GREECE Law and Practice Contributed by: Petros Machas, Dimitris Zanganas and Katerina Chrysi, Machas & Partners
Influence Peddling The improper exercise of influence over public officials constitutes a separate offence (237A, PC). The rel - evant conduct of trading in influence involves request - ing or receiving any kind of benefit, or accepting the promise of such a benefit, in exchange for the exercise of improper influence. Such influence is directed at public officials or political and judicial office holders (within the meaning of Articles 159A, 235 and 237 of the Penal Code), which the perpetrator claims or confirms – whether truthfully or falsely – that they are able to exert, in order to induce those persons to per - form or omit an act in the exercise of their duties. It is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years and a monetary penalty, depending on the seriousness of the case. Failure to Prevent Greek law does not recognise a standalone criminal offence of “failure to prevent” bribery. However, legal entities may incur administrative liability where such offences are committed for their benefit due to a lack of supervision of people in managerial positions. Addi - tionally, under the newly introduced provisions of Law 5090/2024, Greek law now provides for the imposi - tion of sanctions by criminal courts on legal entities for offences of bribery and trading in influence. Such sanctions apply where these offences are committed for the benefit of the legal entity by individuals hold - ing a leading position or where the commission of the offence was made possible due to a failure of supervi - sion over subordinate employees. 3.3 Money Laundering Money laundering in Greece is primarily governed by Law 4557/2018, which has undergone significant amendments, most recently through its codification and modification by Laws 5193/2025 and 5259/2025. The principal money laundering offences include: • the knowing conversion or transfer of assets derived from criminal activity with the purpose of concealing or disguising their illicit origin or assist - ing the perpetrator in evading legal consequences; • the concealment or disguise of the true nature, source, location, disposition, movement or owner - ship of such assets;
imprisonment ranging from ten to 20 years, in addition to a monetary penalty. 3.2 Bribery and Corruption Bribery and corruption offences in Greece are primar - ily regulated by the Penal Code and cover both the public and private sectors, as well as specific catego - ries of persons such as judicial and political officials and foreign public officials. Public Sector Bribery in the public sector is divided into passive and active bribery by a public official (235–236, PC). A public official is defined as a person who has been lawfully entrusted, even on a temporary basis, with the performance of duties of the state, municipal or local authorities, or other legal entities governed by pub - lic law. Passive bribery occurs where a public official requests or receives an undue advantage in exchange for an act or omission related to their duties, while active bribery occurs where a third party offers or pro - vides such an advantage. These offences are pun - ishable by severe penalties, including imprisonment ranging from one to twenty years and monetary fines, depending on the circumstances. The same frame - work applies to the bribery of foreign public officials. Judicial and Political Officials A particularly strict regime applies to the bribery of judicial (237, PC) and political officials (159–159A, PC). Both active and passive bribery in this context are punishable by imprisonment ranging from five to 20 years, along with monetary penalties, reflecting the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the judici - ary and public administration. Private Sector Bribery in the private sector arises where an employee or agent requests or receives an undue advantage, or where a third party offers such an advantage, in exchange for an act or omission in breach of profes - sional duties (396, PC). These offences are subject to less severe penalties compared to the public sector, typically involving imprisonment from one to five years and monetary fines.
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