Best Private Equity Lawyers in Melissia

About Private Equity Law in Melissia, Greece

Melissia is a suburb of Athens in the Attica region. Private equity activity that involves companies based in Melissia is governed primarily by national Greek law and by applicable European Union rules. That means investors, funds and local businesses operate under the Greek company law and commercial rules, tax law, securities and financial regulation, competition law and cross-border treaties when relevant. Local practitioners in Melissia typically work with the same regulatory framework as their counterparts across Athens - statutory rules are national and regulatory bodies are Athens-based. Private equity transactions in the area can include buyouts, minority investments, growth capital, real estate acquisitions and carve-outs from larger groups.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Private equity transactions raise many legal, commercial and regulatory issues. You may need a lawyer if you are:

- Forming or structuring an investment vehicle or fund - including advising on limited partnership, corporate fund or alternative investment fund structures.

- Negotiating or documenting a transaction - such as a share purchase, asset purchase, shareholders agreement, subscription agreement, or management incentive plan.

- Conducting or responding to due diligence - to identify liabilities, contractual obligations, regulatory risk, tax exposure, litigation or employment issues.

- Seeking regulatory approvals or dealing with licensing requirements - especially when the investment touches regulated sectors, financial services or cross-border capital flows.

- Addressing competition or merger control issues - where approval from the national competition authority may be necessary.

- Structuring exits - preparing for trade sale, secondary sale, initial public offering or other exit routes and optimizing tax outcomes.

- Resolving disputes - including enforcement of warranties, breach of shareholder obligations or post-closing indemnity claims.

- Managing compliance - such as anti-money laundering obligations, data protection compliance during due diligence and post-acquisition integration of HR, IP and contractual portfolios.

Local Laws Overview

The following are key legal areas that commonly affect private equity work in Melissia and the wider Greek market. This summary highlights what to expect - a local lawyer can advise on the detailed rules and recent statutory or regulatory changes.

- Company and corporate governance - Greek corporate law sets out the rules for societes anonymes, limited liability companies and partnerships. Private equity deals often use special purpose vehicles, shareholder agreements and management incentive plans to govern relationships and exit rights.

- Securities and financial regulation - the Hellenic Capital Market regulator oversees offer of securities and regulated fund activity. EU directives and rules on alternative investment fund managers apply to fund managers operating in Greece or targeting Greek investors.

- AIFM and fund regulation - managers running pooled investment vehicles may fall under the EU AIFM regime or national rules that implement it. Licensing, prudential requirements and ongoing reporting can apply to managers and some funds.

- Competition and merger control - the Hellenic Competition Commission reviews transactions that meet turnover thresholds to prevent anti-competitive concentrations. Notifications and remedies may be required.

- Taxation - Greek corporate tax, withholding tax, VAT and special tax regimes affect deal structuring and investor returns. Tax considerations drive where vehicles are domiciled, how exits are organized and post-deal reorganizations are executed.

- Employment and benefits - Greek employment law provides strong protections for employees. Redundancies, transfer of undertakings rules and management incentive plans require careful legal review.

- Real estate and permits - many private equity investments are in property-heavy businesses. Title, planning permissions, leases and local zoning rules are important.

- Intellectual property and contracts - ownership of trademarks, licences and key contracts must be clarified during diligence and at closing.

- Data protection - handling personal data during due diligence and after acquisition must comply with GDPR and national data protection rules enforced by the Hellenic Data Protection Authority.

- Anti-money laundering and sanctions - investor onboarding, source-of-funds checks and transaction monitoring are required under AML rules.

- Dispute resolution - Greek courts handle civil and commercial disputes, but arbitration and mediation are commonly used alternatives for faster or confidential resolution. Parties often choose arbitration clauses with an Athens seat or international arbitration venues for cross-border deals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is private equity and how does it differ from venture capital?

Private equity broadly refers to capital invested in private companies by funds, investors or strategic buyers, often to acquire control or significant influence and improve value before an exit. Venture capital is a subset that focuses on early-stage, high-growth startups. Private equity covers a wider set of strategies - buyouts, growth capital, turnaround investing and real estate - and often involves larger, more mature targets.

How do I structure a private equity investment in Greece?

Structures vary by investor objectives, tax planning and regulatory constraints. Common forms include direct share purchases of Greek companies, investment through Greek or foreign holding companies, and pooled vehicles such as limited partnerships or regulated funds. Legal advice will consider tax implications, investor liability, corporate governance and flexibility for exit.

