Recent amendments to the Greek Code of Civil Procedure, and in particular the new wording of Article 637, introduce an important change to the procedure for issuing an order for the return of leased property.
Until now, this procedure was mainly used in cases of non-payment of rent. Under the new provision, an order for the return of the leased property may also be issued due to the expiry of the lease term, provided that the lease is evidenced in writing, its contractual duration has expired, and the tenant has received prior written notice at least fifteen days before the application is filed.
This development is significant for both residential and commercial leases. In the case of commercial leases, however, the mandatory minimum three-year term under Law 4242/2014 must always be taken into account.
Although the new framework provides landlords with a faster procedural tool for recovering their property, tenants continue to have judicial remedies, including the right to file an objection and request suspension of enforcement.
The amendment marks a substantial shift in lease disputes and highlights the importance of careful legal assessment before initiating eviction proceedings.