Best Information Technology Lawyers in Elliniko

About Information Technology Law in Elliniko, Greece

Information Technology law in Elliniko follows the same national and EU legal framework that applies across Greece. Elliniko is part of the greater Athens area, so courts, regulators and professional services operating there are subject to Greek legislation and EU regulations. Key legal areas that affect IT matters include data protection, cybersecurity, electronic communications, e-commerce, intellectual property and contract law. Because many IT services and data flows are cross-border, EU rules such as the General Data Protection Regulation - GDPR and eIDAS for electronic identification and trust services play a central role alongside national laws and regulatory guidance.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

IT projects and disputes often combine technical complexity with legal risk. You may need a lawyer if you face any of the following situations:

- You plan to collect, store or process personal data and need compliant privacy policies, processing records and lawful bases for processing.

- You experienced a data breach or cybersecurity incident and must manage notification obligations and legal exposure.

- You are negotiating cloud, software-as-a-service or outsourcing contracts and need to allocate liability, data responsibilities and service levels.

- You develop or license software and need to protect intellectual property or resolve disputes over ownership, open-source use or infringement.

- You operate an online store or digital platform and must comply with e-commerce, consumer protection and electronic payment rules.

- You are an employer or public body intending to monitor employees or use workplace surveillance technologies and need to comply with privacy and labor rules.

- You face a regulatory investigation or a claim before Greek courts related to IT, data protection or cyber incidents.

Local Laws Overview

This summary highlights the most relevant legal instruments and authorities for IT matters in Elliniko and Greece:

- GDPR - General Data Protection Regulation: An EU regulation that directly applies in Greece and sets requirements for personal data processing, data subject rights, records of processing activities, data protection by design and by default, and breach notification duties.

- Greek Law 4624/2019 and related national provisions: Implements and supplements aspects of GDPR in Greece, sets national details such as specific rules on certain processing activities and supervisory procedures.

- Electronic Communications and Privacy - Greek law on privacy in electronic communications: Governs unsolicited communications, metadata, cookies and certain aspects of telecommunications privacy.

- eIDAS Regulation: An EU regulation providing the legal framework for electronic identification, signatures and trust services - relevant for electronic contracting and certified signatures.

- Cybersecurity rules - NIS Directive transposition and national cybersecurity laws and policies: Greece has implemented EU cybersecurity rules and established national authorities and incident reporting requirements for critical services and digital service providers.

- Intellectual Property law: Copyright law and related statutes protect software, databases and creative works. Trademark and patent regimes protect brands and inventions, respectively.

- Contract and Commercial law: Greek civil and commercial law govern software licenses, service agreements and liability. Standard civil rules on formation, performance and breach of contracts apply.

- Consumer protection and e-commerce rules: Specific obligations apply to online sellers and platforms, such as information duties, withdrawal rights and unfair commercial practices restrictions.

- Regulatory authorities: The Hellenic Data Protection Authority - the national privacy regulator - supervises GDPR compliance. The Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission oversees electronic communications. The National Cybersecurity Authority sets cybersecurity policy and handles certain incidents. Local courts in Athens handle litigation arising from IT disputes in Elliniko.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to appoint a Data Protection Officer for my company in Elliniko?

Whether you must appoint a Data Protection Officer - DPO - depends on the nature and scale of your processing. Under GDPR, a DPO is mandatory for public authorities, for organisations whose core activities require regular and systematic monitoring of data subjects on a large scale, or for organisations processing special categories of data on a large scale. Even if not mandatory, engaging a DPO or an external privacy advisor can help maintain compliance. A local lawyer can assess your specific situation and document the decision.

What should I do immediately after a data breach?

First, take steps to contain and remediate the incident - preserve evidence, stop ongoing leakage and secure systems. Assess the nature and scope of the breach, who is affected and the likely harm. Under GDPR, you may have an obligation to notify the Hellenic Data Protection Authority without undue delay and, in some cases, to inform affected data subjects. Document your assessment and decisions. Notify your insurer and consult a lawyer experienced in incident response to manage legal obligations and potential claims.

Can I transfer personal data from Greece to servers outside the EU?

Transfers of personal data outside the EU are restricted by GDPR. You may transfer data only where an adequacy decision exists, or using appropriate safeguards such as the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses and a documented transfer impact assessment. In some cases, binding corporate rules or specific derogations apply. Transfers to jurisdictions without equivalent protections require careful technical, contractual and legal safeguards and often legal advice to implement correctly.

What rules apply if I sell software or digital services online to Greek consumers?

