Best Project Finance Lawyers in Melissia

About Project Finance Law in Melissia, Greece

Project finance refers to the financing of long-term infrastructure, energy, real estate and other large capital-intensive projects where repayment depends primarily on the cash flow generated by the project itself. In Melissia, Greece - a suburban area in the Attica region - project finance matters are handled under Greek national law, within the regulatory framework that applies across the country and the European Union. Typical projects in and around Melissia include renewable energy installations, local infrastructure works, commercial property developments and concession-style arrangements for public services.

Because Melissia sits inside the Municipality of Penteli and the broader Attica administrative region, local planning, building and environmental approvals are obtained from municipal and regional authorities, while national regulators govern many aspects of financing, procurement and sector-specific licenses. Project finance transactions commonly use a special-purpose vehicle - a corporation that holds the project assets and contracts - and rely on a combination of equity, bank debt, bonds or other structured financing.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Project finance transactions are legally complex and involve multiple players - sponsors, lenders, contractors, suppliers, off-takers, insurers and public authorities. You will likely need an experienced lawyer in the following common situations:

- Structuring the project vehicle and negotiating corporate documents to limit sponsor liability and allocate risk.

- Drafting and negotiating financing agreements, security packages and intercreditor arrangements.

- Preparing, reviewing and negotiating project contracts such as EPC agreements, O&M contracts, concession agreements and power purchase agreements.

- Conducting legal due diligence on land, permits, third-party contracts, title, encumbrances and corporate matters.

- Advising on regulatory compliance - planning and building permits, environmental approvals, grid connection, energy licensing and sector-specific requirements.

- Handling public procurement and PPP procedures if the project involves a public authority or concession process.

- Structuring tax-efficient financing, VAT treatment and advising on subsidies, incentives or state-aid issues.

- Managing dispute prevention and dispute resolution - negotiation, mediation, arbitration or litigation in Greek courts.

- Enforcing security and handling insolvency or restructuring if the project experiences financial distress.

Local Laws Overview

Project finance in Melissia is governed by a combination of national Greek law, EU law and local administrative rules. Key legal areas to understand include the following.

- Corporate law - rules that determine legal forms for project companies, governance, shareholder rights and capital structure. Common vehicles include private companies with limited liability and single-member entities tailored for project purposes.

- Contract law and civil code provisions - general principles that govern the validity, performance and enforcement of contracts such as EPCs, PPAs and concession agreements.

- Public procurement and concession law - procedures and transparency rules apply where a public authority awards a contract, concession or outsources services. Competitive tendering, selection criteria and remedies are tightly regulated.

- Land, planning and building law - local building permits, zoning rules and land use plans are controlled at municipal and regional level. Projects usually require building permits, zoning approvals and compliance with the national building code.

- Environmental and permitting law - environmental impact assessments, environmental permits and compliance with EU environmental directives are critical for larger projects or projects affecting protected areas.

- Energy sector regulation - if the project relates to electricity, gas or renewables, sectoral regulators set licensing, grid connection and market participation rules. Connection offers and grid access obligations are often key to project viability.

- Tax and incentives - corporate tax, VAT, withholding tax and incentives for investments, including renewable energy support schemes and investment encouragement programs, affect project economics and financing structure.

- Security and enforcement - available security types include mortgages on real estate, pledges on shares, assignments of receivables and floating charges on movable assets. Enforcement generally proceeds through court-based mechanisms or agreed non-judicial enforcement where permitted.

- Insolvency and restructuring - national insolvency rules determine creditor priorities, collection procedures and options for restructuring a distressed project company. Lenders often build protective covenants into finance documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is project finance and how does it differ from corporate finance?

Project finance finances a specific project on a non-recourse or limited-recourse basis, meaning lenders rely mainly on the project s cash flow and assets for repayment. Corporate finance relies on the general creditworthiness and balance sheet of a sponsoring company. Project finance typically uses an SPV to isolate project risks from sponsors.

Which local authorities in Melissia handle permits and approvals?

Local matters - such as building permits and certain planning approvals - are handled by the Municipality of Penteli and the Region of Attica. Regional or national authorities deal with larger planning schemes, environmental assessments and sectoral licenses. Early engagement with municipal planning departments is important to identify local requirements.

Do I need environmental permits for a project in Melissia?

Many projects require environmental reviews or permits, especially if they involve significant land use change, construction, waste, emissions or work near protected areas. Larger projects may need an environmental impact assessment. A lawyer can help determine the exact environmental obligations and coordinate with environmental consultants.

What corporate structure is commonly used for projects?

Most projects use a special-purpose vehicle - a separate limited-liability company created to own the project assets and contracts. The SPV isolates project risks, simplifies financing, and allows lenders to take security over project-specific assets and cash flows.

How are project contracts typically secured for lenders?

Lenders usually require a package of securities and contractual protections including mortgages on project land, pledges of shares in the SPV, assignment or pledge of receivables and bank accounts, and contractual step-in or direct agreement rights with contractors and off-takers. Intercreditor agreements coordinate rights among multiple creditors when present.

Are there special rules for public-private partnerships and concessions?

Yes. PPPs and concessions involve public procurement and specific concession rules that require transparent tendering, compliance with procurement timelines and remedies for unsuccessful bidders. Concession agreements allocate risks, set tariffs or payment mechanisms and include performance and termination regimes.

Can foreign investors participate and bring foreign financing?

Greece is part of the eurozone and generally allows foreign investment. Foreign lenders and investors commonly participate in Greek projects. Key considerations include currency exposure, tax treatment of cross-border payments, and applicable regulatory approvals for sensitive sectors.

What are typical project finance risks and how are they allocated?

Common risks include construction risk, completion delays, cost overruns, market or demand risk, regulatory changes, political risk, operations and maintenance risk, and force majeure events. Risk allocation is achieved through contract terms - for example, fixed-price EPC contracts allocate construction risk to the contractor, while PPAs or offtake agreements allocate revenue risk to the buyer or provide revenue guarantees.

How long does a project finance transaction take from planning to financial close?

Timelines vary widely. Small projects may complete in months, while large infrastructure or energy projects can take one to several years to reach financial close, due to permitting, environmental assessments, procurement, construction contracting and lender due diligence. Early legal planning shortens delays.

What should I expect in terms of legal costs and fees?

Legal fees depend on transaction complexity, number of parties and the amount of negotiation and due diligence required. Typical costs include advisor fees for legal, tax and technical due diligence, drafting and negotiation costs and fees related to regulatory filings. Fee structures vary - fixed fees, hourly rates and success fees or retainers are all common.

Additional Resources

Useful bodies and organizations to contact or consult when planning a project in Melissia include municipal and regional authorities, national ministries and sector regulators. Relevant institutions to consider are:

- The Municipality of Penteli - for local planning and building permits.

- The Region of Attica - for regional planning and approvals.

- The Ministry responsible for environment and energy - for environmental and sectoral policy guidance.

- The national energy regulator - for licensing and grid-connection matters in electricity and renewables.

- The national public procurement or concessions authority - for PPP and concession guidance and procedures.

- Tax authorities and the national revenue agency - for tax treatment, VAT and incentives reviews.

- Local chambers of commerce, professional associations and industry bodies - for market data, contacts and best practice guidance.

- Banks, international financial institutions and project lenders - for financing terms and market appetite.

- Experienced local law firms, technical engineering consultants and environmental advisors - for practical execution and compliance assistance.

Next Steps

If you need legal assistance for a project finance matter in Melissia, follow these practical next steps:

- Prepare a brief project summary - objectives, location, estimated capital needs, key counterparties and timeline.

- Compile preliminary documents - land titles or lease terms, any existing permits, key contracts or letters of intent.

- Engage a local lawyer with experience in project finance and the relevant sector - energy, construction, real estate or public procurement.

- Arrange technical and environmental advisors where needed - their reports will support legal due diligence and permit applications.

- Conduct a legal and regulatory risk assessment to map required permits, approvals and likely hurdles.

- Define a financing strategy - equity versus debt, preferred lenders or investors and proposed security structure.

- Start early engagement with local authorities and relevant national regulators to identify permit pathways and timelines.

- Use confidentiality agreements and staged information sharing to protect sensitive commercial information during negotiations.

Remember: this guide is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For decisions that affect your rights or liabilities, consult a qualified lawyer in Greece who can provide tailored advice based on the specific facts of your project.