The Kytherian, June 16, 2012

The trip to Kythera has inspired and still does, many throughout the centuries. This destination has been the “oistros” for poets, painters, directors etc. The island  has been the birthplace of the ancient goddess of beauty, Aphrodite,  the hideout of Paris and Helen upon their escape from Sparta and the inspiration of the famous painting of Vato, while the Trip to Kythera is considered as a synonym of the unexpected,  the unique and the ideal. It is also the dream of those originating from Kythera, who are always looking for a way to return back and visit the island.

If you travel there this summer and while enjoying the beauties of the island and rejoining with family and friends, you should also look into your legal matters there towards securing your legal interests and avoiding the unexpected.

The first thing you would need to confirm and verify would be the legal status of your properties. The provisions of Greek Law regarding the transfer of ownership, constitute the title search as an indispensable step towards determining and claiming ownership rights on a property.

Hence, in case  you:

1. are not in possession of the Deeds of the properties that you are entitled to; or
2.  you are not in possession of the Deed’s certificates of registration from the Ypothikofylakeion; or
3. in case that you believe that someone has taken advantage of the fact that you are a foreign resident and has raised a claim against you and your assets; or
4.  you are not sure what is happening, to which properties and to what percentage you are entitled to,

the only solution would be to proceed with a title search before the Land Registry, verify that your ownership titles have been duly recorded to the Land Registry and that your property is free from any claim, lien, mortgage, seizure, lawsuit, or any encumbrances; or in case that nothing has been recorded or the entries are erroneous, proceed with the necessary legal actions towards amending the Deeds and any deficiencies. Note that title searches can be effected exclusively by lawyers.

In furtherance to the above, the island of Kythera has been proclaimed under registration to the Hellenic National Cadastre (Ethniko Ktimatologio) since January 2010. Although the relevant deadline for submission of the required documentation has not been set yet, when this happens, owners of properties in Kythera, will be called to submit their relevant documentation (Deeds, drawings, certificates of registration, certificates of Greek Tax File Number) along with the relevant application. Hence, we recommend to:

1. perfect your Title; and
2. obtain copies of all required documents; and
3. proceed with a topographic diagram of your property, according to the national co-ordinates system and including building regulations,

in order to be ready for their submission when the relevant deadline is set

Another important issue you would need to take care of would be your tax liabilities. Pursuant to income tax law, each person who has acquired property in Greece is liable to submit E-9 tax statement. The submission of E-9 tax statements was compulsory for every person holding ownership rights for the fiscal years 2005 and 2008, while for the current fiscal year (and for all other fiscal years except 2005 and 2008), liable to submission of E-9 tax statements is among others, every person who acquired ownership rights (full ownership, naked ownership, life estate or right of residing on a property) either in full or in undivided interest on real estate properties in Greece within the previous year and every person whose property status has changed within the previous fiscal year.

Finally, beware of the adverse possession (“hrisiktisia”). Foreign residents usually assign the management of their properties to a local power of attorney, in order to cultivate, clean, exploit, reside to the properties and defend them from trespassers. In order to avoid any future surprises and any claims, it would be advisable, while being in Kythera, to execute an agreement of lease or of a free usage of the property, confirming in writing the terms of your agreement with your caretaker and/ or tenant, just to verify that no one will take advantage of your physical absence. Remember, scripta mannent verba volent! (words fly, it is the written that remain!)

Finally, one last issue is old Powers of Attorney to people that they are no longer representing you. As their revocation is not effected automatically neither orally, law requires the execution of a Revocation Act before a Notary Public and its service to the grantee. If this representation is not further required, revoke it.

So, why not take advantage of your trip to Kythera and dedicate some time to secure your interests there and protect the land that your ancestors have granted you with?

See you in Kythera in July!

