Best Merger & Acquisition Lawyers in Melissia

About Merger & Acquisition Law in Melissia, Greece

Merger and acquisition - M&A - activity in Melissia follows the national legal framework of Greece and the relevant European Union rules. Melissia is part of the Athens metropolitan area, so most corporate, regulatory and court filings are handled through national bodies and Athens-based registries. Greek M&A practice covers a wide range of transactions - share deals, asset purchases, statutory mergers and demergers, and cross-border transactions. Typical steps include negotiation of commercial terms, due diligence, signing of transaction documents, regulatory clearances when required, closing formalities and post-closing integration.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

M&A transactions are legally and commercially complex. You should consult a lawyer when you encounter any of the following situations:

- You are buying or selling shares or assets of a company located in or operating from Melissia and need to confirm title, corporate authority and liabilities.

- The target operates in a regulated sector - for example energy, telecoms, financial services, transport, or healthcare - and licences or approvals must be transferred or reissued.

- The transaction may trigger merger control review, foreign investment screening or other regulatory approvals at the national or EU level.

- Employees are affected by a transfer of undertaking and you need to comply with Greek employment law and EU rules on transfers.

- There are potential tax liabilities, outstanding litigation, environmental risks or complex contractual arrangements that require careful allocation between buyer and seller.

- You need to draft or negotiate key contracts - share purchase agreement - SPA, asset purchase agreement - APA, merger plan, security documents, or escrow arrangements - to protect your commercial and legal interests.

Local Laws Overview

This section summarizes the main legal areas that shape M&A in Melissia and across Greece.

- Company law - Corporate transactions are governed by Greek company law, which sets rules on approvals, directors duties, minority protections, statutory mergers and demergers, and the form of corporate documents. The law includes provisions for anonymous companies and private limited companies, and many corporate acts must be notarised and registered.

- Commercial registry - The General Commercial Registry - GEMI - is the public registry where company data, articles of association, mergers, and other corporate filings are lodged and published. Registration is often required to complete formal steps in a transaction.

- Competition law - The Hellenic Competition Commission reviews concentrations that meet statutory thresholds. Large transactions may also be subject to the EU Merger Regulation if they have cross-border effects.

- Securities law - If a target is a listed company or the transaction involves listed securities, disclosure rules and market conduct obligations under the Hellenic Capital Market Commission apply.

- Employment law - Employees benefit from protection on transfers of undertakings, pursuant to EU rules implemented in Greece. Collective agreements, severance, notification and consultation obligations need to be addressed.

- Tax law - Greek tax rules determine VAT, transfer taxes, capital gains tax, and the tax treatment of asset versus share deals. Tax clearance certificates and structuring to manage tax exposure are common parts of M&A advice.

- Sectoral regulation - Specific industries may require ministry or regulator approvals for ownership changes, licence transfers or operational permits. Examples include energy, telecoms, transport, pharmaceuticals and banking.

- Real estate and environmental law - Title searches, land registry checks and environmental due diligence are essential when property or environmental liabilities are part of the deal.

- Foreign investment screening - Certain strategic sectors may be subject to government screening of non-EU investment or ownership changes. National rules and EU-level frameworks can both apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of M&A transactions are most common in Melissia?

The most common structures are share deals, asset deals, statutory mergers and demergers, and joint ventures. The choice depends on tax, liability allocation, contractual consents and commercial aims.

Do I need regulatory approval for every M&A deal?

No. Only transactions that meet thresholds under competition law, or that affect regulated sectors or strategic assets, require approval. Your lawyer can assess whether notification to the Hellenic Competition Commission or other regulators is necessary.

How long does a typical M&A deal take?

Timelines vary widely. A straightforward private-company share sale can close in a few weeks after due diligence. Complex deals with regulatory clearances, tax restructuring or cross-border issues can take several months to a year. Early planning reduces delay risk.

What is included in legal due diligence?

Legal due diligence reviews corporate documents, ownership, contracts, litigation, employment issues, regulatory licences, intellectual property, real estate, environmental risks and material obligations. Findings shape warranties, indemnities and price adjustments.

Is it better to buy assets or shares?

Asset deals allow buyers to pick specific assets and avoid unknown liabilities, but they can trigger transfer taxes, require third-party consents and may be operationally complex. Share deals often preserve contracts and licences but transfer liabilities with the company. The optimal choice depends on tax, liability and operational considerations.

What protections can a buyer get in the SPA?

Common protections include contractual warranties and representations, indemnities for specified risks, price adjustments or earn-outs, escrow arrangements, completion accounts and conditions precedent to closing. Limitations on liability and survival periods are also negotiated.

How are employee rights handled in a transfer?

Greek law implements EU rules on transfers of undertakings. Employees usually transfer to the new employer on the same terms, with obligations to inform and consult employee representatives. Pay, seniority and collective agreement rights are typically preserved.

Where do I register the transaction?

Corporate changes such as mergers, amendments to articles and share transfers (when registration is required) are filed with the General Commercial Registry - GEMI. Real estate transfers are filed with the local land registry and tax authorities for transfer tax purposes.

What tax issues should I watch for?

Consider VAT implications, transfer taxes, capital gains tax, potential tax liabilities of the target, and the tax consequences of the deal structure. A tax advisor should be involved early to identify efficient structuring and any clearance needed from the tax authority.

How do I choose the right local lawyer?

Look for experience in Greek M&A, knowledge of the relevant sector, and a team able to handle corporate, tax, regulatory and employment issues. Local presence in Athens is useful for filings and court work. Ask for representative matters and client references.

Additional Resources

When seeking guidance or official procedures, the following bodies and organizations are commonly relevant in Greek M&A matters:

- General Commercial Registry - GEMI - for company registrations and filings.

- Hellenic Competition Commission - for merger control and competition clearance.

- Hellenic Capital Market Commission - for rules affecting listed companies and securities.

- Independent Authority for Public Revenue - AADE - for tax matters and clearances.

- Relevant sectoral regulators - depending on the target company - for example energy, telecoms, banking or transport regulators.

- Local chambers of commerce and industry associations for market information and practical support.

- Greek Bar Association and local Athens bar associations for lists of qualified lawyers and professional standards.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance with an M&A transaction in Melissia - or elsewhere in Greece - follow these practical steps:

- Arrange an initial meeting with an experienced Greek M&A lawyer to discuss objectives, deal structure preferences and material risks.

- Prepare or gather key documents: corporate documents, recent financial statements, material contracts, licences, employment records and any environmental reports. This accelerates due diligence.

- Sign a non-disclosure agreement to allow exchange of confidential information before detailed due diligence and negotiations.

- Commission a legal and tax due diligence tailored to the deal structure and sector. Use findings to draft or revise the SPA or APA, and to plan for regulatory filings.

- Identify applicable regulatory notifications and start pre-notification discussions with regulators when helpful. Factor regulatory timing into your closing schedule.

- Negotiate commercial terms and legal protections - warranties, indemnities, completion conditions and escrow mechanisms - and document the deal.

- Complete closing formalities - notarial acts, GEMI registration, land registry filings and tax clearances - and implement post-closing integration and compliance steps.

If you are unsure where to start, schedule a focused consultation with a local lawyer who handles M&A. Early legal involvement reduces risk, uncovers hidden liabilities and helps achieve a transaction that meets your commercial goals.