Best E-commerce & Internet Law Lawyers in Arta

About E-commerce & Internet Law in Arta, Greece

E-commerce and internet law in Arta follows the national Greek legal framework and the European Union framework that applies across all regions of Greece. Whether you are selling goods online, providing digital content, operating a marketplace, or running a local service platform, you must comply with rules on consumer protection, data protection, electronic contracting, marketing, payments, and platform governance. Local practicalities in Arta include business registration with the local Chamber and the General Commercial Registry, access to local courts for disputes, and regional consumer support services.

Greek law integrates key EU rules such as the GDPR on personal data, the Consumer Rights rules on distance sales, the eIDAS framework for electronic signatures, PSD2 on electronic payments and strong customer authentication, and the Digital Services Act on online intermediaries. Greek statutes like Law 2251 on Consumer Protection, Law 4624 on GDPR implementation, and Law 3471 on privacy in electronic communications are central. Sector regulators and authorities in Greece provide enforcement and guidance, including the Hellenic Data Protection Authority and the Hellenic Consumer Ombudsman.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer if you are launching an online store and want compliant terms of service, a privacy notice, returns policies, and website disclosures tailored to Greek and EU rules. Legal advice helps you avoid costly mistakes such as invalid consent mechanisms, unfair contract terms, or unlawful pricing practices.

Legal help is also valuable if you process personal data and need to assess GDPR obligations, prepare data processing agreements, manage cookies and trackers, conduct a data protection impact assessment, or respond to a data breach within strict deadlines. A lawyer can guide you on when to notify the Hellenic Data Protection Authority and affected users.

Businesses that sell across EU borders often seek advice on VAT, invoicing with the Greek tax authority, and the EU One Stop Shop scheme. A lawyer can help you structure cross-border operations, set delivery terms, and allocate risk for loss or damage in transit.

Platform operators and marketplace sellers may require counsel on the Digital Services Act, notice-and-action mechanisms, moderation policies, transparency reporting, and the P2B Regulation on platform-to-business fairness. If you host user content, you need clear procedures to handle takedown notices and repeat infringers.

You might also need a lawyer to protect intellectual property, handle domain name disputes for .gr domains, review influencer contracts, defend against unfair competition claims, or pursue remedies for online fraud and defamation. For disputes with consumers, a lawyer can represent you before the Court of First Instance of Arta or guide you through mediation and alternative dispute resolution.

Local Laws Overview

Consumer protection and distance sales: Greek Law 2251 on Consumer Protection implements EU consumer directives for distance and off-premises contracts. It requires clear pre-contract information, a 14-day right of withdrawal for most consumer purchases, transparent pricing with VAT, and fair terms. Greece has implemented EU rules on the sale of goods and digital content, which set conformity and remedies when products or digital services are defective.

Data protection and cookies: The GDPR applies across Greece, with national implementation under Law 4624. Law 3471 on privacy in electronic communications requires prior consent for non-essential cookies and similar technologies. The Hellenic Data Protection Authority has issued guidance on valid cookie banners, which should provide easy accept and reject choices and granular controls.

Electronic contracts and signatures: The EU eIDAS Regulation governs electronic identification and trust services. Qualified electronic signatures have the same legal effect as handwritten signatures in Greece. Electronic contracts are valid if statutory information duties are met and consent is informed and recorded.

Payments and security: PSD2, implemented in Greece, mandates strong customer authentication for most electronic payments. If you accept card payments or use payment service providers, you must ensure SCA and manage payment data securely. Refund timelines and chargeback handling should be clearly explained to consumers.

Online platforms and content: The EU Digital Services Act applies to online intermediaries, including marketplaces and hosting services that operate in Greece. It sets rules on terms of service clarity, notice-and-action for illegal content, complaint handling, and transparency obligations that scale with provider size. Marketplace operators have additional consumer information duties, including verification of trader details.

Marketing and spam: Unsolicited email and SMS marketing generally require prior opt-in consent, subject to a narrow soft opt-in for existing customers where lawful. Advertising must be accurate and not misleading. Influencer marketing must disclose commercial intent in a clear and prominent way.

Intellectual property and content protection: Greek copyright law protects online content. Greece has an administrative mechanism for online copyright enforcement that can order access restrictions to infringing sites. Trademark protection is available through Greek national filings and EU trademarks. Online sellers should avoid unauthorized use of protected content, logos, and product images.

Domain names and .gr policies: .gr and .ελ domain names are overseen by the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission. Disputes can be brought under its dispute resolution policy, and decisions consider trademark rights, legitimate interests, and bad faith.

Tax and invoicing: Online sellers must comply with Greek VAT, issue lawful receipts or invoices through systems recognized by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue, and in many cases submit data to the myDATA electronic books platform. Cross-border EU sales may be simplified using the One Stop Shop scheme. Pricing must show total cost with VAT and any delivery charges presented clearly before checkout.

Local procedures in Arta: Businesses register with the General Commercial Registry through the local Chamber of Arta. Consumer disputes can be heard before the Court of First Instance of Arta or the local Magistrate’s Court for small claims. Local Citizens Service Centers in Arta can help with filings and certifications. Regional mediation and consumer services may assist in resolving disputes without court proceedings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need terms of service and a privacy policy on my website?