OPA Magazine, May 19, 2012

The E-9 is a tax statement form through which the tax payer declares his/ her ownership rights on real estate properties in Greece. Such property tax statements have been submitted  in the past together with the income tax statements (E-1, E-2, etc..) before the competent Tax Authority, while for the current fiscal year, the relevant Ruling of the Greek Ministry of Economics provides that the E-9 tax statement can be filed only electronically (unless specific exclusions apply), through the Ministry’ official web submission system (“taxisnet”) by the end of July 2012.

The submission of E-9 tax statements has been compulsory for every person holding ownership rights for the fiscal years 2005 and 2008, while for the current fiscal year (and for all other fiscal years except 2005 and 2008), the following persons should file  E-9 forms:

• Every person or legal entity who acquired (through inheritance, purchase, parental gift etc) ownership rights [(full ownership (“kiriotis”), naked ownership (“psili kiriotis”), life estate (“epikarpia”) or right of residing on a property (“oikisi”)] either in full or in an undivided interest on real estate properties in Greece within the previous year.
• Every person or legal entity whose property status has changed within the year 2011 (e.g. sold some property).
• Every person whose family status, as declared to the previous E-9 tax statements, has changed (e.g. married).
• Every protected member of the family (i.e. children), who is liable to the submission of income tax statements and whose property status has changed within the year 2011.

Hence, any person or legal entity whose property status has changed within the year 2011, is liable to declare such change to the E-9 tax statement of the current fiscal year. Liable to the submission of such tax forms is not only the person who acquires the property, but also the person who conveys, gifts, bequests his ownership rights on real estate properties in Greece. For the deceased, the E-9 tax forms are filed by his/ her heirs.

The E-9 tax statement can be filed either by the tax payer in person or in case of a foreign resident through his appointed representatives. Should the relevant form be filed electronically, the relevant serial code must first be obtained by the competent Tax Authority.

All the above procedures can be accomplished through a Limited Power of Attorney to a specialized lawyer

OPA Magazine, May 1, 2012

Any natural person, receiving income in Greece is obliged to submit income tax statements there, regardless of his nationality or his residence, as long as his or his spouse’s annual income exceeds the amount of 3.000 € or, even where his income is less than the amount of 3.000 €, if this income includes losses from agricultural or commercial activity. However, subject to the submission of income tax statements in Greece is any natural person who is subject to income tax only for the income that derives in Greece (regardless of the total amount of income).

Foreign residents are taxed for the income that is received in Greece. In general, foreign residents are taxed under the same provisions as Greek residents, with several particularities applying for them. Therefore, obliged to file income tax statements in Greece, are people who may reside abroad, but receive income in Greece, actual or presumed (i.e. from purchase of properties, from building constructions, purchase of cars of high value in Greece, purchase of boats, etc..), when their annual income is over €3,000 for the specific financial year.

Regardless of receiving actual income in Greece, foreigners/Greeks residing abroad are obliged to file income statements in case that they:

• received income from leasing real estate property in Greece and their income is over €600per year;
• acquired real estate properties in Greece or raised buildings;
• run their own business in Greece;
• purchased cars, boats etc in Greece;
• are members of a partnership (personal company); of a limited liability company; a joint venture; or a   company of the Greek Civil Code which practices in Greece;
• are called to file income tax statements, upon the invitation of the Director of the  competent Tax Authority;
• own in Greece one or more secondary residences;
• have acquired rights of full or naked ownership/remainder (“psili kiriotis”) or right of life estate  (“epikarpia”) or  right of residence (“oikisi”) on real estate properties within Greece.

The deadline for the submission of income tax statements for the current year (2012) expires on June 15, 2012.

OPA Magazine, May 1, 2012

According to Greek Inheritance law, the bequest of the deceased’s property to his/her legal heirs is effected  in two ways: by virtue of a Will or in intestacy.

Greek Law provides three types of Wills: The Public Will, the Secret Will and the Holographic Will. The Holographic is the easiest and cheapest Will, written entirely by the hand of the testator, who must include the word “Will”, its date and signs same, verifying its content. The Testator is not required to follow any type of formality towards drafting a holographic Will, other than to state to the document his wish for the bequest of his Estate upon his passing. In fact, according to Greek Law, the holographic Will can be in a form of a private document or of a letter, showing the last will of the Testator.

