Evictions Without Court Proceedings But With Safeguards – What Changes in Lease Terminations from 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, property owners in Greece will be able to regain possession of their properties at lease expiration much faster and without lengthy court battles, thanks to a new legal procedure called the “Order for Return of Property” (Διαταγή Απόδοσης Μισθίου). This reform aims to ease the burden on landlords while providing tenants with at least six months’ protection before eviction.

Key Changes:

Landlords must send a formal three-month notice before the lease expires.

If the tenant doesn’t vacate, landlords can request an Order for Return from a specially certified independent lawyer, bypassing traditional court procedures.

Tenants have the right to contest the order and request an extension for valid reasons.

Eviction can only be executed two months after the order is served, guaranteeing tenants a minimum six-month timeframe to relocate.

The Hellenic Federation of Property Owners (POMIDA) highlights that this law addresses a long-standing injustice against property owners who have often waited months or years for court rulings to reclaim their property. It simultaneously balances tenant protections by providing extended, cost-free grace periods before eviction.

Detailed Overview:

• The lease termination date is determined by the lease agreement or relevant electronic filings.
• Landlords first send a lawyer-prepared extrajudicial notice three months before lease end.
• If the tenant refuses to vacate, landlords can apply for the Order for Return, which is issued by a certified lawyer assigned randomly by the court registry, ensuring impartiality.
• The issuing lawyer reviews the submitted documents within ten days and, if valid, issues the order without a hearing.
• The tenant then has 15 working days to file an objection and can request further extensions through court.
• The execution of eviction occurs two months after the order’s notification.
• The entire process ensures tenants have at least six months from the initial notice to arrange their move without legal or financial burden.
• Critics who claim this enables landlords to evict tenants within 1-2 months without court protection misunderstand the new process. The law guarantees tenant safeguards and judicial oversight through the possibility of objections and extensions.

Why This Matters:

Currently, tenants can leave a property at any time, often breaching contracts without penalty, while landlords face prolonged and costly court battles to regain possession. This imbalance discourages property owners from renting out their assets. The new legal framework aims to restore fairness, reduce court congestion, and encourage landlords to bring more properties back to the rental market.

Source: pagenews.gr