Newsflash from Tuesday, 14 April 2026:

The Greek rental market is bracing for a major shift. Starting May 1, 2026, a new legal framework aims to end the “marathon” of unpaid rent and long-delayed evictions. By shifting the power to issue payment orders from judges to certified lawyers, the Ministry of Justice is introducing a fast-track process designed to protect property owners from “professional” non-payers.

Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming changes to eviction procedures and the new tenant “credit check” system.

“Express” Evictions: From Months to Days

Until now, landlords facing unpaid rent often dealt with court dates set months in advance and endless bureaucratic delays. Under the new system, the process is being decentralized:

* Lawyers Take the Lead: Payment orders and eviction notices will no longer be issued by judges. Instead, a specialized list of certified lawyers will handle these cases.
* Strict 20-Day Deadline: Once a case is assigned to a lawyer, they are legally obligated to issue the relevant order within 20 days.
* Transparency First: To prevent favoritism, cases will be assigned to lawyers from the official registry in strict alphabetical order.

Who are the Certified Lawyers?

Not every lawyer can issue these orders. To be included in the registry at the Court of First Instance, a lawyer must:
* Have at least four years of professional experience.
* Have a clean disciplinary record.
* Complete specialized training seminars on the new procedure.

The Cost of the Procedure

The new “fast-track” system comes with fixed costs, which must be paid upfront through the Bar Association:
* €400 for a payment order (to claim unpaid rent).
* €300 for a property performance order (the eviction notice).

While the traditional court route remains available for complex disputes, the government expects this “express” method to become the primary choice for straightforward cases of rent default.

Coming Soon: The Tenant Solvency Register

Parallel to the new eviction rules, the government is launching a Tenant Solvency Register (Μητρώο Φερεγγυότητας Ενοικιαστών). Expected to be fully operational later in 2026, this digital “filter” will change how landlords select tenants.

By cross-referencing data from the AADE (Independent Authority for Public Revenue) and existing lease declarations, the system will generate a “consistency profile” for potential tenants. This allows landlords to verify if a tenant has a history of reliability without exposing sensitive personal financial data.

The Bottom Line

For landlords, these changes offer a much-needed safety net against financial loss. For tenants, the message is clear: consistency is key. With the combination of faster evictions and a permanent solvency record, the Greek rental market is moving toward a more transparent—and strictly enforced—era.

Source: ekriti.gr

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