Since the Holographic Will has to be written entirely by the hand of the testator, it is implied that it is void, if it is written through mechanical means, i.e. through a computer, a typewriter, a tape.

Is the handwritten Will required to be drafted in Greek? No,  Holographic Wills can be written in any language, provided that the Testator was aware of that language and was able to express himself.

Any addition in the side of the will or any postscripts have to be signed by the Testator, otherwise, they are not taken into account. Any erasures or any deletions are noted by the Probate Court and given their importance can result to the partial or total nullification of the Will. In general, Greek law forbids the interference of third parties to the drafting of the holographic Will, in case that it is implied from the content of the Will that the Testator was not able to express his own free will in the document.

The holographic Will has to include the date when it was drafted, an indispensable requirement especially if the testator has left more than one Wills (the most recent supersedes any earlier, if in conflict) . Finally, the signature of the Will is also required to be placed at the end of the Will, under the Testator’ s own handwriting and not through seals, stamps or any other mechanical means, in order to cover the entire content of the Will.

After its drafting,  the Will should be handed to a trusted person in order to take care of its probate after the testator’s passing

Finally, it should be noted that when there is property in Greece, the drafting of a Greek Will (according to the Greek Law) is strongly recommended.

OPA Magazine, March 16, 2012

In an attempt to increase the revenues of the Greek State and decrease the Public Debt, the Greek Ministry of Economics established the imposition of a special fee imposed on power supplied buildings. Although this fee was initially imposed for the year 2011, the increased revenues that the Greek State has received, made the Greek Ministry decide to start collecting the fee on a more permanent basis. Thus, the Special Fee on power supplied buildings (officially called as E.E.T.H.D.E., but also referred as “haratsi”) will be imposed for the year 2012 and most likely for the following years.

How is this fee collected? The Greek Ministry has decided the collection of the fee through the power supply corporation (D.E.H.) bills and its collection for year 2011 in two equal installments (as the law came into force on October 3, 2011) and in four equal installments for year 2012. Hence, the power supply bills include since October 2011 not only the electricity consumption, the Municipal Taxes and Public Television fees, but also the new Special Fee on Properties.

Liable to pay the new Tax is the person who owns the property and/ or the one who uses and occupies it (i.e. the life estate owner, the “epikarpotis”). In cases of joint ownership on a property, all joint owners are liable to the payment of the fee, each according to his share of co-ownership on the property.  However, if the property is rented, the tenant, who receives the power supply bill, pays the Special Fee, with the charges connected to the power supply bill, but may set off and deduct the amount corresponding to this special fee from the monthly rent.

How the fee is calculated? The fee is calculated based on the size of the power supplied building (apartment, shop, storage room), the tax value of the area where the property is located, the antiquity of the property, and these details are presented on the Power Supply bill.

Are all properties liable to payment of the Special fee? Not all. Law provides that the special fee is imposed on properties with buildings used either as residences or for commercial use (i.e. shops, offices, etc), which on September 17, 2011 had power supply either from the Public Electricity Company (D.E.H.) or from other suppliers. Hence, from the above special fee are  mainly exempted: the properties of the Greek State, properties of the Greek Church or properties of other religions used for religious or for charitable services, properties used by legal entities for educational, religious, artist, charitable causes, properties of sport unions, properties of foreign States, used as Embassies or Consulates, properties that on September 17, 2011 did not have power supply, communal spaces of buildings, archaeological or historical monuments, plots with no buildings. A deduction from the above tax is also provided on properties used as primary residences, in case their owners are unemployed or have serious health problems.

Failure to pay this Special Fee through the power supply bill, may result to its forwarding to the competent Tax Authority for its collection and to the disconnection of the power supply, within a number of days (as per a previous ruling, within 80 days) after the power supply bill is due and payable.

