How Consensual Divorce Works in Greece: A Step-by-Step Guide

Greek divorce law recognizes two distinct paths: consensual divorce, where both spouses agree on every term, and contested divorce, decided by a court. Since a 2017 reform (Law 4509/2017), consensual divorce no longer requires a court hearing at all -- it is handled entirely outside the courtroom, before a notary public. This guide walks through how that process actually works. It is general information, not legal advice for any specific situation; anyone going through a divorce should consult a lawyer directly.

Step 1: Both spouses agree on the terms. Consensual divorce is only available when both spouses agree not just to end the marriage, but on every consequence of it: parental responsibility and custody of any minor children, child support, visitation and contact arrangements, and any division of property or spousal maintenance. If the spouses cannot agree on all of these points, the case has to go through the contested-divorce court process instead.

Step 2: Each spouse retains their own lawyer. The law requires two separate lawyers, one representing each spouse -- a single lawyer cannot represent both sides. The lawyers draft the private agreement covering the terms above.

Step 3: The agreement is executed before a notary public. Rather than a judge, a notary public formalizes the divorce. The spouses, or their lawyers acting with the appropriate authorization, appear before the notary to execute the deed.

Step 4: A mandatory waiting period applies. At least ten days must pass between the initial agreement and the final notarial deed -- a built-in cooling-off period before the divorce becomes final.

Step 5: The divorce is registered. Once the notarial deed is executed, the divorce is registered with the civil registry, finalizing it.

Timeline: for spouses who both live in Greece and agree on all terms from the outset, the whole process commonly takes about two to three weeks from first meeting with lawyers to a registered divorce -- a dramatic change from the months or years a contested case can take through the courts. Cases involving a spouse living abroad typically take longer, mainly due to document authentication and international coordination.

When consensual divorce isn't available: if the spouses disagree on custody, support, or property division, or if one spouse doesn't want the divorce at all, the case proceeds as a contested divorce through the civil courts, a longer and more adversarial process governed by different rules.

This overview describes the general legal framework and should not be relied on as legal advice. Divorce procedures depend on individual circumstances, including whether children are involved, where the spouses live, and whether real estate or business assets are part of the marital property -- a qualified Greek family lawyer should be consulted directly.