“Tax Freedom Day” is today (June 29, 2026) for workers in Greece, who need to work half a year (179 days a year, to be exact) to pay their taxes and social security contributions to the state.Consequently, they have the remaining six months—now free of taxes and contributions—to spend the rest of their income as they see fit.
Although the tax burden appears to have decreased slightly compared to last year—by just one day— Greece ranks among the countries with the highest tax burden in the European Union, while government revenue continues to rely primarily on indirect taxation, particularly VAT.
As noted in a study conducted by the Center for Liberal Studies (KEFIM), this represents a marginal improvement, since from 2019 to 2026, the tax burden decreased by a total of just two days (from 181 to 179).
Conclusions
The main conclusions of the study, authored by KEFIM Research Assistant Ioannis Navrozidis and KEFIM President Nikos Rompapas, are as follows:
- June 29 is Tax Freedom Day for 2026.
- Citizens will work 179 days for the government this year, one day less than in 2025.
- From 2019 to 2026, the tax burden has decreased by just two days.
- Greece is expected to have the 9th highest tax burden among European Union member states.
- The tax burden in Greece remains two days higher than the EU average, which corresponds to 177 working days for the government.
- Greece shows the fifth-largest improvement in the EU between 2019 and 2026. It is one of only five countries that reduced their tax burden during this period.
- In 2026, the reliance of government revenue on indirect taxes is expected to increase further. Revenue from indirect taxes is projected to be approximately 1.6 times higher than revenue from direct taxes.
- VAT is expected to account for 71.5% of total indirect taxes, up from 70.4% in 2025.
- In 2025, revenue from taxes on goods and services is estimated to have exceeded the initial budget target by 3.9%, while revenue from income tax exceeded it by 5.3%.
- The largest overperformance in income tax came from individuals, with related revenue coming in 5% higher than the target.
As KEFIM President Nikos Rompapas stated, “Moving Tax Freedom Day up by one day is a positive, but marginal, development. Citizens in Greece still work nearly half the year to cover taxes and social security contributions, while our country remains above the European average in terms of the overall tax burden.
More effectively tackling tax evasion is a significant achievement. However, the additional revenue generated by broadening the tax base must create fiscal space for further reductions in tax rates and relief for compliant taxpayers.”
As he himself states, “the country needs a simpler, more stable, and more competitive tax system, with less reliance on taxes on everyday consumption and with tax brackets adjusted for inflation, so that citizens are not burdened further simply because of inflation”.