Although the collection of  the “haratsi” through the electricity bills is highly legally contested, it should be paid and not avoided.

OPA Magazine, February 14, 2012

One of the greatest problems that the Greek State encounters and has not resolved yet, is the problem of unauthorized constructions, i.e. constructions on buildings without obtaining a proper building permit from the competent Zone Plan Authority or by exceeding the provisions of the building permit.

In an attempt to resolve the matter, a new law (4014/2011) has come into force from the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change. Properties with unauthorized constructions built before July 28, 2011 not falling under the exemptions provided therein (constructions built before 1955, “legalized” through previous laws, properties built in forests, by the beaches, in archeological sites, etc…) can be “legalized” for a period of 30 years.

This law grants to owners the opportunity to legalize the unauthorized constructions by following a specific procedure:

• Use the services of a civil engineer, who, upon inspection of the property, will verify the unauthorized construction (without or by deviating from the building permit).
• Submit an application with the civil engineer’s report through the Ministry’s web page.
• Pay the fee for legalization which arises from 500€ to 6.000 €, depending on the size of the unauthorized constructions. The above steps have to be fulfilled by February 28, 2012.
  • The civil engineer needs to submit the entire documentation file (drawings, deeds, E-9 tax statements, etc…) by March 31, 2012 in order for the legalization to be effected and the final penalty to be determined. Payment of the penalty can be effected in up to 48 monthly installments.

Upon submission, a certificate of settlement of unauthorized construction is issued.

What happens if someone decides not to proceed with the legalization of the unauthorized constructions? Except for the penalties of construction and maintenance of unauthorized constructions that the owner has to pay if the competent Authority discovers the construction, the law sets a severe prohibition on conveyances effected after September 21, 2011:  any conveyance of properties (with exemptions, such as the acceptance of inheritance deed) with unauthorized constructions or constructions with a change of usage (e.g. when a storage room is used as a residence), is void and invalid. In order for the Greek State to control such conveyances, it is provided that the Notary Public who executes the conveyance Deed is obliged to request and attach to the Deed a certificate from a civil engineer that there are no unauthorized constructions on the property and in case there are, a certificate that these are exempted from the above law or have been legalized according to its provisions.

So, our suggestion is: declare it now and save it!

January 2012

Mr. J. Tripidakis’ interview on ERT World Australia.

January 2012

Mr. J. Tripidakis has been elected as the Secretary of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand during the National Conference of January 2012 in Sydney.

January 7, 2012

OPA Magazine, November 22, 2011

The acquisition of the Greek/European Passport by Australia born Greeks, can be motivated by moral, social or economic reasons. It gives them the unique privilege of free movement, establishment, labour and enjoyment of social benefits in 26 different countries and a 480.000.000 people market. Notwithstanding the benefits, all males from 18 through 45 years of age acquiring the Greek Passport, could create military obligations for themselves. Let us examine these in detail.

According to articles 6 and 7 of L. 3421/2005, the duration of the military service in Greece is 9 months. Some categories of citizens, including permanent foreign residents are entitled to a reduced military service of 6 months.

But who is considered to be a permanent foreign resident according to Greek Law? According to by Law 3421/2005:

• Anyone who has his primary and permanent residence abroad for at least eleven consecutive years in one or more countries and
• Anyone whose center of business activity and residency is abroad for at least seven consecutive years in one or more countries.

In fact, article 6 of Law 3421/2005 states that those who belong to the first category of permanent foreign residents, may be dismissed from the Armed Forces by completing three months military service, i.e. at half the time. The only condition is that the said citizen is born and raised abroad. Therefore, a Greek Australian who was born in Australia and has grown up here, is bound in three-month military service.

However, the beginning of the military service is postponed for as long as foreign residents retain their residence abroad. In practice, this means that as long as a Greek Australian lives abroad (e.g. in Australia), his obligation is continuously postponed, until the time that he reaches the 45^th year of age, at which time he is lawfully and permanently dismissed .

