The civil union or cohabitation agreement is a legal agreement reached between a couple that chooses to live together but doesn’t wish to get married; it allows them similar rights as a married couple.
This article provides you with information about the civil union agreement in Greece, including:
- What rights do partners get
- What the process is
- What documents do you need
- How much it costs
If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to message us on Facebook. We will do our best to get you answers as soon as possible.
How can I legally recognize my relationship in Greece?
Greece recognizes a cohabitation (living together) agreement as an alternative to marriage.
Many people choose to sign a civil union agreement instead of getting married because it’s easier to terminate it than to issue a divorce.
As of February 2024, same-sex marriage is legally recognized in Greece. This means that same-sex couples enjoy all the rights associated with marriage, including the right to adopt a child.
Following the law's implementation of same-sex marriage, couples in civil partnerships can marry - if they choose to - within one year of its implementation (February 16, 2024). For these couples, their marriage will be retroactively recognized from the date their civil partnership was registered.
Only recognised refugees are allowed to sign a civil union agreement currently in Greece. According to the asylum legislation, as interpreted by Greek notaries, asylum-seekers are not considered eligible to sign a civil union contract.
The civil union contract sets all obligations and responsibilities in the couple’s common life for as long as they are partners. The agreement regulates all issues around parenting and child care, taxation, social security, property, inheritance, etc.
You cannot sign a civil union contract with someone you have blood, marriage or adoption relationship with.
How can I sign a civil union agreement?
You need to have your agreement drafted and signed in front of a public notary.
Partners’ surnames do not change after signing a civil union agreement. In the contract, partners have to state the surname that they wish their children to get. Every partner in his / her social relations can use the other partner’s surname or add it next to his/hers, as long as he/ she has the other partner’s consent to do so.
The only difference in same-sex couples’ contracts is that the agreement doesn’t cover parenting and child-care issues. This is because, under Greek law, same-sex couples are not allowed to adopt children; they can only become foster parents, meaning that they can take care of a child and make it part of their family for a specific period.
Both partners need to be present and sign the civil union contract.
After the signatures, you must submit a copy of the contract to the municipality registry for the contract to become valid.
You need to be above the age of 18 to sign a civil union agreement. Minors and people who are under adult guardianship following a court decision because they experience mental health problems or physical disabilities are not allowed to sign a civil union contract.
How much does it cost?
The cost for a civil union contract is around € 200 - 250. This is the minimum amount you will pay for a simple, around 8-page contract draft template that covers the basics. You will pay more if you wish to add more pages and specific provisions in your contract or if you want to hire a lawyer.
What documents do I need?
The documents that you and your partner need are:
- A Greek ID, a Residence Permit, or a national Passport with a valid visa allows the owner to enter and stay in Greece legally.
- Your AFM and AMKA and
- Your National Insurance number (required for the contract registration at the Municipality Registry).
How can I terminate a civil union agreement?
You can terminate a civil union agreement if:
- Both partners decide to sign a common agreement; with mutual consent, you can terminate the agreement at any time.
- The partner who wishes to terminate it,invites the other partner to present himself / herself before a public notary and sign a common declaration of termination; if the other partner refuses to sign, the contract is terminated without his/her participation, three months afterwards.
- Partners decide to get married through a religious or civil marriage ceremony; the civil union agreement will be terminated automatically.