Best Whistleblower & Qui Tam Lawyers in Vouliagmeni

About Whistleblower & Qui Tam Law in Vouliagmeni, Greece

Whistleblowing in Greece is governed primarily by Law 4990-2022, which implements the EU Whistleblowing Directive 2019-1937. This law protects people who report violations of EU law and certain areas of Greek law that affect the public interest. Vouliagmeni is part of the Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni in the Attica region, so public bodies and many private employers in and around Vouliagmeni must follow these national rules.

Under Greek law, protected reporting can be made through internal channels within an organization, through external channels run by designated authorities, or through public disclosure in specific situations. The law prohibits retaliation, requires confidentiality of the reporter’s identity, and sets timelines for acknowledging and following up on reports.

The term qui tam is used mainly in the United States to describe lawsuits where a private person sues on behalf of the government and may receive a share of the recovery. Greece does not have a US-style qui tam system. In Greece, the focus is on safe reporting and protection from retaliation rather than monetary rewards for the reporter.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A lawyer can help you choose the safest and most effective way to report. Deciding between internal reporting, external reporting to an authority, or public disclosure requires careful analysis of the facts, the risk of retaliation, and the urgency of the issue.

Legal advice is important if you are facing or fear retaliation such as dismissal, demotion, negative performance reviews, bullying, or blacklisting. A lawyer can help you seek interim protection, reinstatement, and damages if needed.

Whistleblowing often touches employment law, confidentiality and non-disclosure clauses, data protection, criminal law, and professional ethics. A lawyer can help you gather and preserve evidence lawfully, draft a precise report that meets legal standards, protect your identity, and interact with investigators while safeguarding your rights.

If an investigation involves multiple authorities or cross-border issues, or if the matter concerns regulated sectors such as finance, health, or public procurement, a lawyer with relevant experience can navigate the procedural requirements and timelines.

Local Laws Overview

Scope of protection. Law 4990-2022 protects employees, former employees, job applicants, self-employed persons, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, shareholders, members of administrative or supervisory bodies, volunteers, and trainees. Facilitators and colleagues or relatives who may be targeted because of the report can also be protected.

Reportable matters. Reports can cover breaches in areas such as public procurement, financial services, prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, product and transport safety, environmental protection, public health, consumer protection, data protection and cybersecurity, competition and state aid, and protection of the EU and Greek financial interests. Greece also protects certain serious breaches of national law that harm the public interest.

Internal reporting. Private sector entities with 50 or more workers and most public bodies must establish secure internal reporting channels, appoint a competent person or unit to receive and follow up reports, keep records securely, and maintain confidentiality. Receipt of the report is generally acknowledged within 7 days and feedback should be provided within 3 months, with limited extension in complex cases.

External reporting. Reporters may use external channels run by designated authorities. The National Transparency Authority functions as the central external reporting channel and coordinates with sector regulators. Depending on the subject matter, other authorities may handle the report, such as financial, competition, data protection, or labor inspectorate authorities, or the public prosecutor for criminal offenses.

Public disclosure. Protection can also apply when the information is made public, including to the media, if internal or external reporting did not lead to appropriate action within the legal timeframe, or if there is a reasonable belief of imminent or manifest danger to the public interest, or a risk of retaliation or evidence concealment.

Confidentiality and anonymity. The identity of the whistleblower must remain confidential and can only be disclosed in strictly defined legal circumstances. Anonymous reports can be processed. If the identity later becomes known, protections can still apply if legal criteria are met.

Anti-retaliation measures. Any form of retaliation is prohibited, including dismissal, demotion, transfer against will, changes in duties or working hours, negative evaluations, harassment, or blacklisting. The burden of proof in disputes is eased for the whistleblower, meaning the employer must show that measures taken were unrelated to the report. Remedies can include interim protection, reinstatement, and compensation.

Liability safeguards. Whistleblowers who had reasonable grounds to believe the information was true at the time of reporting are protected from liability for disclosing restricted information, including confidentiality clauses, provided no separate criminal offense was committed to obtain the information. Defamation or knowingly false reporting is not protected.

Data protection. Handling of reports must comply with EU GDPR and Greek data protection law. Organizations should limit access to report files, minimize data collected, and retain records only as long as necessary.

Local administration. The Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni and local public entities are expected to maintain reporting channels consistent with national rules. Private employers in Vouliagmeni with at least 50 workers must also operate internal channels.

Qui tam and rewards. Greek law does not grant US-style qui tam standing or a statutory percentage of recoveries to reporters. In limited contexts, separate administrative incentives may exist, but they are not comparable to US qui tam awards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is protected as a whistleblower in Greece

Protection covers a wide group, including employees, former employees, job applicants, contractors, suppliers, volunteers, trainees, shareholders, and members of company boards. Facilitators and individuals connected to the whistleblower who may suffer retaliation can also be protected.