The loss of the said foreign residency status occurs either by deportation to Greece, or by exceeding the period of six months residency in Greece during the same year. This naturally implies the obligation for enlisting in the army.

It is noteworthy however that if a foreign resident wants to come to study in Greece, the years of studying are calculated as time spent abroad. In case of non-completion of the studies, the foreign resident is able to stay in Greece until he becomes 28 years old. If he remains in Greece for longer than six months after his 28^th birthday, then he must enlist in the Army.

Anyone can voluntarily disrupt the postponement of enlisting in order to fulfill his military duties in case he wants to come and live in Greece.

Finally, it should be noted that the above are general legal provisions. For every specific case prior legal advice should be sought.

OPA Magazine, October 17, 2011

Q: What is a parental gift?

A : In essence it is a gift from parents to their children. One of the fundamental principles of Greek Civil and Tax Law, is the protection of the family and the supply of adequate assets to children from their parents in order to assist them towards the creation or the maintenance of their own family or their financial independence, or business set up.

Q: How is it effected ?

A: Orally, unless real estate property is included, in which case the execution of a Notarial Deed (Simvoleografiko eggrafo) is necessary – by both parties, as well as its subsequent registration in the competent archives of the competent Land Registry (Ypothikofilakeion) and/or Land Registry Cadastral (Ktimatologio) of the property’s location.

Q: Can I request a parental gift from my parents?

A: Greek Law regulates Greek Parental Gifts favourably. However, in no way, the children have the right to demand such parental gift, by claiming the gift through court proceedings.

Q: Is there a favourable tax treatment for parental gifts?

A: Yes,  a parental gift is not taxable if the (tax) value does not exceed 150.000 €. If the value of the property exceeds 150.000 €, then the tax escalates from 1% up to 10% of the value above this limit. Tax payment may be made in 12 equal instalments. Each instalment cannot be less than 500 €.

Q: What is this “tax value” that the parental gift tax is calculated upon?

A: Pre-set values that the Greek Tax Authority has indexed almost all real properties in Greece. Usually it is lower, if not much lower than their actual market value.

Q: Can a parental gift be revoked?

A: Yes, in case the grantee has proven to be ungrateful toward the grantor or to the grantor’s spouse or to any other of his close relatives and especially, if he has not fulfilled his obligation to provide support to the grantor. Such revocation is only performed through a statement of the grantor to the grantee. The revocation is excluded in case that the grantor has forgiven the grantee, or if a year has passed since the time that the grantor became aware of the reason for revocation, without proceeding with same. Finally, the revocation of the Greek Parental Gift, is prohibited when the gift has been performed due to legal or moral obligation.

Q: I want to proceed with a parental gift to my daughter, but I wish to keep the right to collect the rents. Can this be done?

A: Yes, you may convey only the remainder [or naked ownership (‘’psili kiriotita’’)] and for you to keep the life estate (‘’epikarpia’’). In this case:

1. The parent retains the right to use and enjoy the property for as long as he lives
2. The child pays less tax since the taxable value of the parental gift is lower.
3. After the death of the parent, the naked ownership (‘’psili kiriotita’’) of the child, will automatically unite with the life estate (‘’epikarpia’’)  in full ownership, without the probate of the estate or any other procedure required.

Q: What are the relevant costs involved?

A: The costs include the tax, the notary public’s etc fees and the cost for the registration of the Deed at the Land Registry. They can all be calculated before-hand so you have a clear picture of all  the necessary expenses

Q: If I convey my property in Greece to my children through  a parental gift, do I have to draft a Will (for my Greek property) as well?

A: No, your children will acquire Title at this stage and thus you will save them from greater suffering, confusion and tax complications  in the future.

Q: My children and myself live in Australia. How can a parental gift to them of my property in Greece be effected?

A: It may be accomplished through a limited Power of Attorney to a specialised Greek lawyer, like our Greek firm.

