The Key Amendments Introduced by Law 5221/2025
Law 5221/2025 (Government Gazette A’ 133/28.7.2025) introduces extensive reforms to the Greek Code of Civil Procedure (CCP).
The law is structured in three parts:
- Part A: Amendments to the CCP and new provisions on the publication of wills.
- Part B: Measures for the redistribution of caseloads and faster rescheduling of objections against enforcement proceedings.
- Part C: Organizational interventions in the justice system (staffing, case allocation, digital procedures).
Below is a summary of the most significant amendments that directly affect litigation practice.
1. Jurisdiction – Competence – Prorogation of Jurisdiction
The first substantive change concerns agreements on jurisdiction clauses (prorogation).
Exclusive jurisdiction clauses in favor of the courts of a company’s registered seat are no longer valid where branch jurisdiction applies, provided that the clause was agreed before the dispute arose.
The explanatory report stresses that, until now, large corporations often abused jurisdiction clauses, forcing counterparties to litigate in faraway courts. The new provision restores balance and protects the economically or contractually weaker party.
At the same time, the competence of the Multi-Member Court of First Instance is broadened:
- The monetary threshold increases from €30,000 to €60,000.
- The rent threshold increases from €800 to €1,000 for tenancy disputes falling under multi-member jurisdiction.
This represents a substantive redistribution of judicial caseload.
2. Service Abroad – New Article 134A
Service of process on parties residing abroad takes on a new dimension.
Previously, service on the Public Prosecutor was deemed sufficient; in practice, many foreign parties never became aware of the proceedings. Under new Article 134A, actual service on the party is now required for validity.
Exception: For acts subject to strict deadlines (e.g., filing a claim within 30 days), service on the Public Prosecutor suffices for the applicant to preserve the deadline.
In addition, the law provides for:
- Clear description of transmission channels via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Possibility of service through the gov.gr electronic inbox, where feasible.
The explanatory report emphasizes that this secures the effective exercise of the right of defense and limits annulments due to lack of real notification.
3. Disqualification and Court-Appointed Experts
Amendments to Articles 54–55 and 377 of the CCP aim to strengthen transparency and impartiality.
- Applications for disqualification of lawyers issuing acts under the CCP are now decided by the President of the Court of First Instance in the district of the relevant Bar Association.
- Judges, clerks, and lawyers must declare grounds for disqualification.
- For court-appointed experts, the law clarifies the timing and manner of filing a disqualification request.
4. New Preliminary Procedure in Ordinary Proceedings
The most extensive reform concerns ordinary proceedings (Articles 237 et seq.).
After the claim is filed, the hearing date is set at:
- 6–7 months for domestic cases.
- 9–10 months for cases involving parties abroad.
Unified deadlines are introduced:
- Service of claim: 30 days.
- Pleadings: 90 days (domestic) / 120 days (abroad).
- Additional submissions/rebuttals: 15 days.
Mediation does not suspend deadlines for pleadings.
The reporting judge, within 30 days of allocation, may issue an order on vagueness or non-service. The claimant may cure vagueness by additional submission up to 10 days before the hearing; otherwise, the case is struck out.
Additional reforms:
- Witnesses and parties may be examined via videoconference.
- Comments on testimonies may be filed within 8 days.
- Court fee must be paid by the deadline for rebuttals.
- Deadlines are binding on the court itself (Article 144 §4).
The explanatory report highlights that the goal is timely clarification of substantive issues, avoiding hearings for cases that would inevitably be dismissed.
5. Small Claims Procedure
The small claims procedure (Articles 467–468) is fully revised.
- Threshold increased from €5,000 to €8,000.
- Disputes under Article 17 are also included.
New deadlines:
- Service of claim: 10 days.
- Memorandum & evidence: 20 days.
- Rebuttal: 5 days.
Once deadlines lapse, the case is automatically entered on the docket.
This is designed as a “fast-track” procedure.
