Best E-commerce & Internet Law Lawyers in Thivais

About E-commerce & Internet Law in Thivais, Greece

E-commerce and Internet Law in Thivais is primarily governed by Greek national law and directly applicable European Union regulations. Local businesses in Thivais operate under a harmonized EU - Greek framework that covers consumer protection, data protection and privacy, electronic contracts, digital content, online advertising, platform responsibilities, electronic payments, taxation and invoicing, and intellectual property. Although enforcement occurs at a national level, these rules apply uniformly to traders targeting consumers in Thivais, whether the trader is established in Greece or selling cross - border from another EU member state.

In practice, this means online stores, marketplaces, app providers, SaaS companies, influencers, payment service providers, and logistics partners must comply with requirements on clear terms, pre - contract consumer information, lawful processing of personal data, cookie consent, strong customer authentication for payments, proper VAT treatment, and fair commercial practices. Greek authorities and regulators supervise specific areas such as data protection, consumer protection, telecom and domain names, competition, and tax compliance.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Launching or scaling an online business often triggers multiple legal obligations at once. A lawyer can help you draft compliant website terms and conditions, privacy notices, cookie consent flows, returns policies, and marketplace seller terms. If you are onboarding vendors or influencers, counsel can prepare agreements covering content rights, advertising disclosures, data processing, and termination.

Businesses in Thivais commonly seek legal help when facing consumer complaints or chargebacks, handling data breaches and regulator notifications, responding to takedown notices for user - generated content, resolving .gr domain name disputes, protecting trademarks and copyrights, or navigating platform liability under the EU Digital Services Act. E-commerce operations frequently need advice on cross - border VAT via the EU OSS or IOSS schemes, compliance with Greek electronic bookkeeping and e - invoicing requirements, and integrating payment flows that satisfy PSD2 strong customer authentication.

If you sell digital content or run a subscription service, a lawyer can guide you on rules for digital content conformity, automatic renewals, cancellation procedures, and refund scenarios. If you operate an online marketplace, you will likely need support implementing trader verification, transparency obligations, notice - and - action mechanisms, and internal complaint handling required under EU and Greek law.

Local Laws Overview

Consumer contracts and distance selling. Greek consumer protection law, aligned with EU directives, requires clear pre - contract information, easy - to - find terms, and confirmation of key details on a durable medium. Consumers generally have a 14 - day right of withdrawal for distance sales. There are exceptions, including for digital content not supplied on a tangible medium when the consumer has given prior express consent to immediate performance and acknowledgment of losing the withdrawal right. Goods must be delivered within agreed timelines, and trader liability for lack of conformity typically lasts at least two years for consumer goods. Digital content and digital services must conform to contract and be kept updated.

Unfair terms and commercial practices. Contract terms must be fair and transparent. Clauses that significantly imbalance consumer rights to the detriment of the consumer may be deemed unfair and unenforceable. Commercial practices must not be misleading or aggressive, including online reviews, rankings, and price presentations.

Pricing and promotions. EU rules implemented in Greece require transparent price reductions, typically showing the prior price applied during a defined period before the promotion, often the last 30 days. Strikethrough prices, countdowns, and dynamic pricing must be accurate and not misleading. Online marketplaces must disclose how offers are ranked and whether the seller is a professional trader or a private individual, since consumer law protections apply differently.

Digital Services Act. The EU Digital Services Act applies to online intermediaries, hosting providers, and platforms. Core obligations include having a clear point of contact, transparent terms on content moderation and advertising, a user - friendly notice - and - action mechanism for illegal content, transparency reporting, and trader traceability for online marketplaces. Smaller providers benefit from proportionate obligations, but they still need to meet the baseline requirements.

Data protection and cookies. The GDPR applies in Greece, with national rules supplementing it. You must have a lawful basis for processing personal data, honor data subject rights, and implement appropriate security measures. Data breaches that risk individuals must be reported to the Hellenic Data Protection Authority without undue delay and typically within 72 hours, and sometimes to affected individuals. Cookie storage and access require prior consent unless strictly necessary. Email and SMS marketing generally require opt - in consent, with a limited soft opt - in for existing customers for similar products and easy opt - out in every message. In Greece, the minimum age for a child to consent to information society services is commonly treated as 15 when relying on consent as the legal basis.

Electronic payments. PSD2 rules apply to payment services and strong customer authentication in online checkout flows. The Bank of Greece supervises payment institutions and e - money issuers. Merchants must integrate 3 - D Secure or other compliant SCA methods unless an exemption applies.

Tax and e - invoicing. Greek VAT applies to domestic sales, with a standard rate often at 24 percent unless a reduced rate applies to specific goods or services. For EU cross - border B2C sales, the EU OSS regime can simplify VAT obligations by allowing quarterly filings in one member state. For low - value imports into the EU, the IOSS scheme may apply. Greek businesses need to comply with AADE myDATA electronic books by transmitting revenue data electronically through certified methods and, where applicable, using certified e - invoicing or connected cash registers.

Company and trader identification. Websites targeting Greek consumers must display essential trader identification, including the business name, geographic address, contact details, Tax Identification Number, and General Commercial Registry details where applicable. Customer service contact methods must be effective and not impose excessive costs.

Intellectual property and domain names. Protect trademarks and designs through national filings or EU registrations. The .gr domain space is managed under rules overseen nationally, and disputes can be handled through procedures set by the relevant authorities. Online sellers should implement notice - and - takedown procedures for alleged IP infringements on their sites or marketplaces.