OPA Magazine, October 7, 2011

Ownership on real estate property in Greece can be acquired not only through a conveyance Deed (purchase, gift etc), but also through adverse possession (“Hrisiktisia”). According to the Hrisiktisia provisions, any person that is exercising acts of possession on any property (even belonging to a third person), claiming it as his, for an uninterrupted period of 20 years, becomes the undisputed owner of such property.

It is obvious that the main danger that Greek Australians neglecting their property in Greece run, is to lose it, to the benefit of any potential trespasser.

The acts of possession leading to Hrisktisia, include the: use, cultivation, fencing, renting it further, parking the car, storing objects, building upon, walking or moaning the sheep through it, etc.

Legally speaking, the only way to stop Hrisiktisia, is the filing of an eviction lawsuit (“diekdikitiki agogi”) before the Greek Courts against the trespasser. Protests to the squatter, complaints to the local Police etc, do not interrupt the Hrisiktisia. However, actually speaking,  the main advise is not to neglect your property. How can this be effected? Well, I would suggest the following acts, as  general guidelines to Greek Australians, so their Title is not in jeopardy:

• Take care of all the necessary ownership and inheritance legal procedures including probate of the Estate and Acceptance of the Inheritance (if you have inherited it). Comply to the annual tax requirements (E1, E2, E9 etc).
• Make sure that your Title is uncontested and properly recorded in the competent Land Registry (“Ypothikofilakeion”) and/or Land Registry Cadastral (“Ktimatologio”). Safe keep a certified copy of your Title together with its Certificate  of Registration from the Land Registry.
• Fence it, to keep squatters off; affix a sign on the fence with your name.
• Beware of Greek relatives “taking care” of your property If you have somebody using or cultivating it (even a relative co-owner),  make sure that you have executed the proper legal documents to protect you.
• Visit it (yourself or your relatives or friends) whilst traveling to Greece and confirm its actual status. Take pictures of your family (or your friends) at your property.
• If you are not in a position to visit, then employ a trusted person (preferably a professional – lawyer or other) and ask him to visit, take pictures and e-mail them to you. Ask for his report in writing. Any signs of trespassing (e.g. a vehicle parked on your land) should alarm you.
• Have a survey (topographic diagram) of your land drawn. This will also help you get a price idea of your property.
• Etc

All the above will help you avoid infringements on your property leading to potential loss of your Title. Keep always in mind that you should not be a “sitting duck” for potential squatters, but a “vigilant owner” instead!

OPA Magazine, September 24, 2011

According to Law 4014/2011 (enacted on September 21, 2011), the general approach is that a property in Greece cannot be conveyed or mortgaged, if :

1. there is a building on it which has been built without the procurement of the Building Authority’s license, or by deviating from the license, or
2. there has been a unilateral change in its licensed use.

According to art 23 par 4 of the above Law, during every conveyance or placement of a mortgage etc on any property, its owner and an engineer must certify in writing that all existing constructions, are according to the building license. Omission or false statement on the above, crates a serious criminal and civil liability to all involved parties, including the public notary, the contracting parties, their lawyers, the real estate agents and the land registrar, reaching to a minimum 6 months of imprisonment and a fine from 30.000 to 100.000 Euros. Moreover the practicing license of the (falsely stating) engineers is suspended.

Is there a remedy for these illegal constructions? Well, through the timely submission of an application to the Building Authority together with various documents (e.g. the E9 tax statement, an engineer’s report etc) and the payment of a fine (up to 6.000 Euros), the imposing of sanctions (demolition included) is postponed for 30 years. The deadline for the relevant application expires on November 30, 2011.

In practice, almost all the buildings in Greece during the last decades have deviated from the terms of the initial building license, mainly with the creation of “imiipethrioi”, i.e. balconies that have been turned to rooms. Realistically, it is now a good chance (and maybe the last?) to legalize such defects and avoid the serious sanctions. But, do hurry!

