Treaty Coverage

Greece's Extradition Treaty Network

Greece's treaty coverage runs deep \u2014 and includes one distinctly Greek exception most people never expect.

Direct answer: Greece's extradition coverage runs through three layers: the European Arrest Warrant for all EU member states under Law 3251/2004, the 1957 European Convention on Extradition covering all Council of Europe states, and roughly a dozen specific bilateral treaties. Uniquely among most jurisdictions, Greek law also recognises a broad exception for tax and press offences \u2014 alongside the more familiar political and military offence exceptions.
The Layers

How Greece's Coverage Is Actually Structured

01

European Arrest Warrant

Covers all EU member states under Law 3251/2004, with no dual criminality check for 32 catalogue offences.

02

1957 European Convention

Extends coverage to all Council of Europe states through the traditional extradition process under the Greek Code of Criminal Procedure.

03

Bilateral Treaties

Roughly a dozen specific bilateral agreements exist alongside broader multilateral conventions such as UNCAC and UNTOC.

04

The Tax & Press Exception

Greece recognises a notably broad exception for tax and press offences, in addition to the standard political and military offence exceptions.

Why This Matters

Real Numbers, Real Grounds to Resist

A

Refusal Rate

Greece received roughly 304 extradition requests between 2014 and 2018, refusing between 10 and 20 percent of them.

B

Human Rights Grounds

CJEU case law allows Greek courts to pause EAW surrender where genuine detention-condition or fair-trial concerns are raised.

C

Nationality Is a Factor, Not a Bar

Greek nationality weighs in the Judicial Council's decision, but Greek nationals can still be surrendered under an EAW for prosecution.

D

Beyond the Named List

Where no treaty applies, cooperation is not automatically foreclosed, though it becomes considerably more case-specific.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions

What makes Greece's tax and press offence exception unusual?

Most jurisdictions limit non-extradition to political and military offences; Greece extends this to a broader category covering tax and press-related matters.

How often does Greece actually refuse extradition requests?

Historical data shows a refusal rate in the range of 10 to 20 percent of requests received.

Does this list ever change?

Yes \u2014 Greece continues to participate in evolving EU and international frameworks, so coverage should always be checked against your specific situation.

Assessing Your Real Exposure?

Get a clear-eyed assessment rather than assuming treaty status protects you.