Last updated 14 October 2026. By Demetre E. Katsouris, Managing Partner, Katsouris Law Firm.
The short answer: almost everything a client needs done in Greece — obtaining a tax number, opening a bank account, buying or selling property, accepting an inheritance, filing a residence application — can be done by a lawyer under a power of attorney signed abroad. There are two ways to sign it: at a Greek consulate, or before a local notary followed by an apostille and a Greek translation. Which is faster depends on where you live. The document itself is drafted in Greece, in Greek, and sent to you to sign.
Why a notarial power of attorney is needed
Greek property transactions are notarial. A deed of sale, a deed of acceptance of inheritance or a deed of division is signed before a Greek notary, and anyone signing on behalf of someone else must hold a power of attorney in the same notarial form. A simple signed letter is not enough for these acts. The same formality applies to certain steps with the tax office and the banks.
For other steps a simple written authorisation, or the lawyer’s own professional capacity, is sufficient. Part of our job is to tell you which category each step falls into, so that you sign one comprehensive notarial document rather than several.
Route 1: the Greek consulate
Greek consular officers can perform notarial acts. You book an appointment, attend with your passport and the draft we have sent, and sign before the consular officer. The document is then valid in Greece without apostille or translation, because it was drawn up by a Greek authority in Greek.
Advantages: no translation, no apostille, immediate validity. Disadvantages: appointment waiting times at busy consulates can run to weeks, and the consulate may be far from where you live.
Route 2: a local notary plus apostille
You sign the power of attorney before a notary public in your own country, who certifies your signature. The document then receives an apostille from the authority designated under the Hague Convention of 1961 in that country. It is then translated into Greek by a certified translator or a Greek lawyer and is valid for use in Greece.
Advantages: notaries are everywhere and quick. Disadvantages: the apostille adds days to weeks depending on the country, and the translation adds cost. If your country is not a party to the Hague Convention, the apostille is replaced by consular legalisation, which is slower.
We usually prepare the text in parallel Greek and English columns, so the foreign notary can see what is being signed and the Greek text is already in place.
What the document must contain
A Greek power of attorney is construed strictly. A notary will not act on a general authority to “handle my affairs”. The document must name the specific acts. For a property purchase, for example, it should authorise the attorney to:
- obtain a Greek tax number and register with the tax authority;
- open and operate a bank account in your name;
- negotiate and sign a reservation agreement, a pre-contract and the final notarial deed for the purchase of a property, identified by location or left to the attorney’s choice within stated limits;
- declare and pay transfer tax;
- register the deed at the Land Registry and Cadastre;
- file tax returns and the property declaration;
- apply for a residence permit, where relevant, and collect documents from the migration office;
- appoint a tax representative and an accountant.
For an inheritance the list is different: declare the inheritance, accept it, sign the acceptance deed, register it, deal with the tax office, and represent you before the courts if a renunciation or a partition is involved. We draft each one for its purpose.
What to bring to the signing
- Your current passport. The number, issue date and expiry date go into the document.
- A copy of your residence permit or visa if you are not a citizen of the country where you are signing. Some consulates ask for it.
- Your Greek tax number if you already have one.
- The draft we sent, printed and unsigned. The notary or consular officer must witness the signature.
Duration and revocation
A power of attorney for a specific transaction normally lasts until the transaction is complete. One drafted for ongoing matters can be open-ended. Either can be revoked at any time by a notarial revocation, which must be notified to the attorney. We recommend a stated expiry date for any document that grants wide powers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sign in English? Before a foreign notary, yes, provided a Greek translation accompanies the apostilled original. At a consulate the document is in Greek; the consular officer will explain it, and you may bring an interpreter.
Can I give the power of attorney to a relative instead of a lawyer? Yes. The form is the same. A relative acting as attorney has the same powers you give them, and the same potential conflicts.
I signed one years ago for another matter. Can it be reused? Only if it names the acts now needed. Most do not. Send us a copy and we will tell you.
This article is general information, not legal advice; it reflects the position on the date above and may change.
If you need a power of attorney for a purchase, an inheritance or a residence application, tell us which consulate or country you will sign in and we will send you a draft: info@katslaw.eu or +30 210 8982 864.
