Is Dating Siblings Legal in Greece After the 2026 Policy Reforms?

No, incestuous relationships between siblings remain criminalized under Greek law, with potential penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment under Article 364 of the Greek Penal Code, despite rare enforcement. The Hellenic Data Protection Authority (HDPA) monitors familial privacy violations, while the Ministry of Justice has signaled no imminent repeal of these provisions.

Key Regulations for Dating Siblings in Greece

  • Article 364 of the Greek Penal Code explicitly prohibits sexual relations between siblings, classifying them as a felony punishable by imprisonment, reflecting long-standing moral and genetic concerns.
  • Article 365 extends restrictions to parent-child relationships, reinforcing a broader prohibition on consanguineous unions, with judicial discretion in sentencing based on aggravating or mitigating factors.
  • 2026 Compliance Shifts: The Ministry of Justice’s draft amendments to the Penal Code propose stricter penalties for familial sexual exploitation, aligning with EU trafficking directives, though sibling-specific clauses remain unchanged.

Greek courts historically apply these laws selectively, often prioritizing cases involving coercion or minors, but consensual adult sibling relationships remain legally perilous. The HDPA’s 2025 guidance on familial privacy underscores the state’s reluctance to decriminalize such unions, despite evolving social attitudes.