Out-of-court settlements: 65% increase in May

The number of settlements under the out-of-court mechanism continues to rise. In May, 2,205 new settlements were reached, corresponding to initial debt amounts of €564 million, marking a 65% increase compared to the settlements in May 2025. At the same time, the amount ultimately settled based on eligibility criteria stood at €569 million.

There was also a significant monthly increase in the number of applications initiated and final submissions, which reached 5,967 and 3,128, respectively.

 

According to the Ministry of Finance, this remarkable increase is primarily attributed to the new legislative framework and the expansion of eligibility criteria for the out-of-court settlement mechanism. These changes allow a greater number of debtors to settle their outstanding debts and protect their assets.

 

Since the launch of the out-of-court mechanism platform, 60,395 settlements have been successfully completed, corresponding to initial debts totaling 18.65 billion euros. This development demonstrates that citizens are placing increasing trust in the mechanism.

 

The participation of financially vulnerable households remains particularly encouraging. In May, 10% of the arrangements involved financially vulnerable debtors and people with disabilities. At the same time, since the mechanism was implemented, 560 debtors have successfully obtained a stay of enforcement proceedings, ensuring effective protection of their property and primary residence. 

According to first-quarter 2026 data from systemic banks, nearly 50% of NPLs on average have been written off, while nearly 15% are under restructuring. 

Alongside government measures, bilateral loan restructuring continues, with the four largest servicers (Intrum, Cepal, DoValue, Qquant) recording 26 arrangements in April totaling 205 million euros, involving 2,980 debtors. The majority of the restructured debts relate to mortgage loans. 

Finally, it is noted that, with the aim of more effectively utilizing the available debt settlement tools, the General Secretariat for the Financial Sector and Private Debt Management provides nationwide assistance via video call or telephone, by appointment, either through the platform https://www.gov.gr/ipiresies/polites-kai-kathemerinoteta/ex-apostaseos-exuperetese-politon/exuperetese-me-telediaskepse-kai-telephonike-epikoinonia-apo-ten-eidike-grammateia-diakheirises-idiotikou-khreous-egdikh or by calling 213.212.5730.