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Key Facts: Greek Notary Exam Exam

Law 2830/2000

Code of Notaries governing notarial appointments, functions, and liability.

2 years

Practice as a lawyer, judicial officer or unsalaried land registrar required by Article 20.

10.00 / 20

Minimum passing grade required in each individual examined subject.

€60

Examination fee paid in advance to the competition's Organizing Committee.

The Greek Notary Competition is the state examination administered by the Ministry of Justice under Law 2830/2000, held only at the Courts of Appeal of Athens and Thessaloniki. Lawyers with at least 2 years of practice sit 5 written subjects covering civil, commercial, procedural, notarial, and real estate tax laws, plus an optional foreign language. This 100-question bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation.

Sample Greek Notary Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Greek Notary Exam exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under Article 1033 of the Greek Civil Code (Αστικός Κώδικας - ΑΚ), what two statutory requirements are indispensable for the valid contractual transfer of ownership of an immovable property?
A.A private written contract and hand delivery of keys before two witnesses.
B.A notarial deed alone, since the notary's official capacity perfects the transfer.
C.A notarial deed (συμβολαιογραφικό έγγραφο) and transcription/registration in the competent Land Registry or Cadastral Office (μεταγραφή/εγγραφή).
D.A stamped petition filed before the Single-Member Court of First Instance.
Explanation: Article 1033 ΑΚ provides that for the transfer of ownership of immovable property, an agreement between the owner and the acquirer that ownership is transferred for lawful cause is required, which must be executed by notarial deed and registered in the public mortgage registry or cadastral office.
2Under Article 1034 of the Greek Civil Code (ΑΚ), how is ownership of movable property transferred between living persons?
A.Solely by a notarial deed registered at the Ministry of Development.
B.By the transfer agreement alone, delivery being relevant only to the risk of loss.
C.Exclusively by an affidavit before a magistrate.
D.By an agreement between the owner and the acquirer that ownership is transferred, coupled with the delivery of possession (παράδοση της νομής).
Explanation: Article 1034 ΑΚ provides that the transfer of ownership of a movable requires an agreement between the owner and the acquirer that ownership is transferred, accompanied by the physical or constructive delivery of possession of the movable to the acquirer.
3Under Article 498 of the Greek Civil Code (ΑΚ), what is the statutory formal requirement for the validity of a contract of donation (δωρεά)?
A.It requires a notarial deed in every case, with no exception even for a gift that is handed over on the spot.
B.It can always be executed by simple private informal agreement even for real estate.
C.It must be drawn up by notarial deed; however, for movables, execution by immediate delivery of the gift cures the lack of notarial deed.
D.A private written document suffices, provided it is deposited with the tax authority.
Explanation: Under Article 498(1) ΑΚ, a contract of donation must be drawn up by notarial deed on pain of nullity. Paragraph 2 provides that a donation of movable property executed by delivery of the gift is valid even without a notarial document.
4Under Article 1509 of the Greek Civil Code (ΑΚ), how is a parental grant (γονική παροχή) of real estate legally characterized and executed?
A.As an informal loan contract repayable upon the parent's retirement.
B.As an ordinary donation in every respect, attracting the same treatment as a gift to a stranger.
C.As a testamentary bequest taking effect only upon both parents' demise.
D.As an inter vivos legal transfer for the creation or economic independence of a child, which must be executed by notarial deed and registered.
Explanation: Article 1509 ΑΚ provides that property conveyed by parents to children to establish or maintain economic independence or professional establishment is a parental grant. It requires a notarial deed and land registration when involving immovables, and is not treated as a donation to the extent it corresponds to parental circumstances.
5Under Article 1710 of the Greek Civil Code (ΑΚ), when does succession (κληρονομική διαδοχή) legally open?
A.Upon the execution of a notarial deed of acceptance by all heirs.
B.On the date the death is entered in the civil register.
C.Only after the tax office completes a post-mortem audit.
D.Immediately upon the physical death or judicial declaration of presumptive death (αφάνεια) of the person.
Explanation: Article 1710(1) ΑΚ establishes that upon the death of a person, their estate passes by succession to one or more persons (heirs) either by will or by operation of law. Article 1711 ΑΚ affirms that the devolution opens at the moment of death.
6Under Article 1724 of the Greek Civil Code (ΑΚ), what are the formal requirements for executing a Public Will (δημόσια διαθήκη)?
A.The testator hands the notary a sealed envelope containing the will, declaring that it holds their last wishes.
B.The testator writes and signs the will personally and lodges it with the notary for safekeeping.
C.The testator dictates their last will to the notary in the uninterrupted presence of three witnesses, or a second notary and one witness.
D.The testator declares their wishes to the notary alone, the notary's official capacity dispensing with any witnesses.
Explanation: Article 1724 ΑΚ mandates that a public will is made by declaration of the testator's last will before a notary in the presence of three witnesses, or in the presence of a second notary and one witness, adhering to continuous presence and formal reading rules.
7Under Article 1738 of the Greek Civil Code (ΑΚ), what procedure defines the execution of a Mystic Will (μυστική διαθήκη)?
A.The testator conceals handwritten notes inside a private bank vault without notarial involvement.
B.The testator dictates the will to the notary, who then seals it in an envelope without reading it back.
C.The testator presents a sealed document to the notary in the presence of three witnesses (or a second notary and one witness), orally declaring that it contains their last will, which the notary then officially seals and certifies on the envelope.
D.The testator deposits a sealed envelope with the notary without any declaration as to its contents.
Explanation: Article 1738 et seq. ΑΚ provides that a mystic will consists of the delivery by the testator of a document to the notary in the presence of three witnesses (or a second notary and one witness), with the oral declaration that the document contains their last will, followed by official sealing and a deed inscribed on the envelope.
8Under Article 1721 of the Greek Civil Code (ΑΚ), what are the essential formal requirements for the validity of a Holographic Will (ιδιόγραφη διαθήκη)?
A.It must be typed on a computer and signed by two witnesses.
B.It must be handwritten and signed, but a date is not required.
C.It must be handwritten and signed in the presence of two witnesses.
D.It must be written entirely by the testator's own hand, dated (day, month, year), and signed by the testator.
Explanation: Article 1721(1) ΑΚ provides that a holographic will must be written entirely by the hand of the testator, dated with indication of day, month, and year, and signed by them. Typewritten holographic wills are absolutely null.
9Under Article 1825 of the Greek Civil Code (ΑΚ), who are the forced heirs (νόμιμοι μεριδούχοι) entitled to a statutory forced share (νόμιμη μοίρα), and what is the proportion of that share?
A.Only the eldest son, entitled to 100% of the estate.
B.The descendants and the surviving spouse only, entitled to one-third (1/3) of their intestate share.
C.The descendants, the parents, and the surviving spouse of the decedent, entitled to one-half (1/2) of their intestate statutory succession share.
D.The State and municipal authorities, entitled to one-quarter (1/4).
Explanation: Article 1825(1) ΑΚ establishes that descendants, parents, and the surviving spouse who would be called as intestate heirs are forced heirs entitled to a forced share equal to one-half (1/2) of the intestate share they would have received.
10Under Article 1847 of the Greek Civil Code (ΑΚ), what is the statutory deadline for an heir to renounce an inheritance (αποποίηση κληρονομιάς)?
A.Four (4) months from the date the heir learned of the devolution and the reason for it; or one (1) year if the decedent resided abroad or the heir learned of devolution while residing abroad.
B.Thirty (30) days regardless of where the decedent or heir resides.
C.Five (5) years from the date of the funeral.
D.There is no deadline; an heir may renounce at any time during their life.
Explanation: Article 1847 ΑΚ provides that renunciation of inheritance must take place within four months from the time the heir became aware of the devolution and of the reason for it. If the decedent had their last residence abroad or the heir was residing abroad when learning of it, the period is one year.

