The bill from the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, titled: “Measures to address the energy crisis and boost citizens’ disposable income, wage and tax provisions, regulations for the out-of-court debt settlement mechanism, public sector pension regulations, regulations concerning the Gaming Supervision and Control Commission and improvements to the gaming framework, regulations concerning the Public Real Estate Company S.A., and other provisions.”
The bill has been expanded with two improvements and five new additions.
What the new provisions entail:
Regarding the registration fee for hybrid vehicles
The eligibility of hybrid electric vehicles for a uniform 50% reduction in registration fees is extended for six months, until January 1, 2027, regardless of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. The previous system of emission-based discount rates is being abolished.
At the same time, electric hybrid vehicles with carbon dioxide emissions of 75 g/km or less, imported between November 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026, and have not yet been registered, are exempt from 75% of the registration fees.
Regarding the wage gap
A new provision taking effect on July 1, 2026, provides for the rectification of wage disparities due to personal differences among public servants.
Under the new measure, in public sector entities where the majority of employees had a personal difference—due to the extensions granted successively in 2018 and 2023 —salaries are being balanced by replacing the personal difference up to the amount of 300 euros with regular pay of 300 euros.
Approximately 1,500 employees (out of approximately 7,000 civil servants) at specific agencies will benefit, who were either hired after March 2023 or whose personal differential had fallen below this amount. This restores balance in civil servant salaries within the agencies themselves, resolving a problem that has persisted since 2011.
Regarding the exemption from seizure of a specific benefit provided by the Ministry of Education for students with hearing impairments
A provision is added to the bill to fill a legal gap and correct a social injustice regarding a specific benefit provided by the Ministry of Education for students with hearing impairments.
The new regulation stipulates that this specific benefit provided by the Ministry of Education for the supply of hearing aids to students with hearing impairments is non-transferable, unseizable, and cannot be pledged or offset against debts owed to the State, social security agencies, first- and second-level local authorities, or financial institutions of any kind.
For loans in Swiss francs - Extension
The protection program for borrowers with Swiss franc loans is extended until September 30, 2026, with the aim of giving more borrowers the opportunity to convert their loans to euros.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance aims, on the one hand, to permanently resolve these loans, putting an end to the uncertainty caused by exchange rate fluctuations, and doing so with a fixed interest rate and fixed monthly payments.
It is noted that to date, approximately 50% of borrowers have initiated their enrollment in this program.
Regarding the increase in the exemption limit to 1,600 euros
The exemption threshold for bank accounts is being raised to 1,600 euros for all debts owed to the government and banks.
Regarding the new tax regime for the management of alternative investments
A targeted tax framework is being established to attract to Greece individuals who manage alternative investment funds (hedge funds, private equity, AIFs).
This is a significant opportunity for the country, which aims to create an alternative investment management hub based in Athens, attracting highly specialized talent from the Middle East and Asia, as well as from London and other European capitals.
Moreover, an entire ecosystem of support services—legal, auditing, tax, banking, custodial, advisory, and technological—is developing around investment management operations, which in turn creates new jobs.
Foreign investment firms (established in the European Union and third countries under specific conditions) continue to be taxed where they are established.
The new framework ensures that if some executives move to Athens or if an office is established here to provide services to the Fund Manager, it is not automatically considered that the tax residence of the Manager, the investment entity, or the unit holders is “transferred” to Greece, nor does it create a permanent establishment for these entities in Greece.
This is not an exemption: the foreign group is taxed abroad in any case, while whatever is generated in Greece (service offices, salaries) is fully taxed here. This avoids double taxation and provides the legal certainty that foreign managers need to choose Athens.
Full taxation of all economic activity in Greece. Greece collects all taxes as usual:
- Service offices established in Greece to provide services to affiliated companies/managers are fully taxed at the standard corporate rate.
- All employees are fully taxed on their salaries and pay the required contributions, receiving the benefits and rights provided by Greek labor and social security laws.
- Corporate tax and VAT are paid as required.
Those who now transfer their tax residence to Greece, falling under the regime for incoming workers under Article 5C of the Income Tax Code, with a time limit of 7 years and provided they are employed by a Greek entity with operating expenses of at least €3 million per year, will be subject to a 5% tax rate exclusively on the carried interest/performance fees of management executives.
Regarding the mandatory quarterly reporting to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR) for online betting companies
Under another provision, the Hellenic Gaming Commission (HGC) will compile and submit to the AADE every quarter all necessary data extracted from the software server (server) or data security (safe) that betting companies—which have received an official license from the EEP for online gambling and betting—are required to maintain.
