Crisis-hit couples opt for paper union

Cohabitation agreements are increasingly gaining ground in Greece since the introduction of the relevant legislation, data compiled by the Interior Ministry from the country’s registry offices has shown.

“Cohabitation agreements are increasing at a rate of around 30 percent per year,” the head of the Athens Notary Association, Constantinos Vlachakis, told Kathimerini. “It is considered cheaper, even than a civil wedding, because a wedding in Greece always entails a ceremony and expenses.”

In 2009, when cohabitation first became recognized by law, 161 such agreements were drawn, according to the data. By 2014, this number rose to 1,568, while in the first month of 2015 alone, 143 agreements have already been drawn up, the figures show.