Greece will soon accept foreign cards for tax payment

Foreigners will soon be able to pay their tax obligations in Greece with credit and debit cards issued by foreign banks, state broadcaster ERT reported on Thursday.

Reason for this facilitation is that the Independent Inland Revenue Authority (AADE) is launching procedures to remove the legal and technical obstacles that exist today.

The tender to facilitate this possibility is already underway,

With credit and debit cards issued by foreign banks, foreigners will be able to pay their tax obligations from 2023

A tender is already underway for the supply of a system for accepting foreign cards in the EFT/POS network of AADE and the e-POS of the General Secretariat of Information Systems, while the deadline for the submission of offers by interested parties ends on January 5, 2023.

The measure – which is expected to be implemented by June 2023 – will facilitate the tax transactions of thousands of citizens as data show that every year foreigners who pay taxes in Greece carry out a total of more than 150,000 transactions with the tax office.

Also, the payment of taxes through foreign cards will enable Greeks living abroad to settle pending tax issues such as the payment of tax for real estate or movable assets they inherit in Greece.

The object of the tender “run” by AADE is the conclusion of a contract between AADE and a legally licensed provider of payment services, which will accept and clear on behalf of AADE, transactions using cards issued by foreign providers of payment services.

Applicants should serve the cards bearing the marks of the international card organizations VISA, Mastercard and China Union Pay. Optionally, they will serve the cards bearing the brands of the international organizations DINNERS and AMERICAN EXPRESS. Per International Payment Card System Organization Mark, all individual card types (debit, credit, prepaid, virtual, business/corporate, etc.) are included.

The tender offers will be opened on January 13, 2023, while the total cost of the contract amounts to 1.25 million euros and its duration is set at 1 year.