FAOLEX Database

Greece - Country Profiles

Constitution of the Hellenic Republic of Greece.
Date of text: 1975

Policies

Ministerial Decision No. YPEN/DDA/124219/1717 of 2024. Approval of a revised National Hazardous Waste Management Plan (NHWMP).
Date of text: 13 November 2024
Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023-2027.
Date of text: 2023
Summary text of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
Date of text: 01 November 2022
Multi-year National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Development for the new programming period 2021-2030.
Date of text: 2022
New Circular Economy Action Plan of Greece.
Date of text: 01 November 2021

Legislation

Agricultural and rural development

Law 4691/2020. Regulation of competence of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food for the upgrading and modernisation of the agricultural sector and other provisions.
Date of text: 05 June 2020
Law No. 4384 establishing Agricultural Cooperatives, as forms of collective organization of rural lands.
Date of text: 26 April 2016
Law No. 2810 on Agricultural Cooperative Organizations.
Date of text: 08 March 2000
Act No. 1541 on Agricultural Co-operatives.
Date of text: 11 April 1985
Law no. 5184 of 2025. Interprofessional organisations, strengthening the agricultural sector, organisation of services and supervised bodies of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and restarting the agricultural economy and other provisions.
Date of text: 05 March 2025

Climate change

Law no. 5106 of 2024. Arrangements to address the multi-level impacts of climate change in the areas of: a) water management, b) forest management and protection, c) urban resilience and policy, d) combating illegal construction, e) energy security and other urgent provisions.
Date of text: 01 May 2024
Law No. 3851 enhancing the development of renewable energy sources for assessing the impact of climatic change and bringing forth other provisions on issues falling under the competence of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change.
Date of text: 04 June 2010
Law no. 4936/2022. National Climate Law - Transition to climate neutrality and adaptation to climate change, emergency provisions to address the energy crisis and protect the environment.
Date of text: 27 May 2022
Law No. 3017 ratifying the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations framework convention on climate change.
Date of text: 30 May 2002

Cultivated plants

Law No. 4036 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market, the sustainable use of pesticides and other provisions.
Date of text: 25 January 2012
Law No. 1565 on Fertilizers.
Date of text: 25 September 1985
Act No. 1564 of 1985 on the organization of the production and trade of plant propagating material.
Date of text: 23 September 1985
Joint Ministerial Decision 8197/90920 establishing a National Action Plan for the implementation of Directive 2009/128/EC and the protection of human beings and the environment.
Date of text: 22 July 2013
Law no. 4801 of 2021. Production, export and distribution of finished medicinal cannabis products of the Cannabis Sativa L species with a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content of more than 0.2% and other provisions.
Date of text: 24 May 2021

Disaster risk management

Law no. 5116 of 2024. Private natural disaster insurance, government aid and protection, housing assistance, Fire Department provisions and other provisions.
Date of text: 03 July 2024
Circular of the Minister of Health No. Prot:D1(d)/GP 43020 of 2024. Taking measures to safeguard Public Health in cases of natural disasters such as fires.
Date of text: 13 August 2024

Environment

Law No. 1650 on the protection for the environment.
Date of text: 1986
Law no. 4964/2022 concerning provisions for the simplification of environmental licensing, establishing a framework for the development of Offshore Wind Farms, dealing with the energy crisis, environmental protection and other provisions.
Date of text: 30 July 2022
Law no. 4685 of 2020. Modernisation of environmental legislation, incorporation into Greek legislation of Directives 2018/844 and 2019/692 of the European Parliament and of the Council and other provisions.
Date of text: 07 May 2020
Law no. 5037 of 2023. Renaming the Energy Regulatory Authority to the Waste, Energy and Water Regulatory Authority and expanding its scope with responsibilities over water services and urban waste management, strengthening water policy - Modernisation of the legislation on the use and production of electricity from renewable sources through the incorporation of EU Directives 2018/2001 and 2019/944 - More specific provisions for renewable energy sources and environmental protection.
Date of text: 28 March 2023
Law No. 5151 of 2024. Arrangements for the modernization of waste management, the improvement of the energy saving framework, the development of energy projects and the addressing of urban planning issues.
Date of text: 02 November 2024

Fisheries and aquaculture

Legislative Decree No. 420 introducing the Fisheries Code.
Date of text: 24 January 1970
Law No. 4282 on Aquaculture development.
Date of text: 29 August 2014
Law No. 3409 on recreational diving and other provisions.
Date of text: 03 November 2005
Law No. 1740 on the development and protection of coral formations, aquaculture and fish breeding areas.
Date of text: 04 December 1987
Law No. 2078 on the establishment of the Fishery Committee.
Date of text: 07 November 1939

