Opposition to Payment Order in Greece, How to File, Article 632 Grounds, 15‑day Deadline (updated 2026)

Updated: 23 July 2026

If you have been served with a payment order in Greece, the clock is already running: you have just 15 working days to file a formal opposition to the payment order under Article 632 of the Greek Code of Civil Procedure (Κώδικας Πολιτικής Δικονομίας, “CCP”). Missing that window can turn an ex parte court order into a fully enforceable title against your assets, bank accounts and real property. The procedural landscape shifted further on 1 May 2026, when reforms introduced by Laws 5221/2025 and 5282/2026 took effect, changing the way payment orders are issued, served and enforced.

This guide explains every step a debtor, whether an individual or a company, must take to challenge the order, apply for a stay of enforcement, and protect their legal position under the current rules.

Key facts at a glance

• Deadline. 15 working days from the date of valid service of the payment order (Article 632 CCP).
• Where to file. The registry (γραμματεία) of the court that issued the order.
• Automatic stay? No, filing an opposition does not automatically suspend enforcement. A separate suspension application (αναστολή εκτέλεσης) is required.
• Common grounds. Non-existence or extinction of the debt, set-off, prescription, payment already made, defective service, procedural errors in issuance.
• EU cross-border orders. Where a European Order for Payment has been issued under Regulation (EC) No 1896/2006, the opposition deadline is 30 calendar days.
• 2026 reforms. Laws 5221/2025 and 5282/2026 introduced a new issuance framework effective 1 May 2026, affecting service protocols and certain procedural requirements.

What Is a Payment Order in Greece?

A payment order (διαταγή πληρωμής) is a judicial order issued by a competent judge, without an adversarial hearing, that directs a debtor to pay a specified monetary claim. Under the Greek Code of Civil Procedure, a creditor may petition for a payment order when the claim involves a defined sum of money that is documented by a written instrument, such as a contract, promissory note, cheque, invoice or other written proof of the debt.

The procedure is designed to be swift: the judge examines the creditor’s petition and supporting documents alone. If the formal requirements are satisfied, the order is issued ex parte and serves as an immediately enforceable title once it is properly served on the debtor. Competence is determined by the size of the claim, a Single-Member First Instance Court judge handles claims up to the statutory threshold, while a Multi-Member First Instance Court judge handles larger amounts.

A separate mechanism exists at EU level. The European order for payment procedure, established by Regulation (EC) No 1896/2006, allows creditors to obtain a cross-border payment order that is enforceable across EU Member States. Greek courts act as both issuing and receiving courts under this regulation. The European Payment Order uses standardised forms (including Form A for the application) and carries its own distinct opposition timeline of 30 calendar days. Understanding which regime applies to your case, domestic CCP or European Payment Order Regulation, is the essential first step in any opposition strategy.

How Payment Orders Are Issued and Served (Post‑2026 Reforms)

The process of obtaining a payment order in Greece follows a streamlined sequence that, since 1 May 2026, operates under the updated procedural framework introduced by Laws 5221/2025 and 5282/2026. Industry observers expect the practical effect of these reforms to be a faster issuance cycle, stricter service documentation requirements, and expanded scope for electronic filing in certain courts.

The step-by-step issuance process works as follows:

1. Creditor’s petition. The creditor (or their lawyer) files a written petition at the registry of the competent court, attaching the original or certified copies of the documents proving the claim (contracts, invoices, promissory notes, account statements).
2. Judicial examination. The competent judge reviews the petition and accompanying documents. There is no hearing, the debtor is not notified at this stage.
3. Issuance of the order. If the judge is satisfied that the claim is documented and meets the statutory requirements, the payment order is issued. It states the amount owed, any interest and costs, and orders the debtor to pay.
4. Certificate of enforceability. The court registry issues an enforceable copy (απόγραφο) of the order, which the creditor uses to initiate enforcement proceedings.
5. Service on the debtor. The payment order, together with the underlying petition and supporting documents, must be served on the debtor. Valid service triggers the 15-working-day opposition deadline.

