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Due diligence means the fact-finding and legal checks done before a major transaction or decision. In Agia Paraskevi - a municipality in the Athens urban area - due diligence is commonly required for real estate deals, corporate transactions, leasing of commercial space, public procurement bids, and financing secured by property. Greek law governs the substantive rules, while local authorities and registries in Attica and Agia Paraskevi provide the documentary evidence and local approvals you must confirm.
Due diligence in Greece is a mix of legal, tax, regulatory and technical work. Lawyers focus on documents, contracts, registration, liabilities and regulatory compliance. Engineers and surveyors often do technical surveys and building-permit checks. Accountants review tax and financial exposure. For most transactions a coordinated, local approach is needed so that national law and municipal practice are both covered.
There are many situations where legal help is essential:
- Buying or selling real estate in Agia Paraskevi - to check title, mortgages, encumbrances, planning compliance and prepare or review the notarial deed.
- Acquiring or selling a business or shares of a company registered in Greece - to review corporate records, liabilities, contracts, employment and tax exposure.
- Entering commercial leases or long-term contracts - to negotiate terms, review local licensing and zoning conditions, and protect your rights.
- Bidding for municipal or public contracts - to ensure compliance with public procurement rules and to prepare challenge strategies when necessary.
- Taking or granting secured loans - to verify the priority of existing mortgages, prepare security documents and coordinate registrations in the Cadastre or Land Registry.
- Handling inheritance that includes property in Agia Paraskevi - to validate succession documents, taxes and transfer procedures.
- Responding to notices of planning or building violations, environmental orders or administrative fines - to limit penalties and arrange corrective measures.
Key aspects of the legal framework to bear in mind:
- Civil Code and Contracts - Greece follows a civil law system. Contract formation, obligations, remedies and tort liability are governed mainly by the Civil Code. Written contracts are essential for significant transactions.
- Property Law and Cadastre - The Hellenic Cadastre (Ktimatologio) and existing land registries record ownership, mortgages and charges. Confirm registration status, boundary plans and any inconsistencies between deeds and cadastre records.
- Notarial Role - Property transfers and many corporate acts require notarization by a Greek notary public. The notary ensures the deed is drafted correctly and that formalities are observed, but their role does not replace buyer-side due diligence.
- Urban Planning and Building Permits - Local planning rules, permitted land uses and building permits are regulated at national, regional and municipal levels. Check the municipal planning department for permitted use, lawful built area and outstanding violations. Key documents include building permits - Oikodomiki Adia - and technical certifications by licensed engineers.
- Environment and Health Regulations - Environmental permits and compliance obligations can affect industrial or commercial properties. Contamination, wastewater discharges and protected-area rules must be examined where relevant.
- Tax Law - Transfer taxes, VAT, income or corporate tax liabilities and ENFIA property tax are important. Tax clearance certificates and review of tax filings help identify hidden liabilities.
- Corporate Law - Company articles, shareholder registers, authorisations for transactions, outstanding litigation and regulatory consents are central for share or asset deals. Filings with the General Commercial Registry - GEMI - should be verified.
- Employment and Social Security Law - Check employee contracts, collective agreements, accrued liabilities, severance obligations and social security contributions with EFKA. Labour law exposure can be a major risk in acquisitions.
- Anti-money-laundering and Data Protection - Compliance with AML rules and the Hellenic Data Protection Authority requirements can be relevant for certain transactions and client onboarding.
Start with the title deed, notarial contracts, current cadastral extracts or registry certificates, building permits and completion certificates, recent tax clearance certificates, ENFIA notices, energy performance certificates, corporate documents for companies (articles of association, shareholder register, recent financial statements), employment records, and any contracts that affect the asset such as leases, easements or loan agreements.
Timelines vary by scope. A focused property title and planning check can take 1-3 weeks. Full legal, tax, corporate and technical due diligence for a medium-sized transaction can take 4-8 weeks. Delays often come from slow responses from public registries, missing documents or the need for technical surveys.