Do I need a licence to operate a private equity fund in Greece?

It depends on the fund type and activities. Managers offering funds to the public or managing portfolios may fall under the EU alternative investment fund manager rules and require authorisation. Some smaller or closed-end vehicles can operate under national exemptions. A local lawyer or regulatory adviser can map the licensing and reporting obligations.

What are the main regulatory bodies I should know about?

Key authorities include the national securities regulator for capital markets matters, the national competition authority for merger control, the tax authority for tax issues, and the data protection authority for GDPR compliance. For AML matters, various supervisory bodies and financial institutions play a role. Local lawyers will interact with these bodies during filings and approvals.

How is due diligence carried out in a Greek private equity deal?

Due diligence typically covers corporate records, financial statements, tax history, employment contracts, commercial agreements, IP rights, litigation, regulatory compliance and environmental or real estate issues. In Greece, language, local registration systems and particular labour protections are common focuses. Due diligence should be planned with confidentiality safeguards and GDPR compliance in mind.

What tax issues should investors consider?

Investors should assess corporate tax on profits, withholding taxes on dividends and interest, VAT exposure, transfer pricing, capital gains tax on disposals and any available incentives for investment. Structuring decisions - such as using holding companies or debt financing - are influenced by Greek tax rules and international treaty considerations.

How long does a typical private equity transaction take in Greece?

Timing depends on deal complexity, regulatory approvals, diligence depth and securing financing. Small, straightforward deals may close in a few weeks, while complex buyouts requiring merger control clearance or restructuring can take several months. Engaging advisers early shortens delays.

Can foreign investors buy businesses in Melissia?

Yes. Foreign investors can acquire Greek companies and assets subject to the same legal framework as domestic investors. In some strategic sectors public-interest approvals or notifications may be required. Cross-border tax and repatriation rules should be considered.

What protections should minority investors seek?

Minority investors commonly negotiate governance rights - such as board appointment, veto rights on major decisions, anti-dilution protections, tag-along and drag-along rights, pre-emption rights on new issuances and exit mechanisms. Shareholder agreements are the primary tool to formalize these protections.

How are disputes usually resolved in private equity deals?

Parties frequently specify dispute resolution in transaction documents - arbitration is popular for speed and confidentiality, with Athens or an international venue as the seat. Greek courts handle civil enforcement and insolvency matters, and injunctions may be sought where urgent relief is needed. Choosing a clear jurisdiction and process reduces post-closing friction.

Additional Resources

The following types of institutions and resources are useful when seeking legal assistance or regulatory information for private equity matters in Melissia and Greece:

- National securities regulator for capital markets guidance and fund rules.

- National competition authority for merger control and antitrust information.

- General Commercial Registry for company filings and corporate status checks.

- National tax authority for tax registrations, rulings and compliance guidance.

- Hellenic Data Protection Authority for guidance on GDPR and data handling in transactions.

- Invest in Greece or similar investment promotion agencies for incentives and market information for foreign investors.

- Local bar association and reputable law firms with private equity, corporate and tax practices for tailored legal advice.

- Industry groups and chambers of commerce in Attica and Athens for networking and market insights.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance for a private equity matter in Melissia, consider the following practical steps:

- Clarify your objective - define whether you are investing, selling, forming a fund, or needing compliance support. Clear goals help lawyers give focused advice.

- Gather basic documents - corporate records, recent financials, material contracts and any regulatory filings. This speeds up preliminary advice.

- Seek an initial consultation - choose a lawyer or firm with private equity, M&A and tax experience in Greece. Prepare questions about experience, timing, fees and potential conflicts.

- Consider both local and international counsel - cross-border deals often benefit from a team that combines Greek law expertise with international tax and securities know-how.

- Obtain a written engagement letter - confirm scope, fees, deliverables and confidentiality terms before work begins.

- Plan the timeline and budget for due diligence, regulatory filings and closing mechanics - a realistic plan reduces surprises and helps manage counterpart expectations.

Working with experienced local counsel will help you navigate the legal, regulatory and commercial aspects of private equity in Melissia and the wider Greek market. If you are unsure where to start, a short initial meeting with a specialist firm in Athens will usually clarify the next legal and commercial steps.