Food and nutrition

Law no. 5136 of 2024. Control procedures, administrative measures and sanctions in the field of agricultural products and foodstuffs with Protected Designations of Origin, Protected Geographical Indications and Guaranteed Traditional Distinctive Products.
Date of text: 18 September 2024
Law no. 5019 of 2023 - Incorporation of Directive (EU) 2020/1828 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2020 regarding representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers and for the repeal of Directive 2009/22/ EC, strengthening consumer protection, regulatory framework for wine aging and other urgent provisions.
Date of text: 13 February 2023
Law No. 4492 concerning movement and marketing of fresh and perishable agricultural products.
Date of text: 18 October 2017
Law No. 4235/2014 on Administrative measures, procedures and penalties for the implementation of EU and national legislation related to food, feed and animal health and welfare sectors.
Date of text: 11 February 2014
Law No. 3377/2005 laying down the principles and rules on the re-organization of the operation and the development of main trade and market sectors - Issues of the Ministry of Development.
Date of text: 18 August 2005

Forestry

Law No. 3208/2003. Protection of forest ecosystems, regulation of rights over forests and forestal areas and other provisions.
Date of text: 24 December 2003
Law No. 998 on the protection of forests and forestal areas.
Date of text: 27 December 1979
Legislative Decree No 86 bringing forth the Forestry Code.
Date of text: 10 January 1969
Law No. 1845/1989. Development and utilization of the agriculture research and technology – Protection of forests and other provisions.
Date of text: 26 April 1989
Ministerial Decision No. ΙΠEN/DPD/21828/1642 of 2024. Biomass extraction procedure in the framework of the Forest protection plan.
Date of text: 27 February 2024

Gender

Law no. 5178 of 2025. Measures for balanced gender representation in management positions of listed companies, unlisted public limited companies and public enterprises - Incorporation of Directive (EU) 2022/2381 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 November 2022 - Arrangements for the strengthening of pilot programmes for the enhancement of social cohesion - Demographic Development Program and other provisions.
Date of text: 14 February 2025
Law no. 4604 of 2019. Promoting substantive gender equality, preventing and combating gender-based violence - Provisions for the award of citizenship - Provisions related to elections in Local Government - Other provisions.
Date of text: 26 March 2019

Land and soil

Law no. 5069 of 2023. Conditions of building, construction, permitted land uses for data centres, zoning and urban planning regulations, utilisation of Green Fund resources, other environmental and energy provisions and other urgent provisions.
Date of text: 27 November 2023
Law no. 4447 of 2016. Spatial planning - Sustainable development and other provisions.
Date of text: 23 December 2016
Law no. 4759 of 2020. Modernisation of Spatial and Urban Planning Legislation and other provisions.
Date of text: 09 December 2020
Law No. 2882 bringing forth the Code on expropriation of immovable property.
Date of text: 02 February 2001
Law No. 4351 on Grazing Land in Greece and other provisions.
Date of text: 04 December 2015

Livestock

Law No. 4351 on Grazing Land in Greece and other provisions.
Date of text: 04 December 2015
Law No. 5251 of 2025. Ratification of the Legislative Act of 23.10.2025 "Emergency regulations for the support of the primary sector and the response to the smallpox zoonosis" (A' 183) and related provisions.
Date of text: 19 November 2025
Law 4859/2021. Measures to facilitate and modernise the establishment and operation of livestock facilities, provisions for carrying out checks and imposing penalties and other emergency regulations.
Date of text: 27 November 2021
Law no. 4711/2020 on Simplification of the framework for the exercise of economic activities under the responsibility of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and other provisions.
Date of text: 27 July 2020
Law No. 4235/2014 on Administrative measures, procedures and penalties for the implementation of EU and national legislation related to food, feed and animal health and welfare sectors.
Date of text: 11 February 2014

Mineral resources and energy

Law No. 5151 of 2024. Arrangements for the modernization of waste management, the improvement of the energy saving framework, the development of energy projects and the addressing of urban planning issues.
Date of text: 02 November 2024
Law no. 5037 of 2023. Renaming the Energy Regulatory Authority to the Waste, Energy and Water Regulatory Authority and expanding its scope with responsibilities over water services and urban waste management, strengthening water policy - Modernisation of the legislation on the use and production of electricity from renewable sources through the incorporation of EU Directives 2018/2001 and 2019/944 - More specific provisions for renewable energy sources and environmental protection.
Date of text: 28 March 2023
Law no. 4951/2022. Modernisation of the licensing process for Renewable Energy Sources - Phase B, Licensing of electricity production and storage, framework for the development of Pilot Marine Floating Photovoltaic Plants and more specific provisions on energy and environmental protection.
Date of text: 04 July 2022
Law No. 3851 enhancing the development of renewable energy sources for assessing the impact of climatic change and bringing forth other provisions on issues falling under the competence of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change.
Date of text: 04 June 2010
Law No. 3428 on natural gas market liberalization.
Date of text: 27 December 2005

