Despina
Lawyer · Athens, Greece
- 251 cases handled · 4 in this service
- 18+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German, Greek
- Law, Athens University of Law
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4.95(12 reviews)
Tenant & Squatter Eviction in Greece
Lawyers who recover a rented property in Greece for its owner, from the written demand to the court order for the return of the premises (διαταγή απόδοσης μισθίου) and its enforcement, and who act against people occupying a property with no lease at all.
About Tenant & Squatter Eviction in Greece
Eviction in Greece, that is evicting a tenant who does not pay or does not leave, or recovering a property from people living in it without any agreement, is a court matter: έξωση in Greek. The usual tool for a landlord is an order for the return of the leased property, the διαταγή απόδοσης μισθίου, often combined with a payment order for the unpaid rent. Occupation without a lease (κατάληψη, squatting) follows a different path. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “Eviction Services”. This page is for owners, many of them abroad, who need their Greek property back.
Two different cases
- A tenant with a lease who has stopped paying, pays late again and again, or stays after the contract has ended. The relationship is a lease, so the law on leases applies, including the statutory minimum term of a residential lease that protects the tenant for its duration.
- Occupiers with no lease: a relative who never left, a former partner, people who moved into an empty house. Here the owner sues to recover possession and may file a complaint with the police; the procedure and the evidence are different.
How an eviction for unpaid rent works
- A written demand (εξώδικο, an extrajudicial notice) is served on the tenant. Payment within the period the law sets can stop the first application, unless the delays are repeated.
- The landlord applies for the order for the return of the premises, usually together with a payment order for the arrears. A recent reform created a faster route for issuing these orders; the rules have changed more than once, and a lawyer confirms the current procedure.
- The tenant may object (ανακοπή) and ask for a short extension for a valid reason.
- If the tenant still does not leave, the order is enforced by a court bailiff.
When the lease has simply expired, the landlord gives a formal notice in advance and, if the tenant stays, applies for the order on that ground.
Points to watch
- A landlord who changes the locks or cuts the electricity himself risks claims and even criminal liability; recovery goes through the court.
- A lease that was never declared on the tax platform (myAADE) complicates the fast procedure and the proof of the arrears.
- Unpaid building charges (κοινόχρηστα) and utility bills are recovered together with the rent through debt collection.
What a lawyer does
Drafts and serves the notice, applies for the orders, represents the owner at any objection hearing, instructs the bailiff and, for an owner abroad, acts under a power of attorney. Disagreements short of eviction, such as repairs, deposits and rent increases, are on landlord and tenant disputes; a contract drafted to avoid the problem is on lease and rental contract review.
Questions and answers
Can I evict a tenant myself?
No. Only a court order can be enforced, and self-help exposes the owner to liability.
How long does it take?
It depends on the ground, on whether the tenant objects and on the court's workload. The notice periods are set by law and have changed recently; a lawyer gives a realistic timeline for your case.
Can the tenant stop the eviction by paying?
Paying the arrears after the first demand can block the application once; repeated late payment is treated differently.
Someone is living in my empty house in Greece. What can I do?
Document the occupation, file a police complaint through a lawyer and bring the court action to recover possession. Removing them yourself is not an option the law allows.
5 lawyers who provide Tenant & Squatter Eviction in Greece
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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Maria
Lawyer · Corfu, Greece
- 436 cases handled · 2 in this service
- 9+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, German, Greek, Russian
- Law, National and Capodistrian University of Athens
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4.96(35 reviews)
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Anastasia
Lawyer · Thessaloniki, Greece
- 98 cases handled · 2 in this service
- 8+ years in practice
- Speaks: French, English, Greek
- Law, Democritus University of Thrace
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5.00(4 reviews)
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Konstantinos
Lawyer · Athens, Greece
- 28 cases handled
- 11+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Greek
- Degree in Law, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens
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5.00(1 review)
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Fotis
Lawyer · Mytilene, Greece
- 11 cases handled
- 6+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Greek
- MSc in law and informatics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
Talk to a lawyer about Tenant & Squatter Eviction
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What our clients say about our service in Greece
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The lawyer is excellent. The necessary information about my case was collected and verified, she was understanding and responsive, and she explained my options and provided the appropriate solutions, in perfect English. The promised results were delivered on time. I definitely recommend her to my friends.
— Michel30 Jun 2020 -
This has been a very difficult year for my family and me, and throughout the legal process the lawyer stood by us. His service was impeccable until the very end. He advised us on the course of action that best suited our needs and dealt with every legal aspect of the case in the best possible way. I am totally satisfied with the service I got, and anyone facing a similar situation has my recommendation.
— Colin11 Mar 2024Tenant & Squatter Eviction -
I cannot thank this lawyer enough and am so grateful I found her. She answered my emails extremely quickly and dealt sympathetically with all my concerns in a highly stressful situation. I feel she was excellent value for money, and she handled a complex issue in a calm and professional way that reassured me. When something was unclear she took the time to explain it, patiently and clearly, and recommended the most appropriate course of action. I would not hesitate to recommend her.
— Alex21 Apr 2023 -
From our very first meeting the lawyer understood the situation and offered an excellent strategy going forward, which resulted in the best possible outcome. Highly recommended!
— Spencer27 Jun 2022 -
The lawyer helped me every step of the way, from a frightening set of circumstances to taking the reins and helping me considerably. I would not hesitate to ask for her help again.
— Susie27 Jun 2022 -
A highly professional and pragmatic response. Several outcomes were possible in our case, and dealing with someone who knew the relevant law in depth and also advised us with the wider picture in mind made a refreshing change. Communication was excellent, and I believe the service was good value for money. For all our future legal matters we will certainly keep asking her to represent us and act on our behalf.
— Marcus05 Jul 2021 -
The replies were kind and fast and the advice was good. If I ever need legal advice again, I will certainly contact him. I am pleased with every contact I have had, and very satisfied overall.
— Susanne25 Mar 2021 -
The lawyer was extremely helpful, and no request was too much trouble. He is very friendly as well, and his manner puts you at ease at once. I would use him again, and my sister is also a client of his. Anyone looking for a lawyer fluent in English and Spanish (and Italian) who handles legal matters professionally and without delay should get in touch with him, and I strongly recommend doing so.
— Suzanne28 Oct 2020 -
Very relaxed, not uptight, and all very good.
— Raymond18 Sep 2020 -
Confident, articulate, concise and polite. I have used eleven lawyers so far, and all of them pale beside him. One of my cases lasted 12 years, so I think I know a little about this gloomy trade. The best rise to the surface. I am happy, thank you.
— Wayne01 Sep 2020 -
The lawyer is a true professional: super efficient and completely fluent in English. He helped me with a difficult legal matter, took all the stress out of the situation and provided a pragmatic path to resolution, which is precisely what you need from a lawyer. The service I received was first class, and I cannot think of any area that could have been improved.
— Tony05 Aug 2020 -
The lawyer gave an excellent service throughout. In our first phone consultation she set out our legal position and options clearly. She then handled the resolution of our property dispute efficiently and updated us regularly by e-mail. We are very satisfied with the result and would definitely recommend her to friends.
— jake01 Jun 2020