This enhances the transparency of the market’s operations and ensures the effectiveness of the AADE’s oversight mechanisms. By utilizing this data, the AADE gains a reliable and verifiable audit tool for accurately determining the amounts owed to the State, as well as for cross-checking the accuracy of the returns submitted by license holders.
What the bill provides for:
Its provisions include new support measures for disposable income, private debt, and housing. Furthermore, the bill constitutes a comprehensive legislative framework for the prevention, detection, and combating of illegal gambling.
In this context:
- The role and powers of the Gaming Supervision and Control Commission (E.E.E.P.) are strengthened so that it can immediately remove illegal online content by identifying involved accounts and websites.
- The Gaming Inspectors Corps is being upgraded, with its members being granted the authority of special investigative officers to investigate criminal offenses related to the gambling market.
- Provisions are made for the immediate closure of establishments for up to one year, as well as the revocation of operating licenses by municipalities, for establishments where illegal gambling takes place.
- Strict administrative and criminal penalties are established for violators, as well as prison sentences for those who obstruct inspections.
More specifically, the provisions provide for:
Strengthening the Hellenic Gaming Supervision and Control Commission (E.E.E.P.)
- The creation of new permanent positions and the regulation of personnel matters. Specifically, the total number of permanent positions at the Commission is increased from 80 today to 110. Of these, 70 positions are for administrative staff and the remaining 40 are for specialized scientific staff with expertise in gaming.
- Possibility of staff transfer to the Hellenic Gaming Commission, following a relevant application and evaluation by a five-member committee.
- Provisions regarding the Committee’s operation, operating regulations, and regulatory powers.
- Following the consent of the E.E.E.P., the national strategy for responsible gaming is formulated. The Authority is granted the ability to enter into contracts for supplies and services—such as studies, research, and initiatives—within the framework of its supervisory role to combat illegal gambling and address addiction.
Measures to control illegal online activity
- Compilation of a list of unlicensed gambling providers (“blacklist”), blocking of access, and domain name monitoring.
- Regulations regarding confiscated player funds, addressing the issue of the freezing or seizure of player accounts by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE).
Administrative sanctions and controls
- Imposition of administrative sanctions on internet providers and advertisers associated with the illegal organization and operation of games.
- Imposition of a lump-sum fine ranging from 1,000 to 2,000,000 euros per violation or per gaming machine, depending on the severity and frequency of the violation.
- Temporary revocation of a license for up to three months or permanent revocation, depending on the severity and frequency of the violation.
- Those who illegally advertise gambling through online channels—such as influencers, streamers, digital ad networks, affiliates, and advertisers—are subject to a fine of €5,000 to €50,000 per violation.
Criminal penalties
- For illegal non-gambling games, the penalty is imprisonment for at least three years and a fine ranging from 10,000 to 500,000 euros. To date, the fine in such cases has ranged from 100,000 to 200,000 euros per gaming machine or from 200,000 to 500,000 euros for online operations.
- For illegal gambling, the penalty is imprisonment for at least ten years and a fine ranging from 50,000 to 700,000 euros. Currently, the existing regulations provide for a fine of 700,000 euros and imprisonment for ten years.
- If the organization of illegal gambling is carried out professionally, on a commercial scale, with the participation of underage players, or in an establishment that reopens after a seal has been broken, the penalty is imprisonment for at least ten years and a fine ranging from 100,000 to 800,000 euros. Currently, no such escalation of penalties is provided for.
- The prison sentence for those who organize games of chance without the required licenses and/or certifications is set at a minimum of one year and is accompanied by a fine. If the games organized are games of chance, the penalty is imprisonment for at least two years and a fine.
- Anyone participating in a game of chance organized without a license is punishable by imprisonment for up to two years and a fine, which in the case of a repeat offense increases from 5,000 to 20,000 euros.
Investigative Powers
- Investigative powers are vested in the Gaming Control Board.
Taxation of winnings
- Taxation on the winnings of online casino-style gambling players is increased.
Pension provisions for public sector retirees who died in service and related categories
A series of provisions in the bill resolves issues regarding pension adjustments following the implementation of new salary laws for military personnel and those legally equated with them who fall under the jurisdiction of the General Accounting Office, such as those injured in the line of duty or persons receiving the relevant pension due to death, as well as war pensioners and other categories.
Supplementary budget of 800 million euros and support measures to address the energy crisis
The same bill includes the supplementary budget, as well as additional support measures totaling €800 million.
