Notarising Documents for Use in Greece from Ireland

Greece is a popular destination for Irish people — whether buying a holiday home on the islands, retiring to the Mediterranean, or conducting business. If you need Irish documents to be accepted by Greek authorities, they must first be properly notarised and apostilled. This guide covers the entire process.

Why You Need Notarisation for Greece

Greek government bodies, courts, municipal offices, and notaries (symvolaíographos) require that foreign documents are authenticated before they can be used in legal, commercial, or administrative proceedings. For Irish documents, authentication involves two steps: notarisation by an Irish Notary Public and then an apostille from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.

Without proper authentication, your documents will not be accepted by Greek authorities. This applies to everything from property transactions to marriage registration, employment, and business formation.

Greece and the Hague Apostille Convention

Greece has been a member of the Hague Apostille Convention since 18 May 1985. Both Ireland and Greece are EU member states and Hague Convention signatories, which simplifies the document authentication process considerably.

The apostille issued by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs is recognised by all Greek authorities, eliminating the need for embassy or consular legalisation. This makes the process faster and less expensive than it would be for non-Hague countries.

Common Documents Notarised for Greece

Irish citizens frequently need the following documents notarised for use in Greece:

• Powers of Attorney: Essential for property purchases, allowing your Greek lawyer to act on your behalf before the Greek notary. Also used for business formation, banking, and legal representation.
• Birth and Marriage Certificates: Required for marriage in Greece, residency applications, and civil registration. Certified copies must be notarised and apostilled.
• Educational Qualifications: Degree certificates and professional qualifications for employment recognition by Greek authorities or the Hellenic NARIC (DOATAP).
• Corporate Documents: Certificates of incorporation, board resolutions, and company extracts for businesses establishing operations or partnerships in Greece.
• Affidavits and Statutory Declarations: Including certificates of freedom to marry (required if you plan to marry in Greece).
• Pension and Social Welfare Documents: For Irish retirees establishing residency in Greece.

Property Purchases in Greece

Buying property in Greece is increasingly popular among Irish buyers, particularly on islands such as Crete, Corfu, and the Cyclades. The Greek property purchase process requires several notarised documents:

• Power of Attorney: Your Greek lawyer should draft this in the format required by the Greek notary. It must be notarised in Ireland and apostilled before being sent to Greece.
• AFM (Tax Number): You need a Greek tax number to purchase property. Your power of attorney can include authority for your lawyer to obtain this on your behalf.
• Bank Account: A Greek bank account is typically needed. Your representative can open one using the power of attorney.
• Passport Copies: Notarised and apostilled copies of your passport are usually required.

The Greek notary (symvolaíographos) plays a central role in property transactions, preparing and witnessing the deed of sale. If you are not present in Greece, your representative acts for you under the power of attorney.

For more on Greek property, see our guide to buying property in Greece from Ireland.

Greek Translation Requirements

Greek authorities require documents to be translated into Greek by an officially recognised translator. In Greece, the official translation service is provided by the Translation Service of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or by qualified lawyers who are authorised to provide certified translations.

The certified translation must cover the entire document, including the notarial certificate and the apostille. It is advisable to have the translation done in Greece rather than in Ireland, as Greek authorities are more likely to accept translations from their own recognised translators.

Step-by-Step Process

• Step 1 — Identify Requirements: Confirm with your Greek lawyer or the receiving Greek authority exactly which documents are needed.
• Step 2 — Prepare Documents: Gather originals and any drafts (e.g., power of attorney drafted by your Greek lawyer).
• Step 3 — Notarisation: Attend an appointment with Hugh Phelan at East Douglas Street, Douglas, Cork. Bring your passport and all relevant documents.
• Step 4 — Apostille: Submit notarised documents to the Department of Foreign Affairs for apostille (2–5 working days).
• Step 5 — Translation: Arrange certified Greek translation, ideally through a recognised translator in Greece.
• Step 6 — Submission: Forward the authenticated and translated documents to your Greek lawyer or the relevant Greek authority.

EU and Cross-Border Considerations

As both Ireland and Greece are EU member states, certain EU regulations may simplify specific processes. For example, EU Regulation 2016/1191 on public documents reduces some authentication requirements for certain civil status documents (birth, marriage, death certificates) between EU states. However, this regulation does not eliminate all notarisation requirements, and many Greek institutions still require apostilled documents.

Consult with your Greek lawyer about whether EU simplifications apply to your specific situation. In many cases, particularly for property and commercial matters, the full notarisation and apostille process remains necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions