Best Structured Finance Lawyers in Rethymno

When a Rethymno financing deal needs specialist legal structuring

Structured finance work in Rethymno often involves arranging finance around identifiable assets or cash flows. Examples include hotel income, tourism-related receivables, property portfolios, and funding for a local business or development project.

A lawyer can help choose and document a suitable structure, such as an asset-backed loan or securitisation, and check how it works under Greek law. The work may include reviewing the assets, negotiating finance documents, obtaining corporate approvals, and arranging any required security registrations.

Greek national law applies in Rethymno; there is no separate local structured-finance regime. Local property records and the characteristics of a seasonal business can still affect due diligence, security and transaction timing.

Situations where a lawyer can protect the transaction

• A hotel owner is seeking finance against property or future room revenue and needs the lender’s security and repayment terms reviewed.
• A Rethymno business plans to transfer or finance invoices, bookings or other receivables and needs to confirm which claims can be transferred and how debtors must be notified.
• A lender or investor is buying a loan portfolio secured by property in the area and needs to verify ownership, registered charges, borrower records and enforcement risks.
• A company is raising money for a hotel renovation or tourism project and needs help with financing conditions, corporate approvals and drawdown requirements.
• A transaction includes property collateral whose records are held in a land registry or cadastral system, requiring checks on title and the registration of security.
• A foreign investor is financing a Greek borrower and needs the documents, payment arrangements and security package aligned with Greek law and the deal’s other governing law.

Greek laws and rules relevant to these transactions

Law 3156/2003 addresses bond loans and the securitisation of claims, including claims from real estate. It remains a key Greek-law reference when assessing whether a proposed securitisation structure and transfer documentation are suitable.

EU Regulation 2017/2402 on securitisation has applied since 1 January 2019. It sets rules including due diligence, risk retention and transparency for securitisations within its scope, and includes a framework for simple, transparent and standardised securitisations.

Law 4354/2015 governs, among other matters, the transfer and management of non-performing loans. Its framework has been amended, including by Law 5072/2023, which introduced further rules concerning credit servicers and purchasers. The applicable requirements depend on the assets and parties involved.

Frequently asked questions

What does structured finance mean in a Greek transaction?

It generally means arranging finance around particular assets, receivables or cash flows rather than relying only on a borrower’s general credit. The documents may include asset transfers, security, payment priorities and servicing arrangements.

Do I need a lawyer for a property-backed business loan?

It is sensible to obtain legal advice before signing, especially where the loan is secured by property or includes extensive financial covenants. A lawyer can check title and registered charges, review the security documents, and explain the consequences of default.

Can a Rethymno tourism business finance future revenue?

Potentially, but the answer depends on the type of revenue, the contracts creating it, and the proposed transfer or security arrangement. Seasonal bookings, cancellation terms and debtor notification requirements may affect the structure.

Does the transaction have to be handled by a lawyer based in Rethymno?

No particular rule requires the lawyer to have an office in Rethymno. The important point is to use a lawyer qualified to advise on Greek law, with suitable experience in the transaction and access to local property or registry information where needed.

What information should I prepare for an initial review?

Gather the proposed term sheet, company documents, recent accounts, asset and receivables schedules, and existing loan or security agreements. For property, provide title documents and any available registry details so the lawyer can identify missing records early.

How much does structured finance legal advice cost?

Fees are not a single fixed amount for every transaction. They depend on the deal’s size, complexity, document volume, due diligence and negotiations; ask for a written scope and fee basis, and clarify whether registry, notary or other expenses are additional.

How long does a structured finance transaction take?

A straightforward review may take days or a few weeks, while a transaction involving multiple assets, parties or registrations can take several weeks or longer. Due diligence findings, lender approvals and incomplete property records can extend the timetable.

Can a small company use securitisation?

There is no general rule that only large companies may explore asset-backed finance. In practice, transaction costs, asset volume, investor requirements and regulatory obligations can make a simpler secured loan more suitable for a smaller business.

Is securitisation the same as a secured bank loan?

No. A secured loan is usually a direct borrowing supported by collateral, while securitisation typically involves transferring or financing a pool of claims through a defined structure. The right comparison depends on costs, control, risk allocation and the intended investors.

Do property charges need to be registered in Rethymno?

Where a transaction creates security over property, the relevant Greek registration and perfection requirements must be checked. The appropriate records and process depend on the property’s cadastral status, so a lawyer should verify the file with the competent registry.

Are foreign lenders or investors eligible to participate?

Foreign participation may be possible, but eligibility and documentation depend on the investor, transaction type and applicable regulatory rules. Cross-border tax, sanctions, licensing and payment issues may also need separate review.

Official resources in Rethymno and Greece

• Rethymno Bar Association: A local professional body that can provide information about the legal profession and its members.
• Hellenic Cadastre: The national authority for cadastral records and related property services; relevant when checking property data and registration matters.
• Hellenic Capital Market Commission: The securities-market authority; its information may be relevant where a transaction involves securities or regulated market participants.

Steps to find and hire the right lawyer

1. Write a short summary of the financing need, assets, parties, amount and target completion date. Allow a day or two to collect the basic facts.
2. Gather term sheets, company records, asset schedules, existing finance agreements and property documents before approaching lawyers.
3. Contact two or three Greek-law lawyers and ask about their work on securitisations, asset-backed lending or comparable financing transactions. Allow several days for initial responses.
4. Ask each candidate to identify the likely legal work, key risks, required local searches and any specialist advisers needed.
5. Compare written fee proposals, including scope, billing basis, exclusions and likely third-party costs. Confirm who will handle negotiations and property or registry checks.
6. Agree the engagement in writing and provide the requested documents promptly. Ask for an initial issues list and transaction timetable, commonly within the first one or two weeks of review.