Today (June 29, 2026) is “Tax Freedom Day” for workers in Greece, who need to work for half a year (179 days a year to be exact) in order to be able to pay taxes and contributions to the state.Therefore, they have at their disposal, for the remaining six months -now free from taxes and contributions- to spend the rest of their income as they wish.
Although the tax burden appears slightly reduced compared to last year, by just one day, Greece ranks among the countries with the highest tax burden in the European Union, while state revenues continue to rely mainly on indirect taxation and especially on VAT.
As stated in the study prepared by the Center for Liberal Studies (KEFiM), this is a marginal improvement, since from 2019 to 2026, the tax burden decreased overall by only two days (from 181 to 179).
The conclusions
The main conclusions of the study, signed by KEFiM Research Assistant Ioannis Navrozidis and KEFiM President Nikos Rombapas, are as follows:
- June 29 is Tax Freedom Day for 2026.
- Citizens will work 179 days for the state this year, one day less than in 2025.
- From 2019 to 2026, the tax burden has decreased by only two days.
- Greece is expected to have the 9th highest tax burden among the member states of the European Union.
- The tax burden in Greece remains two days higher than the EU average, which corresponds to 177 working days for the state.
- 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 dependence of state revenues on indirect taxes is expected to be further strengthened. Revenues from indirect taxes are projected to be approximately 1.6 times higher than revenues from direct taxes.
- VAT is expected to account for 71.5% of total indirect taxes, compared with 70.4% in 2025.
- In 2025, revenues from taxes on goods and services are estimated to have exceeded the Budget’s initial target by 3.9%, while income tax revenues exceeded it by 5.3%.
- The largest overperformance in income tax came from individuals, with the relevant revenues coming in 5% higher than the target.
As KEFiM president Nikos Rombapas stated “the shift of Tax Freedom Day by one day earlier is a positive, but marginal development. Citizens in Greece continue to work almost 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 effective tackling of tax evasion is an important success. However, the additional revenues resulting from the broadening of the tax base should create fiscal space for a further reduction in tax rates and relief for consistent taxpayers”.
As he himself states “the country needs a simpler, more stable and more competitive tax system, with less dependence on taxes on everyday consumption and with indexation of tax brackets, so that citizens are not burdened more simply because of inflation”.