Legal matters before the authorities of Greece and Cyprus

E. Chatzidimitriou LLC

Free Case Assessment
Free Case Assessment
  • Home
  • /
  • Blog
  • /
  • Powers of attorney

DOCUMENTS

Powers of attorney for matters in Greece and Cyprus

Every step before a Greek or Cypriot authority requires either your presence or a power of attorney.

WHO HANDLES THIS

This work is carried out by our lawyers in Greece, before the competent authorities and courts.

Why the wording decides everything

A power of attorney is not a standard form. The powers granted must expressly cover the specific acts to be carried out, and the law often requires a special power of attorney for certain of them. If the authorisation does not cover the act, the authority or the notary will not accept it and the process begins again. For that reason the text is drafted around the case: citizenship, civil registry, inheritance, a transfer of property, court representation or tax representation.

Where it is signed

Two routes are usual. Signature before a notary in your country of residence, followed by an apostille where that State is party to the Hague Convention. Or signature at a Greek or Cypriot consular authority, in which case no apostille is required, though an appointment usually is. The choice is made on availability and timing rather than preference.

Two points that cause problems

Timing. In certain procedures the law requires the special power of attorney to have been given within a defined period before the act, so the signature has to be coordinated with the rest of the timetable.
Identification details. The name, patronymic, passport number and address must appear exactly as in the other documents of the file, failing which the authority will treat the signatory as a different person.

Bilingual text, dispatch and revocation

The deed is drafted in a bilingual text, so that you understand it fully before signing and it is accepted by the authority. After signature, the original bearing the apostille is sent by a tracked service to the office that will use it; your passport need not be sent, a scanned copy being sufficient.
The power of attorney remains in force until the matter for which it was given is completed or until you revoke it. Revocation may be made at any time by a fresh deed, which must be notified wherever the original was used.

QUESTIONS

Frequently asked

Notary or consulate?

Both are accepted. A notary is usually faster but requires an apostille; a consulate does not, but usually requires an appointment.

Can several people sign?

Yes. Where there are several heirs or co-owners, a joint deed or separate deeds are drawn up as the procedure requires

Is an apostille always required?

When signed before a notary abroad, yes. At a Greek or Cypriot consulate, no.

How long is it valid?

Until the matter is completed or it is revoked; a fixed duration may also be set in the text.

Sources

  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs, consular services and legalisation of documents.
  • Hague Convention of 5 October 1961, ratified by Law 1497/1984.
  • Ministry of the Interior, legalisation of foreign public documents.

RELATED

Related services

Drafting Powers of Attorney

The service itself.
Read more

Inheritance & Property in Greece

Locating the documents in the first place.
Read more

Greek Citizenship by Descent

Where the documents are used.
Read more

E. Chatzidimitriou LLC

core services

Genealogical Research

Greek Citizenship

Inheritance

Cypriot Citizenship

Powers of Attorney

Translations

more

All Services

Blog

FAQ

Pay Legal Services

Free Case Review
Call
WhatsApp