Service methods and proof

Valid service is critical because it fixes the start date of the opposition deadline. Under Greek procedural law, service of a payment order in Greece can be effected by:

• Personal service via a bailiff (δικαστικός επιμελητής). This is the standard method. The bailiff delivers the documents to the debtor in person and issues a certificate of service (έκθεση επίδοσης) recording the date, time and manner of delivery.
• Substitute service. If the debtor cannot be found at their registered address, the bailiff may serve documents on a household member, a concierge, or, failing that, post a notice and file at the relevant municipal office, following the formalities prescribed in Articles 122–143 CCP.
• Registered post. In certain circumstances permitted by law, service by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt may be used.
• Electronic service. The 2026 reforms expanded the scope for electronic service in courts that have adopted the digital filing infrastructure mandated by Laws 5221/2025 and 5282/2026.

If service is not completed within two months from the date of issuance of the payment order, the order becomes void and the creditor must re-apply. This two-month service window is a significant safeguard for debtors: any attempt to enforce an order served outside this period can be challenged on procedural grounds alone.

Opposition to a Payment Order: Overview and Deadline Under Article 632

An opposition to a payment order (ανακοπή κατά διαταγής πληρωμής) is the debtor’s primary legal remedy to challenge the validity, legality or merits of the order. It is governed by Article 632 of the Greek Code of Civil Procedure, which sets out the deadline, the competent court and the procedural requirements.

The opposition must be filed within 15 working days from the date on which the payment order was validly served on the debtor. The day of service itself is not counted; the countdown begins on the next working day. Saturdays, Sundays and official public holidays do not count as working days. If the 15th working day falls on a public holiday, the deadline is extended to the next working day.

The opposition is filed at the registry of the court that issued the payment order. In practice, the debtor’s lawyer prepares the opposition document, files it at the registry and then serves a copy on the creditor (or the creditor’s lawyer). The filing creates a new contested case: the court will schedule a hearing at which both parties can present arguments and evidence. Until the court rules on the opposition, the payment order remains in force unless a separate suspension has been granted.

If the debtor does not file the opposition within the 15-working-day deadline, the payment order becomes final and irrevocable. At that point, the creditor holds a fully enforceable title and may proceed directly to seizure of assets, garnishment of bank accounts, and other compulsory execution measures. The consequences of missing this deadline are severe, and late filing is generally not accepted unless the debtor can demonstrate that the service was invalid or that force majeure prevented timely action.

What to Include in the Opposition: Contents and Evidence

An objection against a payment order must be a structured legal document that identifies the order being challenged, sets out the specific grounds of opposition, and attaches supporting evidence. The following checklist covers the essential elements:

• Debtor identification. Full name, address, tax identification number (ΑΦΜ), and contact details of the opposing party.
• Payment order details. The file number, issuing court, date of issuance, and the amount ordered.
• Date and proof of service. Attach the bailiff’s certificate of service or other proof showing when the order was received.
• Specific grounds of opposition. Each ground must be articulated clearly and separately. Common grounds under Article 632 include:
  • Non-existence of the underlying debt (the claim never arose or is based on a forged document).
  • Extinction of the debt (payment has already been made, the debt was settled, or a valid set-off applies).
  • Prescription (the claim is time-barred under the applicable limitation period).
  • Defective service (the payment order was not served in accordance with statutory requirements).
  • Procedural errors in issuance (the court lacked jurisdiction, the petition was deficient, or mandatory formalities were not observed).
  • Incorrect calculation of the amount owed (e.g., excessive interest, wrong principal).
• Supporting documents. Receipts, bank transfer confirmations, correspondence with the creditor, contracts showing set-off entitlements, or expert calculations disputing the amount claimed.
• Request for hearing date. The opposition should request that the court schedule a hearing for oral argument.
• Lawyer’s signature and power of attorney. Representation by a licensed Greek lawyer (δικηγόρος) is mandatory for filing the opposition.