6. Enforcement and Electronic Auctions
The law clearly regulates electronic auctions:
- Schedule: Wednesday–Friday, 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–16:00.
- Automatic 5-minute extensions for last-minute bids (up to one hour maximum).
- Reintroduction of the possibility of private sale before auction under conditions.
- Strengthened publicity obligations, including postings on the e-EFKA platform.
Deadline for filing an application to suspend an auction is extended: it must now be filed at least 15 days before the auction (previously 5 days).
Additionally, in the case of opposition to a payment order (Article 633 CCP), the court may suspend enforcement of the order pending the hearing, if irreparable harm is likely.
The explanatory report notes that these measures enhance transparency and legal certainty, limiting surprises and abuses.
7. Remedies and Cassation Proceedings
Law 5221/2025 introduces major changes to legal remedies:
- Place of filing: Appeals, cassations, oppositions in default, etc., must now be filed directly before the court addressed (e.g., appeal before the Court of Appeal, cassation before the Supreme Court), not before the court that issued the contested decision. The same court also sets the hearing date.
- Maximum deadline: The long-stop deadline for filing appeals or cassations where no service has taken place is reduced from two years to one year. At the same time, a guaranteed minimum is introduced: even if service occurs immediately, the deadline cannot expire before 60 days from publication of the decision. This prevents abusive service practices and strengthens legal certainty.
- Cassation procedure: A summary report by the rapporteur judge is now required, assessing admissibility and merits before the hearing.
8. Eviction Orders – New Rules
The eviction order procedure gains a central role under Law 5221/2025, as it is one of the most commonly used remedies for landlords.
Main changes:
- Actual service required: Formal service alone is no longer sufficient; it must be ensured that the tenant is made aware. Electronic service through gov.gr is possible where available.
- Deadlines: Short and binding, fully aligned with the overall aim of accelerating civil proceedings.
- Tenant’s objections: A unified procedure for objections is introduced, handled in an expedited manner by the court, avoiding delays caused by parallel proceedings.
The explanatory report highlights that gaps in service and formalities often allowed tenants to abuse the system, leading to long delays. The new rules aim to close these gaps while maintaining balance between landlord and tenant interests.
Transitional Provisions of the CCP
Law 5221/2025 includes transitional rules to ensure gradual implementation without disrupting pending cases.
- Wills and inheritance cases:
- For deaths up to 31.10.2025, the Courts of First Instance remain competent for publication of wills and issuance of certificates.
- For deaths from 1.11.2025 onwards, notaries assume competence.
- From 16.9.2026, once the electronic database is fully operational, notaries handle all cases regardless of date of death.
- Actions and remedies:
- New rules apply to claims and summons filed from 1.1.2026 onwards.
- Pending cases remain under the old regime.
- Payment orders and eviction orders:
- Until 31.12.2025, issued by the competent local judge.
- From 1.1.2026, competence passes to lawyers, as provided by the new law.
- Enforcement:
- New rules apply to writs of execution served from 1.1.2026 onwards.
- For pending oppositions to enforcement with hearings after 1.1.2026, mandatory rescheduling through the electronic platform is required; otherwise, they are inadmissible.
- Repealed provisions:
- Provisions inconsistent with the new framework are abolished, including indirect service via the Public Prosecutor and specific rules on suspension of enforceability or mandatory filing of claims following interim relief.
Conclusion
Law 5221/2025 marks a new era for civil litigation in Greece.
The reforms cover the entire spectrum: jurisdiction, service abroad, preliminary proceedings, small claims, electronic auctions, tenancy disputes, and legal remedies.
At Papatriantafyllou & Thanasenari, we closely monitor legislative developments and adjust our litigation strategies to fully leverage the new opportunities while avoiding the pitfalls created by procedural changes. With expertise in litigation and complex business disputes, we provide our clients with targeted and effective solutions, tailored to the demands of the new judicial landscape.
Disclaimer: This publication is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Professional legal guidance should always be sought before acting on any information contained herein.