Best Project Finance Lawyers in Florina

About Project Finance Law in Florina, Greece

Florina is a regional unit in Western Macedonia, Greece, where infrastructure, energy, and agribusiness projects frequently rely on project finance structures. In these deals, an SPV is created to own and operate the project, with lenders repaid from project cash flows rather than the sponsor’s balance sheet. National law and EU procurement rules guide how contracts are awarded, financed, and monitored in Florina.

Greek project finance practice blends civil law concepts with EU procurement and financing rules. Local counsel in Florina helps coordinate between national requirements and regional permissions, such as land use and environmental approvals. Given regional specifics, experienced attorneys ensure that the deal structure aligns with both Greek civil code and EU competition standards.

Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement and Directive 2014/23/EU on concessions shape Greek project finance practice by requiring competition, transparency, and clear contract terms - EUR-Lex.

For residents of Florina, engaging a local lawyer who understands the interplay of county and national authorities is essential. A Florina-based solicitor can manage permit applications, land rights issues, and local regulatory filings while coordinating with national ministries. This local expertise helps prevent delays that are common in regional projects.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Engaging a project finance attorney near Florina is often essential to navigate complex Greek and EU requirements. The following real-world scenarios illustrate concrete needs you may face.

• SPV formation and governance - You need a lawyer to draft the SPV’s shareholders agreement, appoint directors, and align governance with Greek corporate and civil codes. Without precise terms, disputes over control can stall financing.
• Financing documents and security packages - A legal counsel should review and negotiate loan agreements, intercreditor arrangements, and security interests such as pledges and mortgages under Greek law. This protects lender rights and sponsor obligations.
• Permits and environmental licensing - Florina projects often require environmental impact assessments and regional permits. A lawyer coordinates filings with the Ministry of Environment and the local regional authority to avoid regulatory holds.
• Land rights and project siting - Real estate due diligence, cadastral checks, and negotiations with landowners or municipalities are essential. A lawyer mitigates risk of title defects or disputed easements that could derail construction.
• Procurement and bidding for public projects - If the project involves public funding or a concession, counsel handles bid documents, contract draftings, and compliance with public procurement rules in Greece and the EU.
• Cross-border or multi-jurisdictional financing - When lenders or investors come from outside Greece, you need counsel to harmonize Greek law with foreign law provisions, currency risk, and cross-border tax issues.

Local Laws Overview

Greek project finance is shaped by national statutes and EU directives that Greece implements through local and national authorities. The main frameworks most often cited in Florina deals include public-private partnership laws, public procurement codes, and EU directives transposed into Greek law.

• Law 3389/2005 on Public-Private Partnerships and Concessions - This statute governs how private partners participate in public projects and concessions in Greece. It remains a central reference for PPP transactions and related risk allocation.
• Law 4412/2016 on Public Procurement - This procurement code governs how public contracts are advertised, bid, and awarded. It has been amended several times to reflect EU directive updates and national procurement reforms.
• EU Directives 2014/23/EU and 2014/24/EU on concessions and public procurement - These directives set EU-wide rules for bid competition, contract transparency, and award procedures. Greece transposed them into national law, affecting Florina project financings.

External references you can consult for exact text and updates:

Directive 2014/24/EU and Directive 2014/23/EU translated into Greek law influence procurement and concessions in Greece - EUR-Lex.

Greek Law 4412/2016 on Public Procurement implements EU procurement directives in Greece and governs tender procedures for projects in Florina - EUR-Lex.

For official guidance and texts, consult government and EU resources. The Greek government portal Gov.gr provides access to laws, tender notices, and PPP guidelines, while the Ministry of Development and Investment directs policy on private investments and PPP instruments. EU legal texts are available at EUR-Lex for direct reference to directives and their transpositions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is project finance in Greece and how does it work in Florina?

Project finance is a loan structure repaid from project cash flows rather than sponsor assets. In Florina, it commonly supports energy, infrastructure, and agribusiness projects through an SPV and lender covenants.

How does an SPV help in a Florina project finance deal?

An SPV isolates project risk and limits liability to the project. It enables lenders to assess cash flow sufficiency and simplifies equity and debt allocation.

Do I need a Greek solicitor for a Florina project?

Yes. A Florina-based lawyer understands local permits, land rights, and regional administration processes that national firms may miss.

How much does a project finance transaction cost in Florina?

Costs vary by project size. Typical fees include due diligence, document drafting, and closing costs, usually a portion of the total financing amount.

How long does due diligence take for a Greek project?

Due diligence often runs 4 to 8 weeks for smaller deals and 8 to 16 weeks for large, multi-source financings with environmental and land checks.

Do I need local permits for a wind farm in Florina?

Yes. You must obtain environmental, land-use, and construction permits from regional authorities and the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

Can a municipality participate as a partner in a project?

Municipal participation is possible through concessions or PPP structures, subject to public procurement and sector-specific rules.

Should I consider cross-border lending for a Florina project?

Cross-border lenders can offer favorable terms, but you will need additional compliance with foreign exchange, tax, and regulatory requirements.

Is a bank loan the main funding source for project finance?

Bank debt is common, but many projects also use export credit agency support, multi-lateral financing, or equity from sponsors and investors.

What permits are required for environmental licensing in Florina?

The project may require an Environmental Impact Assessment and regional environmental permits, depending on sector and location.

Do I need a local law firm in Florina or can I work with Athens lawyers?

Local familiarity is valuable for regional filings, but Athens firms with Florina connections can also manage the process; a joint approach is common.

Additional Resources

• Gov.gr - Official Greek government portal with access to laws, tenders, and PPP guidelines. Function: central hub for legal texts and public procurement notices. Visit Gov.gr
• Ministry of Development and Investment (Mindev) - Policy guidance on private investment, PPP instruments, and sector-specific programs. Function: policy maker and regulator for investment and PPPs in Greece. Visit Mindev
• EUR-Lex - EU Directives on public procurement and concessions, with Greek transpositions and official texts. Function: primary source for EU rules that shape Greek project finance. Visit EUR-Lex

Next Steps

1. Define the project scope and site in Florina - clarify sector, capacity, and expected timelines within 2 weeks of initial inquiry.
2. Assemble a local project team - hire a Florina-based solicitor and engineers to begin due diligence within 2-4 weeks.
3. Prepare a preliminary financing plan - outline debt, equity, and potential lenders or ECAs within 3-6 weeks.
4. Initiate regulatory and permitting work - start environmental, land, and municipal approvals in parallel with due diligence, 4-8 weeks.
5. Draft and negotiate term sheet with potential lenders - align project economics with risk allocations over 2-6 weeks.
6. Finalize due diligence and close the financing - complete documentation, security packages, and closing within 8-16 weeks after term sheet.
7. Implement compliance and ongoing governance - set reporting, audits, and covenant monitoring with the SPV and lenders after closing.