To illustrate, three common opposition scenarios might be articulated as follows:

• Payment already made. “The debtor discharged the full amount of EUR [X] by bank transfer on [date] to the creditor’s account at [bank name], as evidenced by the attached transaction confirmation. The underlying obligation is therefore extinct.”
• Improper calculation. “The payment order incorrectly applies a contractual interest rate of [X]% per annum, whereas the signed agreement between the parties specifies a rate of [Y]%. The correct outstanding balance, as demonstrated by the attached expert calculation, is EUR [Z].”
• Defective service. “The payment order was served by posting at a former address of the debtor, despite the creditor’s documented knowledge of the debtor’s current residence. The service is therefore invalid under Articles 122–143 CCP, and the opposition deadline has not begun to run.”

Immediate Options to Halt Enforcement: Applying for a Stay (Αναστολή)

One of the most urgent questions for any debtor served with a payment order is whether filing an opposition to the payment order stops the creditor from enforcing it. The answer is clear: filing the opposition alone does not automatically suspend enforcement. The creditor may continue to pursue seizure of assets, garnishment of bank accounts and other execution measures even while the opposition is pending. This makes the first 48 hours after service critical.

To halt enforcement, the debtor must file a separate application for suspension (αίτηση αναστολής εκτέλεσης) with the competent court. This application is typically filed simultaneously with, or immediately after, the opposition itself. The suspension application operates as a form of interim relief: the court may issue a temporary order freezing enforcement proceedings until the opposition is heard on its merits.

The legal basis for the suspension request depends on whether enforcement has already commenced. If the creditor has initiated enforcement measures, such as instructing a bailiff to seize movable or immovable property, the debtor may apply for suspension under the enforcement provisions of the CCP. The application must demonstrate:

• A prima facie case on the merits. The court must be persuaded that the opposition raises serious and arguable grounds that are likely to succeed.
• Irreparable or disproportionate harm. The debtor must show that enforcement would cause damage that could not be adequately remedied by a later reversal, for example, loss of a family home, business closure or reputational damage.
• Urgency. The application must be filed promptly. Courts look unfavourably on debtors who delay seeking suspension while enforcement progresses.
• Willingness to provide security. In some cases, the court may condition the suspension on the debtor providing a bond or bank guarantee to protect the creditor’s interests pending trial.

When courts typically grant suspension

Early indications suggest that Greek courts apply a balancing test, weighing the debtor’s potential harm against the creditor’s interest in prompt satisfaction of the claim. Factors that strengthen a suspension application include clear documentary evidence that the debt has been paid, a manifest error in the amount claimed, or demonstrable invalidity of service. Conversely, courts are reluctant to grant suspension where the opposition appears to be filed merely to delay enforcement, where the debtor has failed to offer security, or where the underlying claim is supported by strong documentary evidence such as a notarised contract or a dishonoured cheque.

The practical advice is straightforward: prepare the suspension application in parallel with the opposition, assemble the strongest available evidence, and file both documents on the same day if possible.

Interaction with the European Order for Payment (Cross-Border Cases)

Where the payment order was not issued under Greek domestic law but under the European order for payment procedure established by Regulation (EC) No 1896/2006, a different set of rules applies. This regulation creates a uniform procedure for recovering uncontested cross-border monetary claims across EU Member States, using standardised forms (including Form A for the application).

The critical difference for debtors is the opposition deadline: under the European Payment Order Regulation, the defendant has 30 calendar days from service or notification of the order to lodge a statement of opposition with the court of origin. Unlike the Greek domestic procedure, the EU opposition does not require the debtor to specify detailed grounds, it is sufficient to indicate that the claim is contested. If a valid opposition is filed within the 30-day window, the proceedings are automatically transferred to the ordinary civil procedure of the issuing Member State.

Greek debtors served with a European Payment Order should take the following steps:

1. Identify whether the order was issued under Regulation (EC) No 1896/2006 (the order itself will reference the regulation and use the standardised EU form).
2. Note the 30-calendar-day deadline from the date of service.
3. File the statement of opposition with the court that issued the order, using the standard form provided (Form F under the regulation) or by any other written means accepted by that court.
4. Engage a lawyer licensed in the issuing Member State if the proceedings transfer to ordinary civil litigation.