Advertising and influencer marketing. Ads must be truthful, not misleading, and consistent with sector - specific rules. Influencer and affiliate marketing should include clear commercial disclosures in Greek where the audience is Greek, using conspicuous labels that an average consumer will understand. Sector regulations apply to sensitive products such as alcohol, health products, and financial services.

Electronic signatures and records. EU eIDAS rules recognize electronic signatures. The appropriate type of e - signature depends on risk, value, and evidentiary needs. Keeping auditable consent records, contract acceptances, and logs is critical for compliance and dispute resolution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Greek company to sell online to customers in Thivais?

No. You can sell cross - border within the EU. However, if you are targeting Greek consumers, you must comply with Greek and EU consumer, privacy, and tax rules. Consider OSS for VAT, a Greek language interface and terms, and local return and customer support arrangements.

Can I write my terms and privacy notice only in English?

If you target Greek consumers, provide terms, pre - contract information, and privacy notices in clear Greek. You can also offer English, but Greek - language versions help demonstrate transparency and are often necessary for enforceability and regulatory compliance.

What is the 14 - day right of withdrawal and when does it not apply?

Consumers usually have 14 days to withdraw from distance contracts without giving a reason. Exceptions include custom - made goods, perishable goods, and digital content not on a tangible medium once the consumer has expressly consented to immediate performance and acknowledged losing the right to withdraw. You must clearly inform consumers about the right and provide a model form.

What are my cookie and email marketing obligations?

Non - essential cookies, including most analytics and advertising cookies, require prior consent. Use a compliant banner and provide a cookie policy. For marketing emails or SMS, obtain opt - in consent, keep records, and include an easy opt - out in every message. A soft opt - in may apply for existing customers for similar products if they were offered an opt - out at the point of data collection and in each message.

Do I need a Data Protection Officer?

Most small e - shops do not need a DPO. A DPO is mandatory for public bodies and organizations whose core activities involve regular and systematic monitoring of individuals on a large scale or large - scale processing of special category data. Even without a DPO, you must appoint responsible staff, maintain records of processing, and implement security measures.

How should I handle VAT for EU sales?

For cross - border B2C sales within the EU, use the OSS scheme to report and pay VAT due in customers countries through a single quarterly return. For imports up to a low - value threshold, consider IOSS. Domestic Greek sales follow Greek VAT rules. Always verify rates and registration obligations with a tax professional.

What are my obligations under the Digital Services Act?

If you host third - party content or operate a marketplace, you must provide a notice - and - action channel, publish clear content rules, be transparent about advertising, and, for marketplaces, verify trader details. You should also publish annual transparency information proportionate to your size and role.

How do chargebacks and disputes typically work?

Card schemes allow consumers to challenge transactions. Maintain clear terms, proof of delivery, and customer communications to contest unjustified chargebacks. Offer accessible complaint handling and consider Alternative Dispute Resolution to resolve issues efficiently before litigation.

Can I restrict sales to people under 18?

Yes. For age - restricted products, implement age gates and verification. When relying on consent to process a child s personal data for online services, Greek law commonly sets the minimum age at 15. If your service is likely to be used by minors, design with heightened privacy and safety measures.

What if I suffer a data breach?

Assess the incident promptly, contain it, and document actions. If the breach risks individuals rights and freedoms, notify the Hellenic Data Protection Authority without undue delay, typically within 72 hours, and inform affected individuals when required. Review security controls and update policies after the incident.

Additional Resources

Hellenic Data Protection Authority - Supervises GDPR compliance, handles breach notifications, issues guidance on privacy and cookies.

General Secretariat for Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Development - Enforces consumer protection rules, unfair terms, price transparency, and distance selling compliance.

Hellenic Consumer Ombudsman - Independent authority offering alternative dispute resolution between consumers and businesses.

Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission - Regulates electronic communications and .gr domain name matters within its competence.

AADE Independent Authority for Public Revenue - VAT registration and guidance, OSS and IOSS administration, myDATA e - books and e - invoicing compliance.

Bank of Greece - Supervisory authority for payment institutions, e - money, and PSD2 strong customer authentication matters.

Boeotia Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Local business support for companies operating in Thivais and the wider region.

European Consumer Centre Greece - Assistance for cross - border consumer disputes within the EU.

Greek eCommerce Association GR.EC.A - Industry best practices and market insights for online retailers and marketplaces.

Hellenic Copyright Organization and relevant IP authorities - Guidance and procedures for copyright, anti - piracy actions, and IP enforcement.

Next Steps

Map your business model and data flows. Identify what you sell, where you sell, how you take payments, what personal data you process, what third parties you use, and whether you host user content or run a marketplace. This scoping will determine which legal obligations apply.

Prepare baseline documents and processes. Draft clear terms and conditions, privacy notice, cookie policy, returns and refunds policy, and complaint handling procedure. Configure cookie consent, age gates if relevant, and customer service contact details. Implement records of consent and audit trails for contract acceptance.

Align payments, tax, and invoicing. Ensure strong customer authentication in checkout, confirm VAT treatment, consider OSS or IOSS for EU sales, and integrate with AADE myDATA for electronic books and e - invoicing if you are established in Greece.

Address platform and marketplace obligations. If you host third - party sellers or content, implement trader verification, notice - and - action, internal complaint handling, and clear content policies. Establish workflows for IP and illegal content takedowns with response timelines.

Strengthen privacy and security. Maintain records of processing, data processing agreements with vendors, and appropriate technical and organizational measures. Prepare a breach response plan, and train staff who handle personal data and customer support.

Seek tailored legal advice. Contact a lawyer experienced in Greek and EU e - commerce law to review your documents, website flows, and integrations. A focused compliance review will reduce risk and help you launch or expand in Thivais with confidence.