4/1/2026
The Ministry of Justice has introduced reforms to the issuance of payment and lease restitution orders under Article 637 of the Greek Code of Civil Procedure.
Under the new system, orders will no longer be issued exclusively by judges but by specially appointed lawyers ⚖️ selected from registries at each Court of First Instance. The goal is to speed up property recovery for landlords in cases of unpaid rent or lease expiration.
Until April 30, 2026, orders will still be issued by judges. From May 1, 2026, applications will be assigned to lawyers on the official registries.
Each court will maintain two registries: one for payment orders and one for lease restitution orders. Registries are compiled by Bar Associations and cases are assigned alphabetically to ensure fairness.
To join a registry, lawyers must:
Lawyers have 20 days to issue an order, extendable only if additional information is requested. They must act diligently, avoid conflicts of interest, and follow legal standards. Repeated delays or violations can lead to removal from the registry.
Fixed fees are €400 for payment orders and €300 for lease restitution orders, exempt from taxes and VAT, prepaid by the applicant.
Filing a lease restitution lawsuit in court remains an option, especially if lease termination is disputed, factual issues require judgment, or multiple claims need consolidation. The new procedure is a faster alternative, not a replacement.
Source: https://www.typosthes.gr/oikonomia/422648_anatropi-stis-exoseis-ti-allazei-sto-systima-gia-ofeiles-enoikion