About the Greek Notary Exam Exam

The Greek Notary Competition Examination (Πανελλήνιος Διαγωνισμός Υποψηφίων Συμβολαιογράφων) is the premier statutory competition organized by the Ministry of Justice under Law 2830/2000 (Code of Notaries / Κώδικας Συμβολαιογράφων) to appoint notaries public to vacant organic seats throughout Greece. In the Greek civil law tradition, notaries are unsalaried public officials (άμισθοι δημόσιοι λειτουργοί) vested with state authority to draft and authenticate public instruments (δημόσια έγγραφα) for real estate conveyances, corporate formations, wills, mortgages, and matrimonial agreements. Eligibility requires a recognized law degree (Πτυχίο Νομικής), completion of the 28th year of age, and two years spent as a lawyer, a judicial officer of any branch and grade, or an unsalaried land registrar. The competition is held only at the seats of the Courts of Appeal of Athens and Thessaloniki, and the written competition tests candidates across five subjects: Civil Law (with deep emphasis on property and succession), Commercial Law, Civil Procedure (especially enforcement and auctions), Code of Notaries, and Special Laws (including Land Registry / Κτηματολόγιο, Real Estate Transfer Tax, horizontal and vertical property divisions, and Law 2844/2000). Candidates must score at least 10.00/20 on every paper to qualify for appointment, which is allocated strictly in order of merit ranking. Note on format and language: the official examination consists of written practical legal problems in Greek. This 100-question practice bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation for conceptual mastery, statutory recall, and procedural rule review. It is not an official translation or format simulation.

Exam sponsor: Ministry of Justice & Greek Notarial Associations. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Five written subjects listed in Article 25 § 6 of Law 2830/2000, sat only at the seats of the Courts of Appeal of Athens and Thessaloniki: (a) Civil Law, (b) Commercial Law, (c) Civil Procedure, (d) Code of Notaries, and (e) Special laws on horizontal and vertical property, the General Building Regulation, the Forest Code, property-transfer taxation and stamp duties, the Hellenic Cadastre statutes including Law 2664/1998, and Law 2844/2000 on security over movables and claims. Each subject is examined through a synthetic practical problem plus theoretical questions. Candidates may optionally be examined in one or two of English, French and German.

