Right to private life and marriage

Right to private life and marriage.

Why is it useful in your everyday life?

In your daily life, your right for respect of your private life is protected with some of the following ways:

• No one is allowed to enter your house, while the police can only enter after special permission from the authorities.
• No one is allowed to read your letters and correspondence without special permission by the authorities.
• You are not obliged to reveal your sexual orientation or sexual desires. Your sexual activity and preferences are confidential and protected by law.

In Greece, you can marry with a civil or religious marriage. Alternatively, you can register a civil partnership with the help of a notary public.

Problems you may face

• How can someone interfere with my private life?

When someone (person, organization, government) gets access to your online communications without your approval, publicize details of your sex life, your property, your thoughts, emotions, physical or mental health and your interpersonal relationships.

• I am an asylum seeker, can I marry a Greek citizen?

The law does not forbid marriages for asylum seekers. In practice though, there are many difficulties and delays, since getting a marriage licence often requires various documents from the home country of the applicant, which most of the times are difficult to be obtained. Furthermore, municipalities, which are responsible for marriage licences in Greece, often ask for various documents while, at the same time, they do not follow a unified procedure and as a result they further cause confusion to asylum seekers. As an asylum seeker you can register a civil partnership in Greece with the help of a notary public.

• Can I marry a person of the same sex?

In Greece, no. However, you can register a civil partnership with your same sex partner through the help of a notary public.

• Can someone force me to marry?

No. You have the right not to get married if you do not want to.

• Can I marry two people at the same time?

In Greece, no.

• Can I get a divorce if I no longer want to be married?

In Greece, you are free at any time to ask for a divorce or a dissolution of your civil partnership. You can get a divorce even if you have children. It is important to ask for legal advice from a lawyer especially regarding issues around child custody and property.

• If I am married and get divorced, what happens with child custody?

In Greece, the divorce procedure takes place through the help of lawyers who will represent each side to help determine any custody and care details for underage children. In practice, usually the mother or father will legally take the custody and care of underage children while the other parent retains the right to communicate with their children. In many cases, one of the parents is obliged to pay monthly for expenses relating to rearing of children; this is often called an alimony. In case the couple cannot agree then the decision and rules of the child custody is taken by courts according to the Greek laws.

Possible solutions and answers

• What can I do if someone interferes with my private life?

It is a good idea to seek advice from a lawyer. You could also report the incident to the police, the Greek Ombudsman, or take the case to court after communication with a lawyer.

• What can I do if I am an asylum seeker and I find it difficult to marry with a Greek national?

You could seek advice from a lawyer or speak with an NGO to get help on this.