How to Report a Crime in Greece (2026): Police or Prosecutor, Egklisi Deadlines & Fees

Understanding how to report a crime in Greece is critical whether you are a resident, an expat, or a tourist who has just become a victim or witness of a criminal offence. Greek law offers two primary channels, filing a police report with the Hellenic Police or lodging a formal criminal complaint (egklisi) with a Public Prosecutor, and choosing the wrong path, or missing a deadline, can permanently bar prosecution. This guide, current as of May 23, 2026, walks through every step: which emergency numbers to call, what each reporting route involves, how egklisi deadlines work, what fees may apply, and how to file from abroad.

Quick Decision Checklist, Police Report vs Egklisi

Before reading the detailed sections below, use this decision flow to identify your immediate next step when reporting a crime in Greece:

• Immediate danger or crime in progress → Call 100 (police emergency) or 112 (general emergency) immediately.
• Theft, robbery, pickpocketing, traffic accident → Go to the nearest police station to file a report (minysi); police will investigate and, for serious offences, notify the prosecutor ex officio.
• Sexual assault, serious bodily harm, domestic violence → Contact police and file an egklisi with the Public Prosecutor to preserve your private prosecution rights.
• Private-complaint-only offences (e.g., defamation, minor bodily harm, insult) → File an egklisi directly with the competent Public Prosecutor’s office; prosecution cannot begin without the victim’s formal complaint.
• Cybercrime or online fraud → Call the Cybercrime Unit at 11188 and preserve all digital evidence before taking any other step.

In many situations, filing both a police report and an egklisi is the safest approach. The table later in this guide compares the two routes side by side.

Emergency Numbers and Who to Call First

National Emergency: 112 vs Police 100 vs Fire 199

Greece uses the EU-wide 112 number as its general emergency line, staffed by multilingual operators who can dispatch police, fire, or ambulance services. The dedicated police Greece number is 100, which connects directly to the Hellenic Police dispatch centre and is the fastest route when you need officers on scene. For fire emergencies, dial 199; for the coast guard, dial 108.

Special Lines: Cybercrime 11188, Victim Helpline 11414

Greece operates several specialised hotlines in addition to the main emergency numbers. The cybercrime unit Greece 11188 line connects to the Hellenic Police Cyber Crime Division for internet-related offences. The 11414 victim support helpline, coordinated with the InfoVictims programme, provides guidance on rights, legal aid and psychological support for victims of crime in Greece.

How to Report a Crime to the Hellenic Police

In Person at a Local Police Station

The most common way of reporting a crime in Greece is to visit the nearest police station (astynomiko tmima). Bring your passport or Greek ID card, any evidence you have (photos, receipts, medical reports), and the details of any witnesses. An officer will take your oral statement, which is transcribed into a formal written report (ekhthesi). You are entitled to request an interpreter if you do not speak Greek, this right is protected under EU Directive 2010/64 on the right to interpretation in criminal proceedings.

Practical tip: ask for a certified copy of the police report before you leave. You will need it for insurance claims, consular notifications and, if applicable, your egklisi filing.

Phone Reporting, 100, 112 and Non-Emergency Lines

Dialling 100 connects you directly to the police dispatch operator. All emergency calls are recorded. For non-urgent matters, such as reporting a theft discovered hours later, you can call the local station’s published landline number. The Hellenic Police website (astynomia.gr) publishes contact directories for every regional and local unit. The Athens Greece police number for the General Police Directorate of Attica is listed on the same site and should be used for follow-ups on cases handled within the Attica region.

Online Reporting via Gov.gr

Greece has expanded its digital services, and certain complaints can now be filed through the gov.gr portal. You can submit a Greece police report online for certain categories, most notably consumer fraud, cyber-offences and complaints against public officials, by navigating to the Hellenic Police section of the portal and completing the structured form. A TaxisNet login (Greek tax credentials) or eID is typically required. For foreign nationals without a TaxisNet account, in-person reporting remains the most reliable route.

What a Police Report Contains

Filing a Criminal Complaint (Egklisi) with a Public Prosecutor

The criminal complaint Greece egklisi (έγκληση) is a formal written complaint submitted by the injured party to the Public Prosecutor at the competent court of first instance. Greek criminal law distinguishes between offences prosecuted ex officio (by the state, regardless of victim action) and offences prosecuted only upon a private complaint. For the latter category, which includes defamation, insult, minor bodily harm, violation of domestic peace, certain fraud offences and others specified in the Greek Penal Code, criminal proceedings cannot begin unless the victim files an egklisi within the statutory deadline.