What Happens if the Opposition Fails or Is Late

If the 15-working-day deadline passes without an opposition being filed, or if the court hears and rejects the opposition, the payment order becomes a final enforceable title. The creditor may then proceed to compulsory execution, which typically follows this sequence:

• Writ of execution and final payment demand. The creditor serves an enforceable copy of the order together with a final demand (επιταγή προς πληρωμή) giving the debtor a short grace period (typically three working days) to comply voluntarily.
• Seizure of movable property. A bailiff may seize the debtor’s movable assets, including vehicles, equipment and inventory.
• Garnishment of bank accounts. The creditor may serve a garnishment order on the debtor’s bank, freezing and ultimately transferring funds up to the amount of the claim.
• Seizure and auction of immovable property. In larger claims, the creditor may target real estate for seizure and public auction.

Even after enforcement begins, the debtor is not entirely without recourse. Challenges to specific enforcement acts, such as an objection to the validity of a seizure or the conduct of an auction, may be raised under the enforcement provisions of the CCP. However, the grounds available at this stage are much narrower than those available in a timely opposition. Industry observers note that debtors who miss the opposition deadline face a significantly weakened legal position and should seek specialist advice on whether negotiation or an insolvency filing offers a more practical path forward.

Comparison of Key Deadlines and Rules

Practical Next Steps: Filing Checklist and Sample Opposition Statement

If you have received a payment order, the following seven-step checklist provides a structured action plan for filing your opposition to the payment order within the statutory deadline:

1. Record the date of service. Note the exact date shown on the bailiff’s certificate of service or postal receipt, your 15-working-day countdown starts the next business day.
2. Engage a licensed Greek lawyer immediately. Representation is mandatory. Provide your lawyer with the payment order, the underlying petition, all attached documents and any evidence you hold.
3. Identify your grounds of opposition. Review the claim with your lawyer and determine which grounds under Article 632 apply (non-existence of debt, payment, set-off, prescription, defective service, incorrect amount).
4. Assemble supporting evidence. Gather bank statements, receipts, contracts, correspondence, and any expert reports that substantiate your grounds.
5. Prepare and file the opposition. Your lawyer drafts the opposition, files it at the registry of the issuing court, and obtains a filing receipt with the case number.
6. File a suspension application simultaneously. If enforcement is imminent, file an application for a stay of enforcement on the same day as the opposition.
7. Serve the opposition on the creditor. A copy of the filed opposition must be served on the creditor or their legal representative to complete the procedural requirements.

A sample opening paragraph for an opposition statement might read:

“By means of the present opposition (ανακοπή), filed pursuant to Article 632 of the Greek Code of Civil Procedure, the opposing party challenges Payment Order No. [X]/2026 issued by the [Single/Multi-Member] First Instance Court of [city] on [date], which was served on the opposing party on [date of service]. The opposing party respectfully requests that the Court annul the said payment order in its entirety on the grounds set out below.”

Conclusion

The opposition to a payment order is the single most important procedural tool available to a debtor in Greece, and it comes with an unforgiving deadline. Whether the claim arises under domestic Greek law or the European Payment Order Regulation, understanding the applicable timeline, assembling the right evidence, and filing both the opposition and any necessary suspension application without delay are essential to preserving your legal rights. The 2026 reforms introduced by Laws 5221/2025 and 5282/2026 have added new procedural layers that make early professional guidance more important than ever. Debtors who act within the first 48 hours of service put themselves in the strongest possible position to challenge the order and prevent irreversible enforcement consequences.

Sources

1. EUR-Lex, Regulation (EC) No 1896/2006 (European Order for Payment)
2. European e-Justice Portal, European Payment Order
3. Hellenic Republic, Government Gazette (FEK)
4. Hellenic Ministry of Justice and Public Protection
5. Athens Bar Association (Δικηγορικός Σύλλογος Αθηνών)
6. Areios Pagos (Supreme Court of Greece)