Greece

  1. Under what circumstances can a stolen vehicle be seized in your country?
  • A vehicle may be seized if it appears to be of suspect origin either because the person in charge of it has no ownership documents or because the documents are forged.

A vehicle can also be seized when there is an Interpol message notifying that it has been reported stolen/misappropriated. The power to seize the vehicle comes from the Greek legislation which treats theft as a continuing crime. Therefore, a person who has a stolen/misappropriated vehicle on Greek territory infringes Greek laws.

  1. What channels are used to notify the owner of the vehicle’s location (Interpol or other)?
  • The rightful owner of a stolen vehicle is notified through Interpol channels of the location of the vehicle, the condition it is in and the procedure for its recovery. Europol channels may also be used.
  1. Who is responsible for the storage of seized vehicles?
  • Foreign vehicles which have been seized under the circumstances described under item 1, are handed over for safe-keeping to the Organisation of Public Material Administration (O.D.D.Y.) by the Customs authorities in accordance with Article 126 of the Act 1165/1918.

In certain circumstances a vehicle may be restored directly to its rightful owner by the competent Police or Customs Authorities who seized the vehicle, without it having been handed over to the O.D.D.Y. It goes without saying that the rightful owner, in such a case, must have been notified and taken all necessary steps to recover his vehicle.

  1. Are there any costs associated with storage of a seized stolen vehicle and who is responsible for these costs?
  • Where a vehicle is kept in safe storage either by the O.D.D.Y. or by a private garage the costs which are incurred must be borne by the owner. The amount will depend on the duration of storage, the type of vehicle and whether or not it has been kept under cover.
  1. How does a stolen vehicle get restored to its legal owner?
    a) Do the police have authority to restore the vehicle?

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b) Is it the local court who authorises release of the vehicle?

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c) Is it necessary to have a “commission rogatoire” to recover the vehicle?

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d) What documentation does the owner have to provide in order to recover the vehicle?

  • In order to recover a found stolen vehicle the legal owner must produce the following documents:

1) The relevant police reports relating to the theft and subsequent discovery of the vehicle.

2) The ownership documents for the vehicle.

3) Photocopies of the passport of the keeper of the vehicle containing the entry made in it by the Customs authorising its temporary importation and use in Greece. (These copies of the passport would only be required in the situation where a vehicle had been imported into Greece and subsequently stolen).

4) A document from the insurance company certifying that the owner of the vehicle has not received compensation for the theft of his car. The signature on this document must be authenticated.

5) When the vehicle is to be recovered by a third party, a certificate must be produced signed by the owner authorising the person to collect the vehicle and take it out of Greece. The signature on this document must be authenticated.

6) Valid insurance cover, if the vehicle is to be driven out of the country.

7) To safeguard the Greek State’s interests a sum of money must be deposited with the Authority handing over the vehicle. This deposit covers the situation where a vehicle does not leave the country within a predetermined time and guarantees payment of the relevant customs duties and other taxes which may be due. The deposit is automatically refunded if the vehicle leaves the country as planned.

The documents mentioned in paras. 2, 4 & 5 must be translated into Greek and certified by a Greek Consular official.

Where a vehicle is to be recovered by an Insurance Company, in addition to the requirements under paras. 1, 2, 3, 6 & 7 above, the following documents must also be produced.

  • A document from the insurance company providing that the original owner of the vehicle has received compensation for the theft of his vehicle. The signature on this document must have been authenticated.
  • Written authorisation from the relevant insurance company for their agent to collect the vehicle and take it out of Greece. The signature on this document must have been authenticated.
  1. Are there any time limits associated with recovery of the vehicle? (i.e. after a certain period of time the vehicle becomes the property of the state or police, etc.)?
  • If a vehicle has not been recovered within 1 year (twelve months) of its seizure it becomes the property of the Greek State.
  1. Please give details of relevant legislation
  • The relevant legislation is only available in the Greek language.
  1. If the law in your country precludes the restitution of a stolen vehicle to its original owner, please give the reasons why
  • Nothing in Greek legislation prevents the recovery of a stolen vehicle by its rightful owner.
  1. Does your country have any bilateral treaties, conventions, or agreements with other countries dealing with the recovery of stolen property?
  • If so, please describe how they operate and give details of the countries concerned.
  • Greece does not have any bilateral treaties or conventions with other countries concerning the recovery of stolen property.
  1. Reference point, for assistance in case of difficulties
  • NCB Athens

tel. : (01) 644.0178

Last update : June 1997