Best E-commerce & Internet Law Lawyers in Nea Smyrni

About E-commerce & Internet Law Law in Nea Smyrni, Greece:

E-commerce and internet law in Nea Smyrni follows the same national and European legal framework that applies across Greece. That framework covers data protection, consumer rights for distance and online sales, electronic contracts and signatures, electronic payments and payment services, online advertising and unfair commercial practices, intellectual property, domain names and platform liability. Local businesses based in Nea Smyrni must comply with EU regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation - GDPR, eIDAS rules on electronic identification and trust services, the E-Commerce Directive principles, and national laws that transpose and supplement those EU rules. Practical enforcement and many administrative procedures are managed through Athens-area public authorities, national regulators and local municipal offices.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer if you are starting, operating or defending an online business in Nea Smyrni. Common situations include drafting legally compliant terms and conditions, privacy policies and cookie policies; ensuring platform and marketplace compliance; setting up lawful electronic contracting and invoicing; navigating VAT and tax obligations for national and cross-border sales; handling data breaches and responding to data subject access requests; enforcing or defending intellectual property rights, including trademark and copyright claims and domain disputes; responding to consumer complaints and regulatory investigations; negotiating contracts with payment providers, hosting companies and third-party vendors; and litigating disputes in civil courts or seeking alternative dispute resolution. A specialised lawyer helps reduce regulatory risk, limit fines and reputational harm, and structures operations to scale lawfully.

Local Laws Overview

Key aspects to keep in mind for e-commerce and internet matters in Nea Smyrni include data protection rules under the GDPR and the role of the Hellenic Data Protection Authority in enforcement. Consumer protection rules require clear pre-contractual information, transparent pricing, specified delivery and withdrawal rights for distance sales, and rules on refunds and remedies. Electronic contracts are generally valid if the contracting steps and identification are clear, but required information and language rules must be respected. Payment services are regulated under EU and national payment laws, including stronger customer authentication and liability allocation for card payments. Digital content and service regulations govern defective digital goods and updates. Intellectual property law governs trademarks, copyrights and design rights and provides remedies for infringement. Unfair commercial practices and online advertising must not mislead consumers and are subject to fines. Tax and VAT obligations include registration with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue and compliance with VAT rules for domestic and cross-border sales, including OSS rules for EU-wide distance sales. Local business formalities such as registration in the General Commercial Registry - GEMI, tax registration, municipal permits where relevant, and proper bookkeeping are also required. For enforcement and disputes, courts in the broader Athens judicial district handle civil claims, while administrative or regulatory complaints go to national bodies and ombuds services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What basic legal steps should I take before launching an online store from Nea Smyrni?

Before launching, register your business with the relevant national registries and tax authorities, prepare compliant terms and conditions and a privacy policy reflecting GDPR obligations, set clear return and refund policies aligned with consumer law, ensure invoicing and VAT procedures are in place, confirm that product descriptions and advertising meet consumer protection standards, and secure proper contracts with payment processors and hosting providers. A legal audit by a specialist lawyer can identify gaps.

Do I need to display any specific information on my website for Greek consumers?

Yes. For sales to consumers you must provide clear pre-contractual information such as seller identity, main characteristics of goods or services, total price including taxes and fees, delivery costs and times, the right of withdrawal and how to exercise it, warranty and after-sales information, and a mechanism for consumer complaints. The language and format should be clear and accessible.

How does GDPR affect my e-commerce business in Nea Smyrni?

GDPR applies if you process personal data of EU residents. You must lawfully process data, implement appropriate technical and organisational measures, maintain records of processing activities if required, respond to data subject rights requests, and report certain data breaches to the Hellenic Data Protection Authority within specified timeframes. You will often need a privacy policy, a lawful basis for processing, appropriate consent mechanisms for marketing and cookies, and data processing agreements with service providers.

What should my terms and conditions and privacy policy cover?

Terms and conditions should address contract formation, prices and payment, delivery, returns and refunds, warranties and liability limits, intellectual property and permitted use, dispute resolution, and termination. The privacy policy should explain what data you collect, purposes and legal bases for processing, retention periods, recipients of data, international transfers if any, data subject rights and how to exercise them, and contact details for your data protection officer or contact person.

How are cross-border sales within the EU different from domestic sales?

Cross-border sales trigger VAT considerations - you may need to register for the One-Stop Shop - OSS - for remote sales to consumers in other EU members, or register for VAT in other member states above distance sale thresholds. Consumer protection and product safety rules of the buyer's country may apply. You must also ensure multilingual pre-contractual information and respect applicable consumer rights across borders.

Can I sell regulated products online - for example food, cosmetics or medical devices?

Many regulated products may be sold online but they are subject to sector-specific rules on safety, labeling, licensing, product authorization and traceability. For items such as pharmaceuticals, certain medical devices or tobacco and alcohol, additional permits or prohibitions apply. Consult a lawyer to identify required approvals and to set up compliant sales channels.

What are my responsibilities if my site uses third-party marketplaces or social media platforms?

When you sell through marketplaces or social platforms, you must comply both with your legal obligations and the platform rules. Ensure clear agreements defining liability, payment and refund flows, and intellectual property responsibilities. You remain responsible for product descriptions and compliance with consumer protection and data protection laws in most cases.

How should I handle intellectual property issues like trademark or copyright infringement?

Register trademarks and consider registering domain names that match your brand. Monitor for infringements and send cease-and-desist notices when necessary. For takedown of infringing content on platforms, follow platform notice-and-takedown procedures. For contested disputes, a lawyer can help with administrative remedies, domain dispute procedures or civil litigation.

What happens if a customer files a complaint or a dispute arises?

Try to resolve complaints using clear internal procedures and documented communications. Many disputes can be settled via mediation or alternative dispute resolution before court. If resolution fails, you may face claims in civil court in the Athens judicial district or proceedings before consumer protection authorities. Keep records and evidence of compliance to support your defence.

How much does it typically cost to get legal help for e-commerce matters?

Costs depend on the scope - a one-off document review or template drafting is usually less expensive than ongoing compliance advice, litigation or regulatory defence. Many lawyers offer fixed-fee packages for common needs like terms and privacy policies, and hourly rates for bespoke work. Ask for a clear fee estimate and an engagement letter outlining services and billing.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Data Protection Authority - national regulator for data protection and GDPR enforcement.

Independent Authority for Public Revenue - for tax and VAT registration and guidance relevant to e-commerce.

General Commercial Registry - GEMI - for business registration and company filings.

Hellenic Consumer Ombudsman and the Ministry of Development - for consumer protection guidance and complaint handling.

Hellenic Industrial Property Organization - for trademark and industrial design registration and information.

Ministry of Digital Governance - for national digital policy, electronic signatures and trust services matters.

European Online Dispute Resolution and European Consumer Centre - for cross-border consumer dispute options and information.

Local municipality of Nea Smyrni - for municipal business permits, signage rules and local administrative requirements.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance in e-commerce and internet law, start by gathering documents and information - business registration details, sample contracts and website texts, privacy and cookie notices, supplier and payment agreements, and any communications related to disputes or complaints. Schedule an initial consultation with a lawyer who specialises in e-commerce and internet law and who understands Greek and EU rules. In that meeting, ask for a compliance checklist, a cost estimate, and a suggested timeline. Consider an initial legal audit to identify urgent gaps in privacy, consumer law and tax compliance, then prioritise remedial actions such as updating policies, implementing cookie consent and data security measures, and formalising contracts with processors and vendors. Keep communications and records organised and consider ongoing quarterly or annual compliance reviews as your business grows.