Sea

Law No. 4546 transposing into Greek legislation the EU Directive 2014/89 establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning and other provisions.
Date of text: 11 June 2018
Presidential Decree No. 33 of 2025. On the declaration of an Exclusive Economic Zone in the Ionian Sea, the Ionian Islands and up to Cape Tainaro in the Peloponnese.
Date of text: 16 April 2025
Law No. 5092 of 2024. Conditions for utilisation of public property in coastal areas and other provisions.
Date of text: 02 March 2024
Law No. 4037 on ship-source pollution, the introduction of penalties for infringements and other provisions, in compliance with Directive 2005/35/EC as amended by Directive 2009/123/EC.
Date of text: 27 January 2012
Law No. 4033 implementing the provisions of Directive 2009/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the fundamental principles governing the investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector and amending Council Directive 1999/35/EC and Directive 2002/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.
Date of text: 17 December 2011

Water

Law 3199 on water protection and management – Harmonization with EU Directive No. 2000/60/EC.
Date of text: 09 December 2003
Law no. 5106 of 2024. Arrangements to address the multi-level impacts of climate change in the areas of: a) water management, b) forest management and protection, c) urban resilience and policy, d) combating illegal construction, e) energy security and other urgent provisions.
Date of text: 01 May 2024
Law no. 5037 of 2023. Renaming the Energy Regulatory Authority to the Waste, Energy and Water Regulatory Authority and expanding its scope with responsibilities over water services and urban waste management, strengthening water policy - Modernisation of the legislation on the use and production of electricity from renewable sources through the incorporation of EU Directives 2018/2001 and 2019/944 - More specific provisions for renewable energy sources and environmental protection.
Date of text: 28 March 2023
Ministerial Decision No. 1848/278812. Code of Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters from Nitrate Pollution of Agricultural Origin.
Date of text: 08 October 2021
Law no. 4568 of 2018. Matters of waterways, urban road transport and other provisions.
Date of text: 11 October 2018

Wild species and ecosystems

Basic Act No. 3937 on the Conservation of Biodiversity.
Date of text: 29 March 2011 (21 December 2018)
Law no. 4519 of 2018. Protected Area Management Bodies and other provisions.
Date of text: 20 February 2018
Law No. 3409 on recreational diving and other provisions.
Date of text: 03 November 2005
Ministerial Decision No. YPEN/DDD/100124/3310 of 2022. Extermination of feral pigs and their hybrids, as well as non-dominant pigs in forested areas and on agricultural and other lands, throughout the territory to address the effects of their overpopulation on agriculture, public safety and biodiversity.
Date of text: 30 September 2022
Ministerial Decision no. ΥΠΕΝ/ΔΔΕΔ/24248/598. Implementing measures for Regulation (EU) no. 511/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on user compliance measures under the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilisation in the Union, in accordance with Articles 6(1) and 11 thereof and with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2015/1866 of 13 October 2015.
Date of text: 15 March 2019

Miscellaneous

Law No. 5203 of 2025. Sustainable development, productive transformation of the Greek economy - Amendment of provisions of the development Law 4887/2022 Development Law - Greece Strong Growth - and other provisions.
Date of text: 02 June 2025
Law no. 4412 of 2016. Public Works, Supply and Service Contracts (adaptation to Directives 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU).
Date of text: 05 August 2016
Greek Civil Code.
Date of text: 1940 (2023)
Law no. 4887 of 2022. Development Law - Greece Strong Development.
Date of text: 04 February 2022
Law no. 5140 of 2024. New Public Investment Development Programme and supplementary provisions.
Date of text: 30 September 2024

International Agreements

Final Agreement for the settlement of the differences as described in the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 817 (1993) and 845 (1993), the termination of the Interim Accord of 1995, and the establishment of a strategic partnership between the Parties. Prespa, 2018.
Date of text: 17 June 2018
Agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Hellenic Republic on cooperation in the field of agriculture.
Date of text: 16 June 2014
Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Turkey and Hellenic Republic on the cooperation in the field of agriculture.
Date of text: 04 March 2013

Member of:

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