What kinds of issues can I report

You can report breaches affecting the public interest in areas such as public procurement, finance and anti money laundering, product and transport safety, environmental and public health protections, consumer rights, cybersecurity and data protection, competition, and protection of EU and Greek financial interests. Serious breaches of certain national laws can also be covered.

Do I have to report internally before going to an authority

No. You can report either internally or externally. Many people choose internal reporting if they trust the process and believe the issue can be resolved. If you fear retaliation or evidence concealment, or if the issue requires regulatory action, you may report externally first.

Can I make an anonymous report

Yes, anonymous reports can be accepted. If your identity later becomes known, legal protections can still apply as long as the legal criteria for protected reporting are met.

What are the timelines after I submit a report

The receiving channel should acknowledge receipt within 7 days. You should receive feedback on follow up within about 3 months, with limited extension in complex cases. External authorities may have their own procedural steps and will inform you as the case progresses.

What if my employer has fewer than 50 employees

Smaller employers may not be required to maintain formal internal channels, but you can still report to an external authority and you are still protected against retaliation if the report meets legal criteria.

What happens if I suffer retaliation

Record everything and seek legal advice immediately. The law prohibits retaliation and allows you to request interim protective measures, reinstatement, and compensation. The employer will need to show that any adverse action was unrelated to your report.

Am I allowed to go to the media

Public disclosure is protected in specific circumstances, such as when internal or external reporting did not lead to appropriate action within the legal timeframe, or when there is imminent or manifest danger to the public interest or a risk of retaliation or evidence concealment. A lawyer can assess whether your situation meets these conditions before you go public.

Will I receive a monetary reward like in US qui tam cases

No. Greece does not have a US-style qui tam system that grants a share of government recoveries. The legal focus is on safe reporting and protection from retaliation rather than reporter rewards.

What evidence should I collect and how

Collect information that supports your report, such as emails, memos, logs, or photos that you can lawfully access in your role. Do not break the law to obtain documents and do not remove originals. Keep a contemporaneous record of events and communications. Consult a lawyer about secure storage and data protection.

Additional Resources

National Transparency Authority. The central external channel for whistleblowing and anticorruption coordination in Greece, responsible for receiving and handling many external reports and referring matters to competent bodies.

Public Prosecutor of Athens. Handles reports that indicate criminal offenses and can order investigations and protective measures.

Hellenic Data Protection Authority. Competent for issues involving personal data and privacy, including breaches arising from data processing activities.

Hellenic Capital Market Commission and Bank of Greece. Authorities for financial markets, investment services, banking supervision, and anti money laundering supervision in the financial sector.

Hellenic Competition Commission. Handles cartels, abuse of dominance, and other competition law breaches.

Hellenic Labor Inspectorate. Oversees labor law compliance, workplace safety, and labor rights issues tied to whistleblowing or retaliation.

Hellenic Ombudsman. Independent authority that investigates maladministration and rights violations in the public sector.

Financial Intelligence Unit of Greece. Receives and analyzes reports related to money laundering and terrorist financing.

Independent Authority for Public Revenue. Receives information on tax evasion and serious tax related irregularities.

Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni. Local public body expected to maintain internal reporting mechanisms in line with national law for issues tied to municipal services and public procurement.

Athens Bar Association and local legal associations. Useful for finding lawyers with experience in whistleblower protection, employment law, and regulatory investigations.

Next Steps

Write down what you know, when you learned it, and who else may have information. Keep a timeline and save any documents you can lawfully access. Use your own device and personal email, not your work systems.

Speak with a lawyer before reporting if possible. A lawyer can assess the risks, help you choose the right channel, draft the report, and request protective measures if needed. If you have already reported and are facing retaliation, seek legal help immediately because strict deadlines can apply to employment claims and interim relief.

Choose the reporting channel. If your organization has a trustworthy internal channel, you may start there. If you fear retaliation or evidence destruction, or if the issue requires regulatory action, consider an external authority. In urgent cases affecting public safety or where other channels have failed, discuss with your lawyer whether a public disclosure is protected.

Protect your identity and wellbeing. Ask for confidentiality, limit who you tell, and plan for your personal and professional safety. Consider support from trusted advisors and professional counseling if the process becomes stressful.

Follow up and document responses. Keep copies of acknowledgments and feedback from the receiving channel. Note any changes in your working conditions after reporting and share updates with your lawyer.

This guide is informational and not legal advice. For tailored guidance in Vouliagmeni and the wider Attica region, consult a qualified lawyer who practices whistleblower and employment law in Greece.