How to Obtain an Injunction in Greece 2026, Step-by-step Procedure, Timeline & Documents

Understanding how to obtain an injunction in Greece in 2026 is essential for any creditor, landlord, rights-holder or business facing an urgent threat of irreparable harm. Greek interim injunctions, formally known as ασφαλιστικά μέτρα (precautionary or interim measures), are governed by the Code of Civil Procedure (CCP), as substantially amended by Law 5221/2025 (FEK A΄133/28. 07. 2025), with many core provisions effective from 1 January 2026. This guide sets out the complete injunction procedure in Greece: eligibility criteria, the seven-step filing process, required documents, the 2026 timeline, indicative costs, and the procedural changes introduced by the new electronic case file (ψηφιακός φάκελος).

Whether you are seeking emergency ex parte relief or defending against an application, the procedural map below reflects current practice as of June 2026.

Overview of Interim Measures in Greece and Who They Apply To

Interim measures in Greece provide rapid, court-ordered protection while the main action is pending or before it is even filed. Their purpose is to preserve the status quo, prevent dissipation of assets, or stop ongoing harm that cannot be adequately compensated through later damages. The legal framework sits primarily in Articles 682–738 of the CCP, now read alongside the procedural reforms introduced by Law 5221/2025.

Businesses, creditors, landlords and individuals all use interim injunctions. Common commercial scenarios include: a debtor moving assets offshore, a competitor misappropriating trade secrets, a tenant refusing to vacate, an infringer selling counterfeit goods, or a contractual counterparty threatening to destroy evidence. In each case, the applicant must show that waiting for a final judgment would render the remedy meaningless.

Applications are heard by the Single-Member Court of First Instance (Μονομελές Πρωτοδικείο) in most commercial disputes. Jurisdiction is determined by the location of the defendant’s domicile or the place where the measures are to be enforced. Under Greek law, injunctive or interim measures generally apply only to assets located in Greece, there is no provision for a worldwide freezing order.

Types of Interim Relief Available

• Prohibitory injunction. Orders the respondent to refrain from specified conduct (e.g., cease infringing a trademark, stop construction, halt asset transfers).
• Preservation or seizure order. Freezes bank accounts, attaches movable or immovable property, or seals premises to prevent evidence destruction.
• Interim delivery order. Requires the delivery of goods, documents, or other items pending the main action.
• Anti-dissipation measures. Prevents a debtor from disposing of or encumbering specific assets.
• Provisional regulation of possession. Settles urgent disputes over possession of property or goods, commonly used in landlord-tenant and real-estate contexts.
• Ex parte temporary restraining order. Granted without notice to the respondent in cases of extreme urgency or where notice would defeat the purpose of the order.

Eligibility and Requirements for an Injunction in Greece

Greek courts apply a two-limb test before granting interim measures. Both limbs must be satisfied on a prima facie basis, the standard of proof is lower than in main proceedings, but the evidence must still be persuasive.

The Legal Tests

Fumus boni iuris (likelihood of success). The applicant must demonstrate a plausible right or claim. This does not require certainty, a prima facie showing that the underlying right probably exists is sufficient. Courts consider the strength of the documentary evidence, any undisputed facts, and any prior judicial or arbitral findings.

Periculum in mora (danger in delay). The applicant must prove urgency, specifically, that an imminent danger exists which, if not addressed immediately, would cause irreparable or difficult-to-repair harm. Greek law frames this as requiring either an “urgent case” or “imminent danger,” and courts treat this threshold seriously. Delay between the triggering event and the filing of the application is a factor, though recent Greek case law has clarified that procedural delays alone do not automatically negate urgency.

Who Can Apply

Any natural or legal person with locus standi, that is, a legally recognised interest in the claim, may apply. This includes creditors, contractual counterparties, rights-holders (IP owners, licensees), landlords, and third parties with a demonstrable legal interest. Corporate applicants must prove authorisation to bring the proceedings, typically through a board resolution or power of attorney.