This makes the egklisi one of the most consequential procedural steps in Greek criminal practice. Missing the filing window means the prosecutor is legally barred from initiating prosecution, even where evidence of the crime is overwhelming.

Who Can File and Where

Any natural person who is the direct victim of a private-complaint offence, or their legal representative, may file an egklisi. The complaint is submitted to the secretariat of the competent Public Prosecutor’s office, either in person, through a lawyer holding a special power of attorney, or, in certain circumstances, via a Greek consulate abroad. The document must be in Greek; non-Greek speakers should engage a certified translator or a Greek criminal lawyer to prepare the text.

Required Documents and Translations

• The egklisi itself, a written, signed statement identifying the complainant, the accused (if known), the facts, the legal classification of the offence and the explicit declaration that the complainant wishes criminal prosecution.
• Proof of identity, passport or ID card (and a certified translation if the document is not in Greek).
• Supporting evidence, photographs, medical certificates, financial records, communications, screenshots, attached as exhibits.
• Power of attorney, if submitted by a lawyer on the complainant’s behalf, a notarised special power of attorney specifying authority to file the egklisi.

Sample Egklisi Template (Key Elements)

While each case is different, every egklisi should contain the following structural elements:

1. Header addressed to the Public Prosecutor of [competent court].
2. Full identification details of the complainant.
3. Full identification details of the accused (or “unknown perpetrator” if identity is not known).
4. Detailed factual narrative, what happened, when, where and how.
5. Legal characterisation, the specific articles of the Penal Code alleged to have been violated.
6. Express declaration: “I file this complaint and request the criminal prosecution of the above-named person(s).”
7. List of attached evidence and witness details.
8. Date, place and signature of the complainant (or authorised lawyer).

How to Report a Crime in Greece: Deadlines, Statutes of Limitation and Consequences

Egklisi Deadlines, Offence-Specific Filing Windows

The Greek Code of Criminal Procedure sets strict complaint deadlines for private-prosecution offences. The standard egklisi deadline for most misdemeanours prosecuted upon complaint is three months from the date the victim became aware of the offence and the identity of the offender. For certain offences, the Penal Code specifies different periods. The critical point is that once this window closes, the right to initiate prosecution is extinguished entirely, the prosecutor cannot act even if the victim later changes their mind.

Statutes of Limitation Overview

Separate from the egklisi filing deadline, Greece applies general statutes of limitation (paragraphi) that cap the total period within which criminal prosecution may be commenced. The table below illustrates common timeframes, note that individual offences may carry specific provisions, and legislative amendments can alter these periods.

Action item: If your deadline is approaching, file the egklisi immediately, even a preliminary filing preserves your rights. You can supplement with additional evidence later. Seek legal counsel without delay.

Police Report vs Egklisi, Key Comparison

Fees, Judicial Stamps and When Payment Applies

One of the most common misconceptions about reporting a crime in Greece is that it costs money. In practice, filing a police report is free. There is no charge for walking into a station, making a statement and receiving a copy of the report.

Filing an egklisi with the Public Prosecutor’s office is also generally free of charge at the initial stage. Costs arise when the process escalates: if you constitute yourself as a civil party (politikos enagon) within the criminal proceedings, or if you initiate a parallel civil lawsuit for damages, judicial stamps (ensima) and court fees will apply. Fee amounts are set by periodic ministerial decisions issued by the Ministry of Finance and can vary. Early indications suggest that practitioners should verify the current fee schedule directly with the court registry at the time of filing, as adjustments occur regularly.

A lawyer’s fees for drafting and filing an egklisi are a separate cost, negotiated privately. For serious or complex matters, the investment in legal counsel is strongly recommended, particularly for non-Greek speakers who need translation and procedural guidance.

Cybercrime and Specialised Units, the 11188 Reporting Line

How to Report Online and Cyber Offences

The cybercrime unit Greece 11188 hotline is the primary contact for reporting internet fraud, phishing, hacking, sextortion, online harassment and child exploitation material. You can also reach the Cyber Crime Division by email. Reports can be made by phone, email or in person at the Division’s offices in Athens.

Evidence Preservation

Before contacting the authorities, take these steps to preserve digital evidence:

• Screenshots, capture the offending content, including URLs, timestamps and user profiles.
• Email headers, save full header data (not just the visible “From” field).
• Transaction records, download bank or payment-platform confirmations.
• Device logs, do not delete browser history or app data; forensic investigators may need it.
• ISP records, note your internet service provider; investigators may request connection logs.