The measures concern:
- boosting disposable income,
- supporting families with children and vulnerable social groups,
- addressing the housing crisis through supply-side measures,
- as well as the management of private debt.
Specifically, the following are provided for:
Provisions for the out-of-court debt settlement mechanism and private debt
- The Out-of-Court Debt Settlement Mechanism is being expanded, as the minimum debt threshold is reduced to €5,000 from €10,000 today.
- For the first time, the option to repay debts and save one’s primary residence by liquidating other properties is provided under the out-of-court mechanism.
- The option to settle debts in up to 72 installments is established for debts that had not been settled by the end of 2023.
- The option to lift a bank account garnishment is provided, provided the debtor pays off 25% of their debt and settles the remaining confirmed debts to the tax administration.
Measures to address the energy crisis and support farmers
- A new procedure is established for exemption from excise tax on agricultural diesel, with a direct discount at the pump via a special digital platform of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE).
- The application of the special GAIA Tariff is set to be extended to new farmers so they can benefit from lower electricity costs.
Support for families, retirees, and vulnerable groups
- Emergency financial assistance is being established for families with children, amounting to 150 euros for each dependent child, with expanded income criteria.
- The support paid every November to retirees and vulnerable social groups is increased to 300 euros, up from 250 euros today, while income criteria are also expanded, resulting in an increase in the number of beneficiaries.
- At the same time, those receiving only a widow’s pension will be eligible for the €300 benefit starting at age 60, rather than 65.
Measures for housing
- Rent reimbursement: The income limits for rent reimbursement are being expanded, meaning that 85% of tenants are now covered.
- Teachers, doctors, and nurses serving in Greece’s regions are eligible for a two-month rent refund, with no income-related restrictions.
- Short-term rentals (Airbnb): The issuance of new permits for properties located in the First Municipal Community of the Municipality of Thessaloniki is prohibited.
- A new “Build-to-Rent” program is established, which provides tax incentives for private investment in the housing sector.
Wage-related measures
- The issue of determining the wage scale for permanent employees—former private-sector employees with indefinite-term contracts— civil servants who, upon becoming permanent employees, retained the social security status of the former IKA and have submitted a retirement application.
- The issue of extending the personal allowance for new employees to agencies where the personal allowance had been extended until March 2023 is resolved.
- The salary system for staff of the Office of the Prime Minister is unified and streamlined in accordance with the single pay scale, and employees of the General Secretariat for Coordination and the General Secretariat for Legal and Parliamentary Affairs of the Presidency of the Government, upon meeting the requirements and completing the relevant training, to receive the salary increments provided for in Law 4622/2019.
- For the staff of the Presidency of the Republic, the application of Article 12 of Presidential Decree 351/1991 is reinstated.
- After approximately a decade, the salary regime for Archbishops of the Church of Greece is being redefined, with the unification of salaries and the abolition of additional benefits.
- In accordance with established case law, the issue of salary progression for judicial officers is resolved; these officers have completed the time required by law for promotion to the next rank in their respective branch but are not promoted due to a lack of vacancies.
- The entry-level pay scale for judicial employees in the Documentation and Judicial Support Branch is being redefined.
- Regulations from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport are introduced regarding compensation for Air Traffic Controllers in cases of childbirth or postpartum leave, the determination of special compensation, and compensation due to loss of specialty and due to death.
Other Provisions
- The proposed provisions update the legislative framework governing the foreshore and beaches, with the primary aim of protecting their public character, ensuring the rational use of public property, and fostering conditions for balanced and sustainable business development. In this context, targeted technical improvements are being introduced to ensure more effective implementation of the framework; these relate to the composition of the committees responsible for defining the boundaries of the foreshore, beach, and riverbank boundaries, and the remote detection of violations using modern technological means. Furthermore, provisions are introduced to alleviate the workload of the Land Registry Services, provide faster service to businesses operating in coastal zones, and facilitate their smoother adaptation to the new institutional framework. Finally, provisions with a strong social focus are introduced to support the business development of enterprises located in areas affected by Storm “Daniel,” in order to safeguard the economic viability of these businesses.
- Practical issues that have arisen to date in the implementation of the procedure for granting and refunding advances to electricity suppliers, as well as the procedure for settling bills by General Government entities, are being resolved, while a provision is introduced regarding the manner in which the Ministry of National Economy and Finance will henceforth settle outstanding electricity bills of entities not belonging to the Central Administration, following confirmation of the debts to the tax authority, with the aim of reducing overdue debts.