Procedures for Recovering Stolen Vehicles from Abroad (Europe)
Greece
| 1.
Under what circumstances can a stolen vehicle be seized in your country? |
- A vehicle may be seized if it appears to be of suspect origin either because
the person in charge of it has no ownership documents or because the documents
are forged.
A vehicle can also be seized when there is an Interpol message notifying
that it has been reported stolen/misappropriated. The power to seize the vehicle
comes from the Greek legislation which treats theft as a continuing crime.
Therefore, a person who has a stolen/misappropriated vehicle on Greek territory
infringes Greek laws.
| 2.
What channels are used to notify the owner of the vehicle's location (Interpol
or other)? |
- The rightful owner of a stolen vehicle is notified through Interpol channels
of the location of the vehicle, the condition it is in and the procedure for
its recovery. Europol channels may also be used.
| 3.
Who is responsible for the storage of seized vehicles? |
- Foreign vehicles which have been seized under the circumstances described
under item 1, are handed over for safe-keeping to the Organisation of Public
Material Administration (O.D.D.Y.) by the Customs authorities in accordance
with Article 126 of the Act 1165/1918.
In certain circumstances a vehicle may be restored directly to its rightful
owner by the competent Police or Customs Authorities who seized the vehicle,
without it having been handed over to the O.D.D.Y. It goes without saying
that the rightful owner, in such a case, must have been notified and taken
all necessary steps to recover his vehicle.
| 4.
Are there any costs associated with storage of a seized stolen vehicle and
who is responsible for these costs? |
- Where a vehicle is kept in safe storage either by the O.D.D.Y. or by a
private garage the costs which are incurred must be borne by the owner. The
amount will depend on the duration of storage, the type of vehicle and whether
or not it has been kept under cover.
| 5.
How does a stolen vehicle get restored to its legal owner? |
a) Do the police have authority to restore the vehicle?
-
b) Is it the local court who authorises release of the vehicle?
-
c) Is it necessary to have a "commission rogatoire" to recover
the vehicle?
-
d) What documentation does the owner have to provide in order to recover
the vehicle?
- In order to recover a found stolen vehicle the legal owner must produce
the following documents:
1) The relevant police reports relating to the theft and subsequent discovery
of the vehicle.
2) The ownership documents for the vehicle.
3) Photocopies of the passport of the keeper of the vehicle containing the
entry made in it by the Customs authorising its temporary importation and
use in Greece. (These copies of the passport would only be required in the
situation where a vehicle had been imported into Greece and subsequently
stolen).
4) A document from the insurance company certifying that the owner of the
vehicle has not received compensation for the theft of his car. The signature
on this document must be authenticated.
5) When the vehicle is to be recovered by a third party, a certificate
must be produced signed by the owner authorising the person to collect the
vehicle and take it out of Greece. The signature on this document must be
authenticated.
6) Valid insurance cover, if the vehicle is to be driven out of the country.
7) To safeguard the Greek State's interests a sum of money must be deposited
with the Authority handing over the vehicle. This deposit covers the situation
where a vehicle does not leave the country within a predetermined time and
guarantees payment of the relevant customs duties and other taxes which
may be due. The deposit is automatically refunded if the vehicle leaves
the country as planned.
The documents mentioned in paras. 2, 4 & 5 must be translated into Greek
and certified by a Greek Consular official.
Where a vehicle is to be recovered by an Insurance Company, in addition to
the requirements under paras. 1, 2, 3, 6 & 7 above, the following documents
must also be produced.
* A document from the insurance company providing that the original owner
of the vehicle has received compensation for the theft of his vehicle. The
signature on this document must have been authenticated.
* Written authorisation from the relevant insurance company for their agent
to collect the vehicle and take it out of Greece. The signature on this document
must have been authenticated.
| 6.
Are there any time limits associated with recovery of the vehicle? (i.e.
after a certain period of time the vehicle becomes the property of the state
or police, etc.)? |
- If a vehicle has not been recovered within 1 year (twelve months) of its
seizure it becomes the property of the Greek State.
| 7.
Please give details of relevant legislation |
- The relevant legislation is only available in the Greek language.
| 8.
If the law in your country precludes the restitution of a stolen vehicle
to its original owner, please give the reasons why |
- Nothing in Greek legislation prevents the recovery of a stolen vehicle
by its rightful owner.
| 9.
Does your country have any bilateral treaties, conventions, or agreements
with other countries dealing with the recovery of stolen property? |
- If so, please describe how they operate and give details of the countries
concerned.
- Greece does not have any bilateral treaties or conventions with other countries
concerning the recovery of stolen property.
| 10.
Reference point, for assistance in case of difficulties |
- NCB Athens
tel. : (01) 644.0178
Last update : June 1997