Against Whom

The respondent must be served and must be subject to the jurisdiction of the Greek courts. Measures can only be enforced against assets situated in Greece. For foreign respondents, service must comply with applicable EU regulations or international conventions (e.g., the Hague Service Convention). Where the respondent’s assets are outside Greece, international recognition and enforcement of the Greek order will require separate proceedings in the relevant foreign jurisdiction.

When Ex Parte Relief Is Justified

An ex parte injunction in Greece, granted without notice to the respondent, is available only when the applicant proves that giving notice would frustrate the remedy (e.g., the debtor would immediately dissipate assets) or that the situation is so urgent that any delay, even for service, would cause irreparable harm. Courts expect clear, documentary evidence of this risk. If granted, the ex parte order is typically temporary and the court will schedule a full hearing shortly afterwards.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Obtain an Injunction in Greece (2026)

The temporary injunction process involves seven sequential stages. The timeline below reflects the injunction procedure in Greece following the Law 5221/2025 reforms and the introduction of the electronic case file.

Step 1, Conduct Pre-Filing Triage and Gather Evidence

Before filing, the applicant and counsel must identify the correct type of interim relief and confirm jurisdiction. Obtain any necessary corporate authorisation, for a company, this means a board resolution or power of attorney empowering counsel to file on its behalf. Gather all supporting evidence: contracts, invoices, bank statements, correspondence, screenshots of infringing activity, expert reports, police reports, and customs notices. Digitise every document into PDF/A format with bookmarks and a paginated exhibit index, as the 2026 electronic filing platform requires fully digital submissions. Prepare a concise chronology of events to establish urgency.

Step 2, Draft the Interim Application and Proposed Order

Counsel drafts the interim application (αίτηση ασφαλιστικών μέτρων), which must include: a statement of the facts, the legal basis for the claim, an explanation of why the matter is urgent, the specific measure requested, and the wording of the proposed court order. Include a separate affidavit or sworn statement from the applicant or an authorised representative setting out the factual basis, the harm suffered or anticipated, and any attempts to resolve the dispute. A draft proposed order, short and precisely worded, should be prepared for the judge’s signature. Where the applicant is willing to offer security, attach a bank guarantee template or bond proposal. This step typically takes one to three days.

Step 3, File the Application and Serve the Respondent

Filing is now conducted through the mandatory electronic case file (ψηφιακός φάκελος) introduced under Law 5221/2025. Counsel uploads all documents to the court’s e-filing platform, where a timestamp is generated immediately upon submission. This timestamp is legally determinative, it records the exact moment of filing and triggers all subsequent deadlines. Court fees must be paid electronically at the time of filing; attach the e-stamp receipt. Service on the respondent can be performed electronically (e-service) where the respondent has a registered electronic address, or by court bailiff for physical service. In some provincial courts, parallel physical filing may still be required during the staged 2026 rollout, counsel should verify the specific court registry’s current requirements.

Step 4, Obtain Ex Parte or Urgent Judicial Review

Where the applicant seeks urgent relief in Greece without prior notice to the respondent, the application is placed before a single judge for immediate review. The judge assesses the papers and may grant a provisional order on the same day or within 48–72 hours if the facts demonstrate genuine urgency. The judge will examine whether the applicant has provided clear evidence of imminent, irreparable harm and whether notice to the respondent would defeat the purpose of the order. The court may require the applicant to deposit security or post a bond as a condition of granting ex parte relief. If the application is rejected at this stage, it can be re-filed as an inter partes application.

Step 5, Schedule the Interlocutory Hearing

Once provisional relief is granted (or where the application proceeds inter partes from the outset), the court sets a date for the full interlocutory hearing. The respondent is served with the application and supporting evidence and given the opportunity to file a response. Under the 2026 CCP reforms, hearing windows have been compressed, industry observers expect most interlocutory hearings to be scheduled within 14 to 60 days of filing, depending on the court’s caseload and the complexity of the dispute.

