The illegal trafficking and sale of alcoholic drinks in the Greek market, its effects on public health and the economy, and ways to tackle it more effectively were the focus of three training seminars held on 12, 13 and 14 October 2026 in Ioannina, Larissa and Lamia, respectively.
The seminars were organised by the General Regional Police Directorates of Epirus, Thessaly and Central Greece, in cooperation with the Union of Alcoholic Beverages Enterprises (ENEAP).
Officials from the Hellenic Police, customs and port authorities, the General Chemical State Laboratory and the Coordinating Operational Centre (SEC) for combating the smuggling of products subject to excise duty took part in the seminars, alongside representatives of ENEAP and the Alliance Against Counterfeit Spirits (AACS).
The sessions examined methods used to traffic alcoholic drinks illegally and the tactics of organised rings. They also highlighted the risks to consumers’ health, the loss of public revenue and the distortions to competition caused by illicit trade.
In her presentation, ENEAP Director General Sofika Papanikolaou outlined the international dimensions of illicit trade in alcoholic drinks, noting that, according to the OECD, the price gap between legal and illegal products is a significant factor behind the growth of the phenomenon.
Focusing on the Greek market, she presented findings from a recent study by IOBE, “The contribution of the spirits sector to the Greek economy” (March 2026). The study found that Greece has the highest excise duty rate on spirits among European Union countries in purchasing power parity terms, while excise duty and VAT account for 55% of the final retail price of a spirit.
The study notes that the high tax burden strengthens the financial incentives for illicit trafficking, with significant consequences for the legal market and public revenue.
The scale of the problem is illustrated by data from the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) cited in the study, which show that about 500,000 litres of alcoholic drinks were seized between 2022 and 2024.
In this context, Ms Papanikolaou also referred to a scenario examined by IOBE for gradually bringing excise duty on spirits into line with the European average, with the rate falling from €2,548 to €1,930 per 100 litres of ethyl alcohol.
The study estimates that such an adjustment could shift volumes from the illicit to the legal market, lifting legal sales by an estimated 8.3%, boosting GDP by about €180 million and increasing total tax revenue by up to €2.4 million, without a significant rise in actual consumption.
Ms Papanikolaou said:
“The high tax burden on spirits widens the price gap between legal and illegal products, strengthening the financial incentives for illicit trafficking.
For this reason, as an industry we have put forward specific proposals, chief among them a gradual reduction in excise duty on spirits and its alignment with the European average, in order to reduce the incentives for smuggling and support the legal market.
At the same time, we believe it is necessary to fully implement the LOTIFY system, draw up a dedicated national alcohol inspection plan and further strengthen cooperation between the competent authorities and market participants.
In this respect, seminars such as these provide an important opportunity for the organisations involved to share knowledge and experience, fostering a shared understanding of the problem and strengthening their ability to tackle it more effectively.”.
The three seminars form part of ENEAP’s long-standing cooperation with the competent authorities, aimed at raising awareness and providing specialist training for officials in the inspection services.
Through its participation in similar initiatives, the Union continues to contribute to efforts to curb illicit trade in alcoholic drinks and protect the legal market.