Best Merger & Acquisition Lawyers in Moschato

About Merger & Acquisition Law in Moschato, Greece

Merger and acquisition - M&A - work in Moschato follows Greek national law and the same commercial practices used across Athens and the wider Attica region. Transactions can involve private companies, public companies, asset sales or share transfers, and often require a combination of corporate, tax, employment and regulatory approvals. Moschato is part of the greater Athens business area, so most M&A matters are handled under Greek courts, regulators and administrative procedures. Local counsel in or near Moschato can guide you through Greek statutory requirements, filings at the commercial registry and any sectoral approvals that apply to your target business.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

M&A transactions are complex and involve many legal risks. You may need a lawyer if you are:

- Buying or selling a business or significant assets.

- Buying or selling shares in a Greek company or a Greek subsidiary of a foreign group.

- Facing potential competition issues that could trigger mandatory filing with the competition authority.

- Dealing with regulated sectors - banking, insurance, energy, telecoms or transport - where regulatory consent is needed.

- Negotiating purchase agreements, shareholders agreements or financing documents.

- Conducting due diligence to uncover liabilities - tax, environmental, employment, contractual or litigation risks.

- Handling employee transfer, redundancy or collective bargaining issues following a transaction.

- Structuring the transaction to manage tax exposure and legal compliance.

A lawyer helps identify legal risks, prepare and negotiate transaction documents, obtain approvals, draft closing deliverables and manage post-closing obligations.

Local Laws Overview

Key legal areas that affect M&A in Moschato and Greece generally include:

- Corporate law - Governs company types and formalities for mergers, share transfers, increases or reductions of capital, and corporate governance requirements. Common forms include Societe Anonyme (Anonymi Etaireia - A.E.), Limited Liability Company (Eteria Periorismenis Efthinis - EPE) and the private company I.K.E.

- Contract law - Sale and purchase agreements, confidentiality agreements and representations and warranties are governed by Greek contract principles and civil code provisions.

- Competition law - The Hellenic Competition Commission reviews concentrations that meet statutory thresholds. Transactions that substantially impede competition may be blocked or approved with remedies.

- Regulatory approvals - Sectoral regulators may need to approve acquisitions involving banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, energy operators, telecoms providers and media businesses. Approvals often require additional documentation and public notices.

- Employment law - Transfers of business can affect employment relationships. Greek employment rules impose obligations to inform and consult employees, and to respect accrued rights. Collective agreements and social security contributions must be considered.

- Tax law - Corporate tax implications, stamp duties, VAT issues and transfer taxes affect structuring. Tax clearance certificates and transfer pricing considerations can be relevant for intra-group deals.

- Commercial registry and filings - Transactions are registered at the General Commercial Registry and company books must be updated. Certain corporate acts require notarisation and registration to be effective.

- Data protection and environmental law - Due diligence should include compliance with GDPR for personal data and environmental permits or liabilities where relevant.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between buying shares and buying assets?

Buying shares transfers ownership of the legal entity - including assets and liabilities - unless otherwise agreed. Buying assets lets the buyer select which assets and liabilities to acquire. Share deals can be simpler for continuity of contracts and permits but can bring hidden liabilities. Asset deals may require additional transfers or consents for contracts, permits and intellectual property.

How long does a typical M&A transaction take in Greece?

Timelines vary widely. A small private share sale may close in a few weeks if due diligence is limited. A complex deal with regulatory approvals, antitrust review, or cross-border elements can take several months - sometimes more than a year. Early planning and clear timelines for regulatory filings reduce surprises.

When is a competition filing required?

A competition filing is required when a transaction meets statutory turnover or market share thresholds under Greek merger control rules. If thresholds are met, parties must notify the Hellenic Competition Commission and obtain clearance before closing. Even if thresholds are not met, unilateral or coordinated effects on competition may attract scrutiny.

Do employee rights continue after a transfer of business?

Yes. Greek employment law protects employees on transfer of an undertaking or part of it. Terms and conditions usually transfer to the new employer, and there are obligations to inform and consult employee representatives. Specific procedures must be followed to avoid disputes or claims.

What should be included in due diligence?

Due diligence typically covers corporate records, financial statements, tax compliance, contracts and liabilities, litigation, employment matters, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, environmental liabilities and insurance. The scope depends on the business, the structure of the deal and the buyer's risk appetite.

Are there specific approvals needed for regulated industries?

Yes. Regulated sectors often require approval from the relevant authority - for example, the central bank for banks, the capital markets regulator for listed companies or portfolio transactions affecting market stability, the energy regulator for energy operators, and sectoral bodies for telecommunications or media. These approvals can have additional conditions and timelines.

What tax issues should I consider in an M&A?

Key tax issues include corporate income tax on gains, VAT treatment, stamp duties, transfer taxes, withholding taxes on payments, and the tax consequences for shareholders. Structuring the transaction - share sale, asset sale or merger - has different tax implications for buyers and sellers. Advance tax rulings or clearance certificates can sometimes be sought.

Can minority shareholders be forced to sell?

Mechanisms such as squeeze-out rights can apply where a majority shareholder reaches a required percentage of ownership, subject to statutory rules. Any compulsory acquisition or squeeze-out must comply with Greek law and fair valuation rules. Minority protections may be available through corporate law and shareholder agreements.

What documents are essential for signing at closing?

Typical closing documents include the executed sale and purchase agreement, shareholder resolutions or board minutes approving the transaction, regulatory clearance certificates, tax clearance or certificates of no liability where required, assignment deeds for assets or shares, updated company registers, and escrow or payment instruction documents.

How much do legal fees and transaction costs usually run?

Costs depend on complexity, size and required regulatory work. Legal fees may be fixed, hourly or success-fee based. In addition to legal fees, expect costs for notaries, filing fees, regulatory application fees, taxes and advisors such as tax specialists, accountants and possibly valuation experts. Obtain a clear fee estimate and scope from your lawyer at the start.

Additional Resources

Helpful institutions and resources for M&A matters in Moschato and Greece include:

- The Hellenic Competition Commission - for merger control and antitrust matters.

- The General Commercial Registry - for company filings and corporate records.

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

- The Hellenic Capital Market Commission - for transactions involving listed companies or capital markets rules.

- Sectoral regulators - banking regulator, energy regulator, telecoms regulator and others depending on the industry.

- Local bar associations and law firms in Athens and surrounding municipalities - for qualified M&A counsel.

- Chambers of commerce or trade associations - for local market information and contacts.

- The national data protection authority - for GDPR issues affecting employee or customer data during transactions.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance with an M&A in Moschato, consider these practical steps:

- Prepare a brief summary of the transaction - parties, assets or shares involved, timeline, and any known regulatory or employment issues.

- Contact an experienced M&A lawyer or firm with Greek corporate and regulatory expertise. Ask for a written engagement proposal outlining scope, fees and estimated timeline.

- Gather key documents early - company articles of association, recent financial statements, major contracts, employee lists and any regulatory licenses.

- Budget for due diligence and regulatory filings - include external advisors where specialized tax, environmental or sector expertise is needed.

- Agree on confidentiality protections - a confidentiality agreement is standard before sharing sensitive information.

- Establish a transaction timeline with milestones for due diligence, definitive agreements, regulatory notifications and closing conditions.

- Stay proactive about employee communication and regulatory cooperation to reduce delay and litigation risk.

Working with local counsel near Moschato gives you access to professionals familiar with Greek law and the administrative processes likely to affect your transaction. A clear plan and experienced legal support will help you manage risk and move the deal toward a successful closing.