Can I hold a demonstration?
Yes: peaceful, unarmed assembly is a constitutional right (Art. 11). Under Law 4703/2020 there's a notification regime — not a permit: the organizer notifies the local police (in writing or online) of identity, place, time, purpose and route. The "organizer" is a defined role (whoever invites the public or is named). Authorities may, by reasoned decision, restrict or ban for a serious threat to public order or disproportionate disruption, and dissolve an assembly that was banned or breaches conditions. The organizer has civil liability for damage, unless timely notification was given. In short: yes, with notification.
📋 The rules
- Notification regime, not a permit (Law 4703/2020)
- The organizer: notifies place/time/purpose/route
- Authorities: restrict/ban with reasons (serious risk)
- Dissolution if banned or breaching conditions
- Organizer: civil liability for damage (unless notified in time)
🔓 Exceptions
- May Day & Polytechnic (17 Nov): no notification
- Spontaneous assemblies: allowed without prior notice
- Peaceful/unarmed: protection only covers these
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Peaceful participation isn't punished — it's a right. But violently altering an assembly's peaceful character is punished with imprisonment up to 2 years, and the organizer has civil liability to compensate third parties for harm caused by participants — unless timely notification was given and obligations met (no cap on the compensation). Beware a myth: "you need police permission to protest" — wrong; it's notification, not authorisation. To stay compliant as an organizer: notify in time, observe the conditions (route/time), and keep the assembly peaceful and unarmed.
📎 Official sources
- Law 4703/2020 — public outdoor assemblies →
- PD 73/2020 — implementation →
- Constitution (Art. 11) — right of assembly →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I need permission to protest?
No. Peaceful, unarmed assembly is a constitutional right. There's a notification regime, not a permit: the organizer informs the police of place, time, purpose and route. It's a myth that police approval or a permit is needed to hold a demonstration.
Who is the organizer and what liability do they have?
The organizer is whoever invites the public to the assembly or is named in the notification. They have civil liability to compensate third parties for damage caused by participants, unless timely notification was given and obligations met. It's a defined legal role.
Can an assembly be banned?
Yes, by a reasoned decision of the authorities, for a serious threat to public order or disproportionate disruption of socio-economic life. The police can also dissolve an assembly that was banned, not notified, or breaching the conditions set.
Does every gathering need notification?
Not all. The traditional May Day and Polytechnic-anniversary (17 November) assemblies don't need notification, and spontaneous assemblies are allowed without prior notice. In other cases, notification is the rule.
What does someone using violence risk?
Violently altering an assembly's peaceful character is punished with imprisonment up to 2 years. The protection of the right covers only peaceful, unarmed assemblies. Acts of violence or carrying weapons take participation outside the right's protected scope.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “protest permission notification”
- “law 4703/2020 assemblies”
- “demonstration organizer liability”
- “banning an assembly”
- “right to protest constitution”
- “dissolving a protest police”