Greece to Reform Seizure Procedures, Dropping Civil Code Article 989

The Greek government announced a reform of the seizure process that will take effect in September 2026. Article 989 of the Civil Procedure Code will be repealed, changing how a third‑party declaration – such as one from a bank or a landlord – acquires enforceable status. The reform is intended to end uncertainty over which authority can issue an execution order, speeding up debt collection and reducing bureaucracy.

Cases already filed before the law takes effect will continue under the previous rules, so ongoing proceedings are not affected. The new framework is expected to benefit creditors, who will see a clearer and faster path to recover debts, and the courts, which will have a more streamlined procedure.

The government emphasized that the change aims to clarify responsibility for execution actions without altering the rights of debtors in existing cases.