Best E-commerce & Internet Law Lawyers in Xanthi

About E-commerce & Internet Law in Xanthi, Greece

This guide explains the main legal issues people commonly face when running or using online services and shops in Xanthi, Greece. E-commerce and internet law covers a wide range of topics - consumer rights, distance selling, privacy and data protection, electronic contracts and signatures, liability of internet intermediaries, intellectual property, online payments and taxation. Businesses in Xanthi must comply with Greek national law and the European Union legal framework that applies across member states. Local businesses and individuals should be aware that enforcement and practical steps often involve local authorities, tax offices and courts based in Xanthi or the wider region.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Online business and internet-related activity can raise legal questions that are technical and fact-specific. You may need a lawyer when:

- You are setting up an online store or a digital service and need compliant terms and conditions, returns and cancellation policies, privacy policy and cookie notices.

- You process personal data of customers or employees and must meet data protection obligations under GDPR and Greek rules.

- You receive a complaint from a customer about quality, delivery, refunds or unfair commercial practices.

- Your platform or website is accused of hosting copyrighted material or trademark infringing content, or you wish to protect your brand and online content.

- You suffer a data breach, security incident or hacking and must respond to regulators, customers and technical stakeholders.

- You need advice about VAT, cross-border sales, invoicing and the EU one-stop-shop (OSS) VAT regime for e-commerce.

- You negotiate platform terms, e-marketplace contracts, payment service agreements or software licensing and want to reduce contractual risk.

- You are involved in online dispute resolution, enforcement proceedings or civil litigation in Xanthi courts.

- You need to ensure advertising, promotions, contests and user reviews meet consumer law and marketing rules.

Local Laws Overview

Key legal areas and rules that affect e-commerce and internet activities in Xanthi include:

- European and Greek consumer protection rules - These cover pre-contract information, withdrawal rights for distance and off-premises contracts, mandatory refund and delivery rules, and prohibitions on unfair commercial practices. Businesses must give clear information about prices, taxes, delivery costs and cancellation.

- Data protection - The EU General Data Protection Regulation - GDPR - applies directly in Greece. Greek legislation and national supervisory authority requirements supplement it. Compliance covers lawful bases for processing, privacy notices, records of processing activities, data protection impact assessments and incident notification.

- E-commerce and intermediary liability - EU and national rules set out when hosting providers, internet service providers and online marketplaces can be exempt from liability for third-party content and the steps required for notice-and-takedown procedures.

- Electronic identification and signatures - The EU eIDAS regulation governs the validity of electronic signatures and ensures cross-border recognition of certain trust services. Greek law recognises qualified electronic signatures and electronic contracts when requirements are met.

- Digital content and digital services - Rules regulate conformity of digital content, remedies for non-conformity, and consumer rights for updates and repair. EU directives on digital content and digital services are implemented in national law.

- Intellectual property - Copyright, trademarks and designs are protected under Greek and EU rules. Online infringement can trigger takedown obligations or civil claims for damages.

- Taxation and VAT - Online sales may involve Greek VAT, and cross-border sales within the EU are subject to special VAT rules including distance selling thresholds and the one-stop-shop (OSS) VAT scheme for e-commerce.

- Advertising and marketing - Laws control misleading advertising, comparative advertising and special rules for promotions, sweepstakes and influencer disclosures.

- Local procedural matters - If litigation or administrative enforcement occurs, matters will often be handled by the competent courts or administrative bodies in Xanthi or the wider region. Local lawyers can advise on court procedures and venue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register my online business in Greece if I operate from Xanthi?

Yes. Individuals and companies selling goods or services online need the appropriate business registration and tax identification. That typically means registering in the General Commercial Registry (GEMI) if you operate as a legal entity, registering for tax with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue and following local licensing rules that apply to your sector. A lawyer or an accountant can advise on the exact steps based on your legal form and activities.

What must I include in my online store terms and conditions?

Terms and conditions should cover the scope of services, price and payment terms, delivery, returns and cancellation policy, warranties and liability limits, complaint procedures, applicable law and jurisdiction, and information about the trader - company name, registered office and tax number. They must be clear, accessible and comply with mandatory consumer protection rules that cannot be waived to the detriment of consumers.

How does GDPR affect small online shops in Xanthi?

GDPR applies regardless of size. You must have a lawful basis for processing personal data, provide a privacy notice, implement technical and organisational security measures, handle data subject rights such as access and deletion, and in some cases maintain records of processing or appoint a data protection officer. For processing that is likely to result in a high risk to individuals, a data protection impact assessment is required. Non-compliance can lead to fines and reputational harm.

What happens if a customer demands a refund for an online purchase?