Online sales to consumers must comply with consumer protection law and e-commerce rules. You must provide clear pre-contractual information, contract terms, a right of withdrawal where applicable, transparent pricing, and compliant invoices and receipts. For subscription services, inform customers about renewal terms and cancellation procedures. If you target Greek consumers, national consumer protection provisions will apply in addition to EU directives embodied in Greek law.

How can I protect my software and source code in Greece?

Software can be protected by copyright as a literary work under Greek copyright law, which covers code and its expression. You can also protect commercially valuable elements by contracts - strong licensing agreements, confidentiality clauses and assignment provisions. For distinctive signs or names use trademark protection. For inventions related to software solutions, consider patent protection if the invention meets patentability requirements. A lawyer with IP experience can prepare contracts and advise on registration and enforcement strategies.

What should a cloud contract include to protect my business?

A cloud or SaaS contract should clearly allocate responsibilities for security, data protection, data breach notification, confidentiality, uptime and service levels, data portability, data deletion at termination and audit rights. It should address cross-border data transfers and include indemnities and limits of liability. Review contractual encryption, subcontractor rules and the provider's insurance. Custom clauses may be needed to meet GDPR obligations and regulatory requirements in specific sectors.

Can an employer monitor employee emails or devices in Greece?

Employee monitoring is allowed only to the extent necessary, proportionate and lawful. GDPR and Greek labor and privacy rules protect employee personal data. Employers must have a legitimate basis for monitoring, inform employees in advance, limit scope and retain data only as necessary. Secret or excessive monitoring may violate privacy and labor rights. Consult a lawyer to design compliant policies and notices before implementing monitoring technologies.

How do I enforce my rights if a Greek regulator or company violates my data privacy rights?

You can file a complaint with the Hellenic Data Protection Authority, which investigates GDPR violations and can impose fines and corrective measures. You may also bring civil claims for damages in Greek courts. If the issue concerns consumer rights or unfair practices, consumer protection authorities may also be relevant. A lawyer can help prepare and submit complaints, represent you before regulators and bring litigation if necessary.

What are common pitfalls for startups and small businesses in IT law?

Common pitfalls include inadequate data processing records and privacy notices, weak contractual protections in vendor and customer agreements, improper handling of open-source licenses, unclear ownership of code and IP between founders and contractors, and lack of incident response planning or insurance. Addressing these early with tailored contracts, privacy compliance measures and clear internal policies reduces legal and commercial risk.

When should I involve a lawyer versus handling the issue internally?

Consult a lawyer when legal uncertainty could lead to regulatory fines, contractual exposure or litigation - for example, when drafting or negotiating cloud and licensing contracts, responding to data breaches, implementing complex cross-border data transfers, conducting employee monitoring programs, defending regulatory investigations or enforcing intellectual property rights. For routine compliance tasks, companies may handle internal checks, but a lawyer helps ensure documents and procedures are legally robust and defensible.

Additional Resources

Below are the types of bodies and resources that can be helpful when seeking legal or regulatory guidance in Elliniko:

- Hellenic Data Protection Authority - national regulator for data protection matters and complaint handling.

- National Cybersecurity Authority - for cybersecurity policy, incident reporting and guidance.

- Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission - regulator for electronic communications and certain online services rules.

- Athens Bar Association - for referrals to licensed lawyers experienced in IT law practicing in the Athens metropolitan area, including Elliniko.

- Greek Ministry of Digital Governance and relevant government departments - for national digital policy, e-government and trust services information.

- Professional associations and industry bodies - technology trade associations, startup hubs and chambers of commerce often provide guidance, sample contracts and training.

- Legal and technical publications and training providers - for up-to-date information on GDPR, cybersecurity and e-commerce compliance.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance in Information Technology in Elliniko, consider the following steps:

- Define the problem clearly - gather contracts, policies, incident reports, communications and any technical evidence or timelines.

- Identify the likely legal areas affected - data protection, contract, IP, employment or regulatory compliance.

- Contact a lawyer with IT, privacy or cybersecurity experience - request an initial consultation to assess risks and costs. Use the Athens Bar Association for referrals if needed.

- Ask for a scope of work and fee estimate - consider fixed-fee options for discrete tasks like contract review or incident response retainers for breaches.

- Implement immediate protective measures if there is an imminent risk - contain security incidents, preserve evidence and communicate carefully according to legal advice.

- Keep records of communications and decisions - regulators and courts will expect documented steps to show compliance and mitigation efforts.

- Follow up with a compliance plan - update policies, contracts and employee training to prevent recurrence and reduce future legal exposure.

Working with a qualified local lawyer will help you navigate Greek and EU rules efficiently and reduce legal risk while enabling your IT projects to proceed with confidence.