Step 6, Attend the Full Interlocutory Hearing

At the hearing, both parties present their evidence and legal arguments. The standard of proof remains prima facie, the court does not conduct a full trial. Witness statements and affidavits are typically the primary form of evidence; cross-examination is generally not available at the interlocutory stage, although the judge retains discretion to hear oral testimony. The court considers whether the applicant’s right is plausible, whether the urgency persists, and whether the balance of convenience favours granting, modifying, or refusing the measure. The decision is usually issued shortly after the hearing, often on the same day or within a few days.

Step 7, Enforce the Injunction and Manage Security

Once the court issues its order, enforcement is carried out by court bailiffs or the competent enforcement office. For asset seizures or freezing orders, the bailiff serves the order on the relevant bank, registry, or custodian. Prohibitory injunctions are enforceable by their terms, violation may give rise to contempt proceedings or additional damages claims. The court may impose a security or bond requirement on the applicant to cover potential damages if the injunction is later found to have been wrongly granted. Injunctive orders in Greece apply only to assets within the jurisdiction, for cross-border enforcement, separate recognition proceedings abroad are required.

The injunction remains in force until the interlocutory hearing decision, until the court varies or revokes it, or until the main action is resolved.

Injunction Timeline Greece, Summary Table

Documents Needed for an Injunction Application in Greece

Every interim application must be accompanied by a complete set of supporting documents. Under the 2026 electronic case file rules, all documents must be uploaded digitally in the prescribed format. Missing or non-compliant filings risk rejection by the court registry or, at minimum, a delay that can undermine the urgency of the application. The table below lists the documents needed for a standard interim injunction filing.

For foreign companies applying for injunctive relief, ensure that all corporate documents (certificates of incorporation, board resolutions, powers of attorney) carry apostille certification under the Hague Convention and are accompanied by certified Greek translations. Failure to provide compliant documents is one of the most common grounds for registry rejection. For a broader view of commercial litigation practice, including contested enforcement and cross-border disputes, consult the relevant practice area guidance.

Injunction Timeline in Greece, Key Deadlines After the 2026 Reforms

The injunction timeline in Greece has been materially affected by Law 5221/2025. E-filing timestamps now determine many procedural deadlines. The moment a document is uploaded to the electronic case file platform, the system generates an immutable timestamp. This timestamp triggers service deadlines, response periods, and hearing scheduling windows. Industry observers expect the overall timeline from filing to hearing to shorten as the electronic platform matures and courts adapt to the compressed scheduling framework.

Courts in major centres such as Athens and Thessaloniki are further advanced in implementing the electronic platform. Provincial courts may operate with slightly longer registry review periods during the staged 2026 rollout. Counsel should confirm local court timelines before filing, particularly for emergency applications. For additional context on the reform landscape, the Greece lawyer directory provides access to practitioners with direct experience of the new filing regime.

Costs of an Injunction in Greece, Fees, Bonds and Counsel Budgets

The costs of an injunction in Greece vary depending on the claim value, the complexity of the application, and whether the court orders security. The table below provides indicative ranges; exact court fees depend on the applicable court fee schedule, which is determined by the monetary value of the underlying claim.

Legal fees in Greece are subject to VAT at the standard rate. Any damages recovered through enforcement of the injunction may have tax implications depending on the nature of the claim and the applicant’s tax status. Applicants should consult tax counsel alongside litigation counsel when budgeting for the overall cost of injunctive proceedings.

What Changed in 2026, Law 5221/2025 and the Injunction Procedure in Greece

Law 5221/2025 (FEK A΄133/28.07.2025) introduced the most significant reform of Greek civil procedure in recent years. Many of its provisions took effect on 1 January 2026, with the electronic case file being rolled out in stages throughout the year. The practical consequences for interim injunction applicants are substantial.