Under distance selling rules, consumers generally have a right to withdraw from a purchase within a cooling-off period starting from receipt of goods or conclusion of a service contract, subject to exceptions. Businesses must provide information about the right to withdraw and handle refunds within statutory timeframes. Consumers can file complaints with consumer authorities or bring claims in civil court if disputes are not resolved.

Am I liable if users post infringing content on my platform?

Intermediate hosting providers and platforms have limited liability for third-party content if they act as mere conduits or hosts and do not have actual knowledge of illegal activity or fail to act expeditiously after obtaining such knowledge. However, platforms that play an active role in content management or curation may have higher obligations. A careful notice-and-takedown policy and rapid response process is essential.

What should I do in case of a data breach affecting customers?

First, contain and assess the breach with technical teams. Determine whether the breach meets the threshold for notifying the supervisory authority and affected individuals. Under GDPR, the supervisory authority must be informed without undue delay and, where feasible, within 72 hours if the breach is likely to result in a risk to individuals. Document the incident, corrective actions and communications. Legal advice is recommended early to manage regulatory, contractual and reputational risks.

How are cross-border online sales within the EU treated for VAT purposes?

Cross-border sales within the EU have special VAT rules. Businesses need to determine the place of supply and the applicable VAT rate. For distance sales of goods to consumers, the EU introduced the OSS VAT scheme which simplifies VAT reporting and collection for sellers selling to multiple EU member states. Registration and compliance obligations depend on sales volume and the chosen VAT scheme. Consult an accountant and lawyer for registration and invoicing rules.

Can I use standard templates for privacy policies and terms I find online?

Templates can be a useful starting point but they often need to be tailored to reflect your specific processing activities, technical setup, business model and compliance obligations. Generic templates may fail to meet GDPR requirements or local consumer law. A lawyer should review and adapt templates to reduce legal risks and ensure clarity for users.

What are the main remedies if a customer claims non-conformity of a product bought online?

Consumers generally have remedies that can include repair, replacement, price reduction or contract termination depending on the circumstances and the severity of the non-conformity. Time limits apply for bringing claims. Businesses must be careful to follow statutory procedures for investigating and responding to complaints to avoid escalation or enforcement actions.

Where do I file a complaint about an online trader or service in Greece?

You can start by contacting the trader to seek a resolution. If that fails, you may file a complaint with the General Secretariat for Consumer Affairs or seek alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. For data protection issues, contact the Hellenic Data Protection Authority. For intellectual property violations, you may take measures through the competent administrative body or civil courts. Local legal counsel can advise on the most effective route and prepare documentation.

Additional Resources

Useful bodies and organisations to contact or consult when dealing with e-commerce and internet law issues in Xanthi include:

- Hellenic Data Protection Authority - for data protection guidance and complaints.

- General Secretariat for Consumer Affairs - for consumer rights enforcement and information.

- Ministry of Digital Governance - for digital policy, electronic services and e-signature matters.

- Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) - for tax and VAT obligations.

- Hellenic Industrial Property Organization - for trademark and industrial property registration and disputes.

- Local chambers of commerce and the Xanthi Bar Association - for local business support, lists of local lawyers and mediation services.

- EU resources - including EU consumer rights and online dispute resolution information. These can help with cross-border issues and provide templates or guidance produced at EU level.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance in e-commerce and internet law in Xanthi, follow these practical steps:

- Gather basic documents - prepare copies of your contracts, terms and conditions, privacy policy, invoices, customer communications, complaint records and any technical reports related to a dispute or incident.

- Identify the main legal issues - data breach, consumer complaint, contract drafting, taxation, IP infringement or regulatory compliance. This helps you find a lawyer with the right specialization.

- Look for a specialist - search for a lawyer or law firm experienced in e-commerce, IT law, data protection and consumer protection. Check credentials with the Xanthi Bar Association and ask about previous cases and local court experience.

- Ask for an initial consultation - many lawyers provide a first meeting to outline your options and potential costs. Prepare questions about likely outcomes, timelines and fees.

- Consider alternative dispute resolution - mediation or negotiation can be faster and less costly than court proceedings. A lawyer can advise on ADR options and represent you in those procedures.

- Act promptly on data breaches and consumer claims - there are statutory deadlines and notification obligations. Early legal advice can reduce penalties and limit reputational damage.

- Keep compliance under review - if you operate online, schedule periodic compliance audits for privacy, consumer protection, tax and IP to reduce future risk.

If you are unsure where to start, contact a local Xanthi lawyer with e-commerce and internet law experience. They can assess your situation, explain the law that applies and propose a clear plan to protect your business or enforce your rights.