OPA Magazine, September 15, 2011

According to Law 3661/2008, measures have been taken for the reduction of the buildings’ energy consumption. Subsequently, the new Regulation on Buildings’ Energy Consumption (Gov. Gazette Vol B No. 407/2010) has been issued. This Regulation adds one more document as a prerequisite for the execution of most purchase/sale deeds and lease agreements of buildings in Greece.

More specifically, this is a document required for: a) any purchase/sale of a new or totally renovated building, or b) any purchase/sale of building or part of building (i.e. apartment) or c) lease of building, d) any lease of part of the building which is being used as residence or business establishment which will be executed after 9 January, 2012. The issuance of this certificate is compulsory for buildings of total surface more than 50 sq. m., serving basic needs such as residence, offices, commercial use et.c.

The Certificate of Energy Attribution classifies the buildings in categories (there are nine categories, from A+ to H). The decisive factor for this classification is the buildings’ energy attribution i.e.  the energy which is consumed for meeting the needs of heating, cooling, lighting etc. The Certificate also includes several general information concerning the building (i.e. photo of the building, use, year of construction etc), information about the emissions of carbon dioxide as well as measures/recommendations regarding the amelioration of the energy attribution.

These Certificates are exclusively issued by engineers included in the Ministry’s of Environment lists (“Special Record of Energy Inspectors”). The relevant charges, start from the minimum fee of 150 Euros for the inspection of an apartment and of 200 Euros for the inspection of the entire building.

Unless such a Certificate is produced, no conveyance deed can be effected by the Public Notary and no lease contract can be certified by the Tax Authority.

OPA Magazine, September 6, 2011

One of the most important sections of financial activity in Greece is the conveyance of real estate properties with exchange. Property conveyancing can be effected only through a Notarial Deed (simvoleo) before a Greek Notary Public (simvoleografos). Ownership is perfected through the registration of this Deed, before the competent Land Registry (Ypothikofilakeion) and/or the Land Registry Cadastral (Ktimatologio) of the property’s location.

In a sale, the first and indispensable legal step for the buyer’s lawyer, before the execution of the Deed, would be to conduct a title search on the real estate property to be purchased, before the relevant archives of the competent Land Registry (Ypothikofilakeion) and/ or the Land Registry Cadastral (Ktimatologio) of the property’s location. Through this and through reviewing all relevant listings, either under the name of the owner, as depicted in the Land registry archives, or under the entries, noted under the specific property (in areas where the Land Registry Cadastral is already in effect), the absence of legal flaws is ensured, as well as the lack of registered burdens, lawsuits, seizures, mortgages imposed against the property.

In Greece, there is no centralized or computerized land registry data base, so the lawyer effecting the title investigation has to actually travel to the competent Land Registry at the place where the property lies and go through volumes of books, usually hand written.

When the seller lives overseas, the sale proceeds can be freely remitted abroad without any restrictions.

Greek law on conveyances provides a number of restrictions to the purchase of real estate properties in specific areas of Greece, which have been characterized as “border areas”. These restrictions apply to foreigners for national security reasons. For the execution of any conveyance Deed within these areas, permission by the National Board of Defense/ Ministry of Defense is required. The above permission is not required for people who have the Greek Nationality or are descended from Greek parents and to the citizens of the European Union, as well.

Prior to the execution of the conveyance Deed, a number of documents is required (i.e. issuance of tax registration number, certificate of tax clearance, certificate that there is no Inheritance/ Gift tax due, if the property was acquired by the seller through Inheritance or Gift, Municipal Tax clearance, copy of the building permit, in case that the building permit was issued in 1983 and later, a topographic diagram, when plots are conveyed, etc.); additionally, the submission of the conveyance tax statement, by virtue of which the parties declare to the tax authority the payment of the imposed tax, is indispensable. Sale tax rises to aprx 11%.

Usually, there is no capital gains tax for property sales of individuals.