You should verify independently. Sellers may provide accurate information, but legal due diligence is intended to confirm ownership, encumbrances, planning and tax status. Independent checks reduce risk and support negotiation of warranties and indemnities.
Options include negotiating a price reduction, requiring the seller to clear the issue before closing, adding contractual warranties and indemnities, obtaining escrow arrangements, or walking away. Your lawyer will advise which route best protects your interests given the severity and solvability of the problem.
The notary prepares and executes the transfer deed and ensures formal legal requirements are met, but due diligence done by your lawyer is needed to detect hidden encumbrances, planning or tax issues. Notarial examination complements but does not replace buyer-side legal checks.
Yes. Engineers and surveyors check boundaries, structural condition, building-code compliance and identify violations. Environmental consultants assess contamination risks. Accountants and tax advisors examine tax exposure. Lawyers coordinate these specialists and integrate their findings into the legal assessment and transaction documents.
Dispute resolution depends on the contract. Common remedies include claims under contractual warranties and indemnities, rescission in severe cases, or damages. Contracts often specify jurisdiction and whether disputes go to courts or arbitration. Your lawyer will draft warranties and dispute provisions to limit future exposure.
Specific checks include the municipal planning department records, any local zoning or land-use restrictions, municipal building violations and local tax or utility receivables. Confirm whether the municipal office has issued any administrative orders affecting the property or business operations in Agia Paraskevi.
Costs depend on scope and experts required. Simple title and planning checks are relatively inexpensive. Comprehensive packages that include legal, tax, accounting and technical surveys cost more. Ask for a written fee estimate and a scope of work - some firms offer fixed fees for standard packages and hourly rates for bespoke matters.
Look for lawyers with experience in the transaction type you need - real estate, corporate M&A, public procurement or tax. Check that they are members of the local Bar Association, ask for references and examples of similar work, confirm they work with local technical experts and request a clear engagement letter outlining fees, scope and confidentiality.
Useful offices and authorities to contact or check documents with - engage them through your lawyer or authorised representatives:
- Municipality of Agia Paraskevi - municipal planning and building departments for local permits and violation records.
- Hellenic Cadastre (Ktimatologio) - for cadastral extracts and registration status.
- Local Land Registry offices - for registered deeds, mortgages and encumbrances if the property is not yet in the Cadastre.
- Notary Publics - for drafting and executing deeds and accessing prior notarial acts.
- General Commercial Registry - GEMI - for corporate filings and company status.
- Tax Office - DOY - for tax clearance information and outstanding liabilities.
- EFKA - social security authority - for labour and social security contribution issues.
- Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy and the Regional Unit of Attica - for environmental and planning rules.
- Bar Association of Athens - professional body for lawyers and disciplinary information.
- Hellenic Data Protection Authority and MOKAS - for data protection and anti-money-laundering rules when relevant.
If you need legal assistance for due diligence in Agia Paraskevi follow these practical steps:
- Gather documents - assemble titles, deeds, permits, corporate and tax documents listed above.
- Prepare a concise brief - describe the transaction, the asset, desired timeline and your main concerns.
- Contact a local lawyer experienced in the relevant field - arrange an initial meeting and ask for a scope, timetable and fee estimate in writing.
- Authorise searches - sign any powers of attorney needed to obtain official extracts from Cadastre, GEMI, tax office and municipal records.
- Instruct technical experts through your lawyer - order surveys, structural reports or environmental assessments as required by the transaction risk profile.
- Review findings and negotiate terms - use the due diligence report to negotiate price, warranties, indemnities and conditions precedent.
- Finalise documentation and closing plan - ensure notary, tax certificates and registrations are scheduled and that closing conditions are met in the agreed order.
- Keep records - store due diligence reports, correspondence and certificates securely. They can be crucial in case of later disputes or audits.
Working with a competent local legal team helps you navigate Greek formalities, municipal practice in Agia Paraskevi and the mix of legal, tax and technical issues that influence successful transactions.
