Master Services Agreement in Greece: Template, Key Clauses and Local Law (2026)

A Master Services Agreement (MSA) in Greece is the framework contract between a service provider and a customer. It fixes the terms that apply to all work, then lets each project run under a short Statement of Work (SOW) instead of a new negotiation each time. This guide covers the Greek law that governs an MSA, the clauses to include, a skeleton you can adapt, and the common mistakes. This is general information, not legal advice. Greek contract law is set mainly in the Civil Code, so confirm the detail with a qualified Greek lawyer before you sign. ## When you need an MSA in Greece Use an MSA when the relationship repeats: managed services, consulting, development, or marketing. The MSA holds the stable terms (liability, IP, confidentiality, payment), and each SOW adds the scope, price, and timeline for one project. One well-drafted MSA can carry years of work. ## Greek law that governs an MSA Greece is a civil-law country, and the law of obligations in the Greek Civil Code (Astikos Kodikas) is the backbone of any commercial contract. ### Freedom of contract and good faith Article 361 of the Civil Code recognises freedom of contract, so the parties largely set their own terms. But good faith runs through the Code: Article 200 requires contracts to be interpreted in good faith having regard to business usage, and Article 288 requires performance in good faith. These are general clauses that courts use to fill gaps and, where needed, to correct terms. A term that offends good faith can be read down. ### Standard terms and unfair clauses Where one party imposes general transaction terms (standard form clauses), Law 2251/1994 on consumer protection controls unfair terms, and its principles influence business dealings too. Negotiated bespoke terms have more freedom. ### Late payment Greek law implements the EU Late Payment Directive (2011/7/EU). In business-to-business deals the default payment period is 30 days, and periods beyond 60 days are allowed only where expressly agreed and not grossly unfair to the creditor, with statutory interest on late payment. ### Limitation of claims The Civil Code sets a general limitation period of 20 years (Article 249), with a shorter 5 year period for many business and periodic claims (Article 250). Note the period you intend rather than relying on the default. ## Key clauses to include - Structure and order of precedence. The MSA governs, each SOW adds detail, and state which wins on conflict.

• Services and SOWs. No work begins without a signed SOW.
• Fees and payment. Rates, invoicing, a payment period within the 30 or 60 day rule, and interest on late payment.
• Intellectual property. Who owns deliverables and who keeps background IP. Greek copyright vests in the author, so assign or licence expressly.
• Confidentiality and data protection. Mutual confidentiality, plus a data processing agreement where personal data is handled.
• Warranties and service levels. What the provider promises and the remedies.
• Limitation of liability. A cap and exclusion of indirect loss, kept proportionate so good-faith review does not reopen it.
• Indemnities. Usually for IP infringement and breach of confidentiality.
• Term and termination. Duration, renewal, termination for cause and convenience, and the effect on live SOWs.
• Governing law and disputes. Greek law, and the Greek courts or arbitration. ## A usable MSA skeleton 1. Parties and definitions

2. Structure and precedence (MSA, SOWs, order of priority)
3. Scope of services and the SOW process
4. Provider obligations and service levels
5. Customer obligations and dependencies
6. Fees, invoicing, and payment terms
7. Intellectual property and licences
8. Confidentiality
9. Data protection (reference Law 4624/2019 and the GDPR)
10. Warranties and disclaimers
11. Limitation of liability
12. Indemnities
13. Term, renewal, and termination
14. Consequences of termination (transition, data return)
15. Governing law and dispute resolution
16. Signatures ## Common mistakes to avoid - No order of precedence. An unclear hierarchy between SOW and MSA invites disputes.

• Forgetting the IP assignment. Greek copyright stays with the author unless transferred, so silence leaves the customer without ownership.
• Overlong payment terms. A period beyond 60 days that is grossly unfair to the creditor can be challenged under the late payment rules.
• One-sided terms. Clauses that offend good faith (Articles 200 and 288) can be read down, especially in standard-form contracts.
• No data processing terms. A bare confidentiality clause does not meet the GDPR where personal data is processed. ## One workspace for your Greek contracts An MSA rarely travels alone: it spawns SOWs, order forms, and renewals, each with its own dates and obligations. Keeping the master terms, every SOW, and the deadlines in one place, instead of scattered folders and inboxes, is what stops things slipping. Adira is an AI legal workspace built for that: draft, review, and track related contracts together, with each clause modelled so edits stay consistent across documents. Adira is deepest in Indian law today, and wider jurisdiction depth, including Greece, is on its roadmap, so treat non-India output as a starting draft for local counsel to check. Get the Civil Code basics right first, use a clean skeleton, and keep the paperwork in one trail.