Time Limit

Fixed each year by the ministerial announcement; the Code sets no per-subject duration

Passing Score

Minimum grade of 10.00/20 in each examined subject and ranking within advertised vacant seats

Exam / Certification Fees

€60 examination fee (εξέταστρα) paid in advance to the Organizing Committee

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

Civil Law & Property Law (Αστικό Δίκαιο: Εμπράγματο, Ενοχικό, Κληρονομικό, Οικογενειακό)

Greek Civil Code (ΑΚ) rules on real property conveyances, mortgages, servitudes, usufruct, sales, donations, wills, probate, inheritance distribution, parental grants, and matrimonial property regimes.

20%

Commercial Law & Company Deeds (Εμπορικό Δίκαιο)

Corporate formations, statutes, and amendments under Law 4548/2018 (Sociétés Anonymes / Α.Ε.), Law 4072/2012 (Private Companies / Ι.Κ.Ε.), and Law 3190/1955 (Limited Liability Companies / Ε.Π.Ε.), alongside commercial registers (ΓΕΜΗ), business transfers, and insolvency.

20%

Civil Procedure, Enforcement & Auctions (Πολιτική Δικονομία & Αναγκαστική Εκτέλεση)

Code of Civil Procedure (ΚΠολΔ) rules on voluntary jurisdiction (εκούσια δικαιοδοσία), authentic instruments, executory titles (εκτελεστός τίτλος), electronic auctions (ηλεκτρονικοί πλειστηριασμοί), rank of claims, and distribution of auction proceeds.

15%

Code of Notaries & Notarial Deontology (Κώδικας Συμβολαιογράφων)

Statutory duties, jurisdiction, incompatibilities, legal liability, formalities of notarial acts, causes of invalidity, notarial archives, protocol maintenance, and disciplinary law under Law 2830/2000.

20%

Special Real Estate, Tax & Cadastral Legislation (Ειδικοί Νόμοι: Κτηματολόγιο, Φορολογία, Οροφοκτησία)

National Land Registry (Εθνικό Κτηματολόγιο / Law 2664/1998), Horizontal and Vertical Co-ownership (Law 3741/1929 and LD 1024/1971), Real Estate Transfer Tax (ΦΜΑ), inheritance and donation tax, forest maps, arbitrary building certificates (Law 4495/2017), and non-possessory pledges (Law 2844/2000).

Preparing for the Greek Notary Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Minimum grade of 10.00/20 in each examined subject and ranking within advertised vacant seats
  • Assessment: Five written subjects listed in Article 25 § 6 of Law 2830/2000, sat only at the seats of the Courts of Appeal of Athens and Thessaloniki: (a) Civil Law, (b) Commercial Law, (c) Civil Procedure, (d) Code of Notaries, and (e) Special laws on horizontal and vertical property, the General Building Regulation, the Forest Code, property-transfer taxation and stamp duties, the Hellenic Cadastre statutes including Law 2664/1998, and Law 2844/2000 on security over movables and claims. Each subject is examined through a synthetic practical problem plus theoretical questions. Candidates may optionally be examined in one or two of English, French and German.
  • Time limit: Fixed each year by the ministerial announcement; the Code sets no per-subject duration
  • Exam / certification fees: €60 examination fee (εξέταστρα) paid in advance to the Organizing Committee Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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Greek Notary Exam: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the formalities of notarial acts under Articles 4–18 of Law 2830/2000, including identification of parties, presence of witnesses, reading of the deed, signatures, and nullity sanctions.
2Understand the interaction between the Hellenic Cadastre (Law 2664/1998) and the traditional Mortgage Registry (Υποθηκοφυλακείο), especially initial registrations and correction of errors.
3Review the tax declaration procedures and prerequisites for real estate deeds (ENFIA certificates, building legality certificates under Law 4495/2017, and tax clearance).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of a notary public in the Greek legal system?

In Greece, a notary public (συμβολαιογράφος) is an unsalaried public official vested with state authority to draft and authenticate public instruments. Notarial deeds are mandatory for transactions involving real estate conveyance, mortgages, corporate articles of association, wills, and gifts.

What are the eligibility requirements to compete for a notary seat?

Article 19 of Law 2830/2000 requires Greek or EU citizenship and a recognized law degree (Πτυχίο Νομικής). Article 20 adds two years spent as a lawyer, as a judicial officer of any branch and grade, or as an unsalaried land registrar, plus certification on the e-auction platform, and Article 21 sets a minimum age of 28 at the start of the competition.

What is the examination passing mark and appointment process?

Under Article 25 § 7 of Law 2830/2000 each script is marked 0–20 by three markers and candidates must reach at least 10 in every one of the five subjects. The total score is the sum of the five subject marks, increased by the mark obtained in each optional foreign language multiplied by 0.10 — a bonus counted only where the language mark is itself at least 10. Successful candidates then state their preferences for vacant notary seats and are appointed in order of total score.

In what language is the Greek Notary Competition held?

The official examination is held in Greek. This 100-question practice test is an English-language MCQ study adaptation for conceptual review and statutory recall.