Debt Collections Handbook Greece 2021

Debt Collection Handbook

  • Griekenland
  • Landbouw,
  • Automotive/Transport,
  • Chemie/Farmacie,
  • Bouw,
  • Duurzame consumptiegoederen,
  • Electronica/ICT,
  • Financiële diensten,
  • Voeding,
  • Algemene economie,
  • Machines/Engineering,
  • Metaal,
  • Papier,
  • Diensten,
  • Staal,
  • Textiel

11 okt 2021

Having drawn from the expertise of Atradius Collections' local offices, the International Debt Collections Handbook explains the different regulations and procedures for debt collections in Greece.

Amicable collections

General information

 

 

Handbook Report Page - Amicable Phase

 

 

 

In the amicable phase, the collector gets in contact with the debtor. The collection process commences with an automatic letter sent to the debtor’s email address (if any) or fax number from our system, followed by an initial telephone call. Investigations are also conducted via internet sources and local contacts. It is important to have relevant documentation from the beginning of the case and know the debtor company’s VAT number in order to check if the company is active under the Greek General Commercial Registry (www.businessregistry.gr/publicity/index).

Note: Commercial claims have a time limit of five years, starting from the original due date.

Local agents

Atradius Collections has several attorneys and debt collection partners acting on our behalf in Greek territories and collecting our clients’ claims either in court or out of court. 

All our attorneys and agents in Greece are in a position to check the debtor’s financial status, order a credit report (estimated cost: EUR 150) and examine the court registries and the Bulletin of Judicial Publications (deltio.tnomik. gr/decisions) for court decisions and actions against the debtor. They can also check the Land Registry (estimated cost: EUR 300–EUR 350) for immovable property and the solvency of the debtor (estimated cost: EUR 150) if this is not clear (bankruptcy, article 99). Furthermore, personal visits to the debtor can be organised in the areas of Athens and Thessaloniki for significant outstanding debts. As the last amicable step before proceeding with legal actions, our agents can instruct the local bailiff to serve an Extra Judicial Declaration (EJD) or an out-of-court notice or a Letter Before Action (LBA) to the debtor (estimated cost: EUR 150–EUR 250 depending on the distance).

Interest

Late payment interest may be charged to the debtor on the first overdue day. The Recast Directive 2011/7/EU, which stipulates that payments in the EU must be made within 60 days, was transposed into domestic law through Law 4152/2013 (which retroactively entered into force on 16th March 2013). In contrast to the regulations set forth in most EU member states, late payment rules in Greece are very comprehensive: in general, payment terms in business-to-business transactions must not exceed 60 calendar days unless otherwise agreed by contract and provided that the delays are not grossly unfair to the creditor. Beyond this point, interest may be due as negotiated by the parties. But in any case, the law allows creditors to charge an automatic interest rate approximately from 7% to 8%.

Debt collection costs

In theory, the transposition of the Recast Directive 2011/7/EU into domestic law would entitle creditors to charge a flat EUR 40 collection fee when payment is late. In practice, however, it is very uncommon to do so unless a claim is brought to court.

The Debt Collections Handbook presents a snapshot of Greece's economic situation and covers the following topic:

  • Legal procedures
  • Lawsuit
  • Insolvency proceedings
  • Time frame and outcome

To read more about steps and procedures undertaken in debt collections in Greece and other countries:

 

Disclaimer

Elke publicatie die beschikbaar is op of vanaf onze websites, zoals, maar niet beperkt tot webpagina's, rapporten, artikelen, publicaties, tips en nuttige content, blogs, infographics, video's (hierna ‘Publicatie’) wordt louter ter informatie verstrekt en is niet bedoeld als beleggingsadvies, juridisch advies of enige aanbeveling aan de lezer(s) met betrekking tot specifieke transacties, investeringen of strategieën. Lezers zijn zelf verantwoordelijk voor het nemen van commerciële en andere beslissingen omtrent de verstrekte informatie. Hoewel Atradius al het noodzakelijke heeft gedaan om te verzekeren dat de informatie in enige Publicatie verkregen is van betrouwbare bronnen, kan Atradius niet verantwoordelijk gesteld worden voor fouten of omissies, of voor de resultaten verkregen door gebruik van deze informatie. Alle informatie in enige Publicatie wordt gegeven ‘zoals ze is’, zonder garantie op volledigheid, accuraatheid, tijdsgebondenheid, of op de resultaten verkregen door gebruik van de publicatie, en zonder garantie van enige soort, uitdrukkelijk of geïmpliceerd. In geen geval zal Atradius, haar gerelateerde partners of corporaties, of de partners, agenten of werknemers hiervan verantwoordelijk gesteld kunnen worden voor enige genomen beslissing of actie die zij zouden nemen op basis van de in enige Publicatie verstrekte informatie, of voor enig verlies van kansen, winstderving, productieverlies, omzetverlies of gevolgschade, speciale of soortgelijke schade van welke aard dan ook, zelfs wanneer de lezer in kennis is gesteld van de mogelijkheid van dergelijke verliezen of schade.