Mandatory electronic case file. All filings, including interim applications, must now be submitted through the electronic case file platform. Documents are uploaded in PDF/A format with digital signatures. The e-filing timestamp is legally binding and triggers all subsequent procedural deadlines. This replaces the previous paper-based filing and manual court registry timestamping processes.

E-service and deadline computation. Service on respondents can now be performed electronically where the respondent has a registered address on the platform. The date and time of e-service are recorded automatically, and the respondent’s deadline to respond runs from that timestamp. This has accelerated the overall injunction timeline in Greece and reduced disputes over whether and when service was effected.

Compressed hearing schedules. The likely practical effect of the 2026 reforms will be shorter intervals between filing and hearing. While exact statutory hearing windows vary by type of proceeding, early indications suggest that courts are scheduling interim-measures hearings more quickly than under the pre-reform regime.

Digital evidence requirements. Exhibits must be submitted in structured, bookmarked digital format. Courts expect indexed, paginated PDF bundles, handwritten annotations or loose physical documents are no longer accepted in courts that have fully migrated to the electronic platform.

Practical Compliance Checklist for 2026

• File format. Use PDF/A for all documents. Apply digital signatures where required by the platform.
• Exhibit indexing. Create a tabbed, bookmarked PDF bundle with sequential page numbering matching the exhibit references in the affidavit.
• Certified translations. Upload the translation and the translator’s certificate as separate, linked documents.
• Power of Attorney. Ensure the POA is current, digitally signed or apostilled, and accompanied by a certified Greek translation if the original is in another language.
• Court-specific rules. Verify whether the court in question has fully migrated to the electronic platform or still requires parallel physical filing.
• E-service address. Confirm whether the respondent has a registered electronic address on the platform; if not, arrange for physical service via court bailiff.

Common Pitfalls When Seeking an Injunction in Greece

• Non-compliant e-filing. Documents not in PDF/A format, missing digital signatures, or lacking proper indexing may be rejected by the court registry. This creates a delay that can undermine the urgency argument. Mitigation: use counsel experienced with the 2026 platform and run a pre-submission compliance check.
• Weak urgency evidence. Courts routinely deny ex parte relief where the applicant cannot show imminent, irreparable harm. A long gap between the triggering event and the filing is a red flag. Mitigation: file promptly and provide a detailed chronology explaining any intervals.
• Failure to offer adequate security. Where the court considers the respondent’s interests may be harmed, it will require a bond or bank guarantee. An applicant who cannot provide this may see the application refused. Mitigation: prepare a bank guarantee template in advance and include it in the filing.
• Defective corporate authority. Company applicants frequently fail to provide a current, certified board resolution or power of attorney. This is a procedural defect that can invalidate the entire application. Mitigation: obtain and certify corporate authority documents before drafting begins.
• Assuming international enforcement. Greek interim measures bind only assets within Greek territory. An injunction from a Greek court does not automatically freeze assets in other jurisdictions. Mitigation: if the respondent’s assets are abroad, plan a parallel enforcement strategy in the relevant foreign jurisdiction.
• Ignoring translation requirements. Any document in a language other than Greek must be accompanied by a certified translation. Missing translations cause registry rejection and timeline slippage. Mitigation: engage a certified translator early and build translation time into the pre-filing schedule.

Sources

1. Law 5221/2025, Analysis and Text (Mysolon Portal)
2. Dikastiko, Electronic Case File Implementation (2026)
3. Ethemis, Table of Changes to CCP under Law 5221/2025 (PDF)
4. Kathimerini, Electronic Case File: What Changes for Citizens, Lawyers and Judges
5. Chambers Practice Guides, Litigation 2026: Greece
6. ICLG, Litigation & Dispute Resolution Laws and Regulations 2026: Greece
7. Greek Law Digest, Interim Remedies and Precautionary Measures Under Greek Civil Procedural Law