The entire transaction and registration of sale at the relevant Land Registry/Ktimatologio authorities,  can be effected through a Special (Limited) Power of Attorney, by a qualified and experienced lawyer

March 2011

March 2011

Mr. Tripidakis presents “Legal Matters in Greece”, a live program on the Greek radio station  in Marrickville (Sydney), on Wednesdays at 1 pm, providing the Greek Australian audience with all useful information and guidance regarding legal matters in Greece.

January 26, 2011

Mr. John Tripidakis, hosted by Maria Alyfanti’s program “Open Line”, is being interviewed on legal matters in Greece of interest to Greek Australians (Estates, Greek passport, etc).

Antenna Pacific, on Monday 7th February 2011, at 9.00 pm.

Melbourne, November 2010

Mr. Tripidakis has delivered a successful informative session regarding Legal & Business matters in Greece at the Demystifying Business & Legal Matters in Greecee Invitation the 23rd November 2010.

July 2010

We are pleased to inform our clients and visitors of our web site that we have issued our Business Guide for Greece.

May 2010

Mr. John Tripidakis has been awarded for his contribution to the annual edition “Doing Business 2010: Reforming through Difficult Times”, concerning business activity regulations, carried out by the World Bank and the International Financial Corporation (I.F.C.).

May 2010

Mr. John Tripidakis will deliver his next informative session about “Real-Estate in Greece”, on Wednesday 26th May, 2010, at 7:00pm. Venue: The Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria (corner Russell & Lonsdale Streets). At the end of the session, Mr. Tripidakis will answer questions from the audience. Entry is free. All welcome.

Sydney, January 2010

We are pleased to inform our clients and visitors of our web site that we have issued our Practical Legal Guide for Greek Australians integrating recent developments, new laws in effect and up-to-date tax calculation tables.

December 2009

We are happy to announce that our firm has joined forces with the Law offices of John Tomaras ( JT Law Pty Ltd ) in Sydney, NSW. We look forward to a successful and fruitful collaboration.

Summer 2009 – 10

Mr John Tripidakis, is being interviewed on Greek Law every Sunday at 6 p.m. (Sydney time) by George Messaris at SBS Radio Station (1204 or 1106 AM)

Spring – Summer 2009 – 10

Mr John Tripidakis, being in Australia as of November 2009 and having followed the prescribed procedure, has registered at the Legal Services Boards of Victoria and New South Wales as an Australian registered foreign lawyer qualified to advise on Greek Law in Australia.

Athens, November 2009

We are pleased to inform our clients and visitors of our web site that we have republished our Legal Guide for Greek Australians integrating recent developments, new laws in effect and up-to-date tax calculation tables.

October 4, 2009

We happily announce the successful completion of the Corfu 2009 Conference (www.greekconference.com.au) that took place in Corfu, Greece (26 September–2 October 2009) with the subject “Facing Change in Law, Medicine and Science”.

The works of the conference were attended by distinguished lawyers, doctors and other academics from Australia.

John Tripidakis, LLM (London), participated at the Conference, as an expert in Greek Inheritances and real estate law.

June 9, 2009

We happily announce the successful completion of the 12th Greek-Australian Legal Conference on Our Challenged World: How Law & Medicine Respond? that took place in Samos, Greece (May 31 through June 6, 2009).

Official guests of the conference, were: the Governor of New South Wales, Professor Marie R. Bashir AC CVO, the former Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria and President of the Court of Appeal, Hon John Winneke AO QC RFD and P. President of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Chairman of the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, Lord Alec Broers FRS.

The Hon Jeremy Newton, Ambassador of Australia to Greece was also present at the conference.

Greek Lawyer John Tripidakis LLM (London), delivered his speech on “Greek Taxation and Real Estate” (www.greeklawyers.com.au)

June 6, 2009

John Tripidakis, Esq., will participate as the speaker on “Greek Taxation and Real Estate”. The Conference will be held in Samos, Greece with the presence of the Governor of New South Wales, Justices of the Supreme Court of Victoria and other distinguished academics.