Greek Civil Code

Greek Civil Code

The Civil Code was introduced in 1946 as a summary of numerous legal provisions which had been used for a long time. It is based on a long tradition of Greco-Byzantine law, which gives the code its resemblance to other international codes deriving from the same tradition.

However, some of the similarities with other European legislation pertain to institutions which were introduced into Greece from abroad. The code is divided into five parts: general principles, recognizance law, real estate law, family law, and inheritance law.

Article 610/1970, which modifies adoption law for minors, and Article 472/1974 regulating inheritance rights of Greeks residing abroad are appended. The code has been used in Greece with one major alteration (the article granting sexual equality in 1955) and several minor modifications necessitated by the new Code of Civil Procedure of 1971.

It does not yet include the provisions concerning equal rights and obligations of men and women. These provisions will be introduced in 1982 and are required by the Constitution of 1975, which makes sexual discrimination unconstitutional.