheritance Law

• Filing applications and obtaining certificates of unpublished wills.
• Publication and official recognition of wills.
• Issuance of inheritance certificates.
• Accepting inheritance via notarial or judicial proceedings.
• Renouncing inheritance rights.
• Filing inheritance tax declarations and payment assistance.
• Legal consultations on applicable tax regimes and legislation.

Legal Aid Services

• Legal aid framework: eligibility, risks, and benefits.
• Filing applications for legal aid.
• Appointment of temporary or permanent legal guardians.

Adoption

• Representation of adoptive parents and official representatives.
• Adoption procedures in the civil court of Greece.

Criminal Law Representation

• Review and analysis of criminal case materials.
• Representation in criminal court proceedings.
• Defense of the accused.
• Filing motions to criminal courts for installment payment of fines imposed as a substitute for imprisonment.
• Petitions to substitute imprisonment with community service in cases where the convicted party cannot pay fines either in full or in installments.

Appeals Regarding Travel Restrictions and Schengen Information System Listings

• Filing applications for removal from the National List of Undesirable Persons and the Schengen Information System Database.
• Requesting access to personal information and filing objections with the Ministry of Citizen Protection in cases of inclusion in these lists.

Criminal Records

• Collecting required documents and filing applications for a certificate of criminal record clearance or general-purpose criminal record through the Prosecutor’s Office or Citizen Service Centers (KEP).

Recognition of Foreign Court Decisions

• Validating a foreign divorce certificate for recognition within Greece.
• Recognition of final judgments issued by foreign courts as valid under Greek jurisdiction.

Real Estate

• Legal verification of property status and identification of encumbrances through the Greek Mortgage and Land Registry services.
• Collaboration with technical personnel, contractors, and engineers on construction and technical matters.
• Assistance in opening a bank account with a Greek financial institution.
• Representation of the client before relevant services and business partners.
• Representation in tax services, tax payment processing, and filing declarations.
• Registration of notarial acts.
• Legal consultation on tax regulations and applicable laws related to real estate acquisition.

Compensation for Damages

• Defamation of Character.
• Commission of a Civil Offense.
• Breach of Contractual Terms.
• Failure to Fulfill Contractual Obligations.

Credit Debts of Individuals

• Representing debtors in negotiations with banks to achieve pre-litigation settlements.
• Collecting necessary documents and certificates for resolving individual credit debts in compliance with current legislation.
• Drafting and filing petitions for individual debt settlement under Greek Law No. 3869/2010 and subsequent amendments with the competent court’s secretariat.
• Representing debtors in court to obtain temporary rulings for interim debt settlement, valid until final adjudication.
• Representing debtors during the final hearing of the debt settlement petition.

Banking Matters

• Informing clients about laws regarding non-seizable funds held in personal or joint bank accounts.
• Legal guidance on joint deposit accounts, shared participation, tax regulations, and exemptions.

International Law and Related Transactions

International law governs relationships between states and international organizations. In Greece, various transactions, such as opening bank accounts or executing legally significant actions, require specific legal documentation and procedures.

For instance:

• Bank Account Opening: Foreign nationals may need to provide a passport or another valid identification document, as well as evidence of the source of funds being deposited into the account.
• Donation Agreements: Legal formalities, such as drafting notarial deeds or other documentation depending on the nature of the transaction, must be adhered to.

In any case, for conducting legally significant actions in Greece, consulting a law firm specializing in international law is strongly recommended.

Contact LARISA GEORGIADI Law Firm for professional legal assistance tailored to your needs in Greece.