Sealing (σφράγιση) is the most expensive sanction for a business: every day closed means lost revenue, staff without work and customers who go elsewhere. Here, time counts from the very first hour.
Thanks to our specialisation in food and beverage businesses (“shops of sanitary interest”, ΚΥΕ), we deal with decisions on temporary or permanent suspension of operation (διακοπή λειτουργίας), sealing and other administrative sanctions by every appropriate means. Our aim is to avoid the sealing or to limit the damage, so that the business can continue to operate without interruption.
What we examine immediately
- The exact violation and the legal basis of the sanction.
- Whether the body that took the decision is competent.
- The previous violations that were counted, and whether they fall within the period required by law.
- Whether the procedure was followed, such as the prior hearing, and whether the act states adequate reasons.
- The proportionality of the measure and the dates of service, from which the deadlines start to run.
- What must be corrected at the premises immediately, so that the violation does not continue or recur.
The remedies available
- Submissions at the prior hearing: before the decision is issued, this is often the best opportunity to prevent the sanction.
- Administrative appeals: objections (αντιρρήσεις), requests for reconsideration (αίτηση θεραπείας) and hierarchical or special appeals, where provided for.
- Special administrative appeal to the Local Government Supervisor (Επόπτης ΟΤΑ): against acts of the Municipality, within 15 days; it is mandatory before going to court.
- Judicial protection: application for suspension of enforcement and for an interim order, application for annulment (αίτηση ακύρωσης) or appeal (προσφυγή) before the administrative courts.
Two common rules that lead to sealing
Sealing by the Police: in entertainment venues and in businesses serving alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises, three violations within one year (e.g. music without a permit or beyond the permitted hours, noise, disturbance of public quiet), recorded by police officers, lead to sealing for 10 days. Within that period the Municipality must decide to revoke the licence or, for businesses operating under a notification, to suspend their operation temporarily. If that suspension lasts more than 10 days, the sealing continues for an equal period (article 350 para. 4 of Law 5314/2026, article 2 para. 2 of Presidential Decree 180/1979).
Outdoor seating: if a new violation is found within the year, after an order to remove the unauthorised occupation has been served on you and 7 days have passed, a food and beverage business faces a double fine or sealing for 3 to 10 days (article 400 of Law 5314/2026).
Sealing or suspension of operation is also provided for in other cases, e.g. after convictions, when a previous sealing is breached, or when an activity is carried out without the required approval.
Frequently asked questions
I received a summons to a prior hearing. What does it mean?
The authority is inviting you to present your views before it decides on the sanction. The deadline is usually short, so send us the document immediately, with the date on which you received it.
Can the sealing be stopped?
If the sealing or the revocation of the licence was decided by the Municipality, a special administrative appeal must first be filed with the Local Government Supervisor within 15 days of notification. Without it, an appeal to the court is inadmissible. Together with the appeal, suspension of enforcement and an interim order may be requested (articles 692–697 of Law 5314/2026). Against acts of other authorities, such as the Police, suspension is requested from the administrative court. It is not granted automatically: it depends on the grounds against the act and on the damage that is proven, so the file must be prepared carefully and quickly.
Can I open the business if I disagree with the sealing?
No. Breaking a seal has serious criminal consequences, even for anyone who works at the premises. Disagreement is expressed through lawful means, not by opening the business.
See also: Criminal and administrative cases · Sealing by decision of the Police (article from 2014, updated in 2026; in Greek)