Cross-Border Digital Evidence and Europol

Where an online offence originates outside Greece or involves perpetrators in multiple EU Member States, the Hellenic Police may coordinate with Europol. Victims can also submit a tip directly through Europol’s online reporting tool, which routes information to the appropriate national authority. For foreign nationals who are also navigating Greek immigration processes such as the golden visa programme, reporting cybercrime promptly is especially important to protect residency-related documentation and financial assets.

After You File, What Happens Next

Understanding the post-filing process helps manage expectations and ensures you follow up effectively. Here is the typical sequence after reporting a crime in Greece:

Victims have the right to request a copy of the police report and to be informed of the progress of the investigation. If you filed an egklisi, you or your lawyer can contact the prosecutor’s office directly to check the status. Industry observers expect that delays remain common in Greek courts, so proactive follow-up, ideally through a criminal lawyer, is advisable.

Foreigners who have been victims of property crime and need documentation for insurance claims or property-related legal matters in Greece should request certified copies at the earliest opportunity.

Victim Support, Reporting from Abroad and Special Cases

Victim Rights and Support Services

Greece has transposed the EU Victims’ Rights Directive (2012/29/EU), which guarantees victims the right to information, interpretation, legal aid and protection during proceedings. The 11414 helpline provides free, confidential support including referrals to shelters, psychological services and legal aid organisations. The InfoVictims platform offers country-specific guidance on what to expect at each stage of the criminal justice process.

Reporting from Abroad

If you are outside Greece when you discover a crime or wish to file an egklisi for an offence that occurred on Greek territory, you have several options:

• Greek consulate or embassy, consular officers can witness your complaint and forward it to the competent prosecutor. The U.S. Embassy in Athens, for example, provides guidance to American citizens on reporting lost or stolen property and liaising with Greek authorities.
• Greek criminal lawyer, grant a notarised special power of attorney authorising the lawyer to file the egklisi on your behalf at the relevant prosecutor’s office.
• Postal filing, in some cases, a notarised egklisi can be sent by registered mail to the prosecutor’s office, although in-person or lawyer-assisted filing is more reliable.

Residents holding permits under Greece’s current migration law framework should be aware that reporting a crime does not jeopardise immigration status, Greek law protects victims regardless of residency category.

Complaints Against Police Officers

If the perpetrator of the offence is a police officer, or if you wish to file a complaint about police misconduct, you can:

• File a complaint with the Public Prosecutor, who is obliged to investigate independently of the police.
• Contact the Hellenic Police Internal Affairs Division for disciplinary complaints.
• Submit a report to the National Transparency Authority, which oversees public-sector integrity.

Collecting evidence (witness statements, video recordings, medical certificates) before filing strengthens the complaint significantly. Legal representation is strongly advisable in these cases.

Conclusion, Your Next Steps for Reporting a Crime in Greece

Knowing how to report a crime in Greece means understanding that the Greek system offers two complementary routes, the police report and the egklisi, and that choosing correctly depends on the nature of the offence, the urgency of the situation and whether the crime falls into the private-complaint category. As of May 23, 2026, the practical steps are clear:

1. Act immediately, call 100 or 112 if there is any danger, then visit the nearest police station to file a report and secure a certified copy.
2. Assess whether an egklisi is required, for private-prosecution offences, file within the statutory deadline (commonly three months) at the competent Public Prosecutor’s office; engage a lawyer if you are unsure.
3. Preserve all evidence and follow up, digital screenshots, medical records, witness contacts and transaction logs; contact the prosecutor’s office proactively and request updates on your case.

For complex matters, cross-border cases, or situations involving tight egklisi deadlines, consulting a qualified Greek criminal lawyer early can make the difference between a successful prosecution and a permanently closed case. You can find a criminal lawyer in Greece through our directory.

Sources

1. Hellenic Police, Direct Lines / Citizen’s Guide
2. Gov.gr, Hellenic Police Organisation Pages
3. EETT, Reporting Suspicion of Criminal Offenses
4. InfoVictims / Victim Support Europe, Greece
5. PathLawFirm, Criminal Complaint in Greece
6. Fair Trials, Criminal Proceedings & Defence Rights in Greece
7. Greek Ministry of Justice, GRECO Report
8. Europol, Report a Crime
9. U.S. Embassy in Greece, Reporting Lost or Stolen Property