Yes. Greek consumer law requires clear information about the seller, pricing, delivery, returns, warranties, and dispute mechanisms. GDPR requires transparent privacy notices that explain what personal data you collect, why you collect it, your legal bases, how long you keep it, and user rights. Policies should be available in Greek if you target Greek consumers.

What is the right of withdrawal for online purchases in Greece?

Consumers have a 14-day withdrawal right for most distance contracts, starting from delivery of goods or from the conclusion of a service contract. You must provide a model withdrawal form and honor refunds within 14 days of notice, using the same payment method unless otherwise agreed. There are exceptions, such as customized goods, sealed health products once unsealed, and fully performed services with prior consent.

How should I handle cookies and tracking technologies?

Obtain prior consent for non-essential cookies and similar trackers. Provide a cookie banner with equal prominence to accept and reject, easy access to granular choices, and a cookie policy describing each category. Only strictly necessary cookies can be set before consent. Keep records of consents and allow users to change choices at any time.

Can I send marketing emails to customers without consent?

In general you need prior opt-in consent. A limited soft opt-in may apply when you obtained a customer’s email during a sale of your own similar products and provided a clear opt-out at collection and in each message. Always include a simple unsubscribe mechanism. Cold SMS and automated calls require prior consent.

What information must I display on my e-commerce site?

Display your business name, address, contact details, registration and VAT numbers, total price with VAT, delivery charges, payment methods, delivery times, withdrawal rights, complaint handling, and any after-sales service or warranty terms. For marketplaces, identify whether the seller is a trader or a private individual and clarify who is responsible for consumer rights.

How do EU VAT and the One Stop Shop affect my online sales?

For cross-border B2C sales within the EU, you may register for the One Stop Shop to report and pay VAT due in other member states through a single quarterly return. You must charge the VAT rate of the consumer’s country once you exceed applicable thresholds. Keep proper records and issue compliant invoices or receipts under Greek tax rules.

What are my obligations if I suffer a data breach?

Assess the risk to individuals. If there is a risk, notify the Hellenic Data Protection Authority within 72 hours of becoming aware. If there is a high risk to individuals, inform affected users without undue delay. Document the incident, the effects, and remedial actions, and review your security measures and vendor contracts.

I operate a marketplace. What does the Digital Services Act require?

You must have clear terms, a notice-and-action channel for illegal content, a process for user complaints, and transparency reporting proportional to your size. You should verify trader identity, provide important information to consumers before purchase, and cooperate with authorities. Larger platforms have additional obligations such as risk assessments and audit duties.

How are .gr domain name disputes resolved?

.gr domains follow rules set by the national regulator. If a domain conflicts with a trademark or was registered in bad faith, you can bring a complaint under the regulator’s dispute policy. Remedies may include transfer or cancellation. Evidence of earlier rights, lack of legitimate interest, and bad faith behavior are key factors.

What are the rules for reviews and influencer marketing?

Reviews must be genuine and not manipulated. If you present reviews as verified, you should explain your verification steps. Influencer posts that are paid or involve free products must include clear labels indicating advertising. Misleading practices, hidden sponsorship, and fake scarcity claims can trigger enforcement and fines.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Data Protection Authority - guidance on GDPR, cookies, and data breach notifications.

General Secretariat for Commerce and Consumer Protection, Ministry of Development and Investments - consumer law guidance and market inspections.

Hellenic Consumer Ombudsman - mediation and dispute resolution between consumers and businesses.

Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission - domain name rules and electronic communications oversight.

Hellenic Police Cyber Crime Division - reporting cyber fraud, phishing, and online crime.

Independent Authority for Public Revenue - VAT, myDATA electronic books, and invoicing compliance.

European Consumer Centre Greece - cross-border consumer dispute assistance within the EU.

Chamber of Arta - local business registration support and General Commercial Registry services.

Citizens Service Centers in Arta - assistance with filings and certifications for individuals and businesses.

Hellenic e-Commerce Association - industry guidance and best practices for online shops.

Next Steps

Map your online activities and data flows. Identify what you sell, where you sell, what personal data you collect, which vendors you use, and which platforms you rely on. This baseline will determine the specific legal duties that apply to you.

Draft or update key documents. Prepare terms of service, a privacy notice, a cookies policy, a returns and warranty policy, and any marketplace seller disclosures. Ensure they are clear, accurate, and available in Greek for consumers in Greece.

Implement compliance in practice. Configure your cookie banner correctly, verify that checkout pages display total prices and delivery costs, enable the 14-day withdrawal process, ensure strong customer authentication for payments, and set up processes for handling complaints and takedown notices.

Review contracts with vendors. Sign data processing agreements with hosting, analytics, and marketing providers, ensure international data transfers have valid safeguards, and verify that couriers and payment processors meet security and consumer law standards.

Plan for incidents and disputes. Create a data breach response plan, train staff on phishing and fraud prevention, and consider pre-arranged mediation options for consumer disputes. For Arta-based matters, identify the local court and mediation services you may need.

Consult a lawyer. A lawyer experienced in Greek e-commerce and internet law can review your website and processes, tailor documents, and advise on VAT and cross-border issues. Legal advice is especially important before launching, scaling to other EU markets, running complex marketing campaigns, or operating a marketplace.

This guide is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice on your specific situation in Arta, consult a qualified lawyer in Greece.