Power of Attorney and Representation in Greece

A Power of Attorney is a document pursuant to which a person authorizes another person to act on his/ her behalf certain specific actions.

A Notarial Power of Attorney (“Plirexousio”) is distinct, in Greece, from the written authorization (“Exousiodotisi”), in that a Notarial Power of Attorney is drafted and executed before a notary. The simple written authorization is a private document under which a person authorizes another person to act on his/ her behalf and (for security purposes) the signature of the person providing the authorization, is often certified by a public authority.

The form of the Power of Attorney (notarial or simple written authorization) depends on the form required for the action or transaction for which the authorization is provided (e.g. the sale and purchase of immovable property requires always a notarial act, therefore a Notarial Power of Attorney is required).

In practice, a Notarial Power of Attorney is provided also where the authorizing person (Grantor) provides multiple powers to the authorized person (Attorney) and where the Power of Attorney will be used multiple times. The simple written authorization, in practice, is used more often to authorize a person for specific actions, and once those are carried out, its validity expires.

A General Power of Attorney provides the Attorney general powers, e.g. the management of all the assets of the Grantor.

A Special Power of Attorney (or Limited Power of Attorney) provides the Attorney with the authority to carry out certain specific actions only, expressly described in the document (e.g. the transfer of a specific asset under specific terms).

Powers of Attorney may be provided for a limited duration, it  may expire when the specific action described is completed or it may be revoked by the Grantor. The Notarial Powers of Attorney must be revoked by notarial act and it must be notified to the Attorney.

Our services:

Our team assists clients in drafting powers of attorney, authorizing either us, or a person of the client’s choice to effect specific actions in his or her name and behalf, or to represent the client before all or any public or private person.

In addition to drafting the document, our firm may arrange an appointment for the execution of such powers of attorney either before a Greek Notary a Greek Consulate abroad or a Notary abroad.

We also represent our clients before Greek authorities, as well as private persons in Greece for any specific matter or generally for securing their rights. More particularly, we often represent Greeks residing abroad (Greeks of the “Diaspora” / “Omogenia”) before Greek authorities (e.g.  to research documents such as certificates of births, marriages and deaths, as well as for property matters, inheritance cases and judicial proceedings).

For more information, contact us.