Who the measures concern. Which measures are coming.
An additional "breath" - of 350 euros per month - to all those who have debts to the State as well as to the Banks and have suffered seizures, is provided by the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, as Kyriakos Pierrakakis announced on Friday in Parliament. The new provision will be added to the multi-bill expected to be voted in June, increasing the non-seizable limit of a bank account to 1,600 euros, instead of 1,250 euros that applied since 2015.
However, apart from limiting seizures, the same bill will establish - for the first time - the possibility of a full lifting of the seizure imposed on accounts, by paying immediately only 25% of their debt.
- Pierrakakis: Non-seizable limit at 1,600 euros for bank accounts
In combination with the new exceptional arrangement of up to 72 installments for old debts, as well as the expansion of the out-of-court mechanism that will occur after the bill is passed, from July the framework for hundreds of thousands of households and businesses that are currently "suffocating" under the weight of debts and seizures will change radically, allowing them to regain full control, not only over their bank accounts, but also over their professional and social life overall.
Who the measures concern
The new measures directly benefit approximately 2 million debtors who are experiencing the pressure of their debts.
According to official data from the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) for March 2026:
– 4.7 million tax identification numbers (natural and legal persons) had overdue debts to the tax office and cannot issue a tax clearance certificate.
– 1.685 million out of 4.7 million tax IDs (i.e., one in three debtors) were already under forced collection measures and had seizure of bank accounts imposed by AADE.
– However, already in the spectrum of seizures - although they have not yet suffered seizure - are another 2.3 million debtors (tax IDs) who, according to the same data, were already in a status where forced measures "can" be imposed on them.
As Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance George Kotsiras stated to -, "with a sense of responsibility and full awareness of the needs of society, we are promoting a wide range of interventions that affect the vast majority of citizens and respond to real daily challenges." Mr. Kotsiras stresses that the government "significantly strengthens the tools for managing private debt," also utilizing proposals from market bodies, giving "a genuine second chance" to those making an effort to meet their obligations, through balanced arrangements that encourage tax compliance and enhance liquidity.
Which measures are coming
A key measure, included in the bill under consultation, is the possibility of lifting the seizure imposed on a bank account, provided the debtor pays 25% of the debt for which the seizure was imposed. A prerequisite for this is to submit an application and also put into arrangement the rest of their certified debts to the tax administration.
Practically, it allows the taxpayer to gain control of their bank account, make withdrawals and henceforth normally receive whatever is deposited into it, and recover basic liquidity (for salaries, transactions, and daily obligations) on the condition that they pay - or if they have already paid in installments - at least 1/4 of the debt for which the seizure was imposed, along with interest and surcharges. At the same time, they must also organize their remaining debts into an arrangement that they will adhere to.
Although this is a new permanent possibility that will concern all those under seizure or those who will have forced measures imposed on them in the future for tax debts, the provision stipulates that it will be granted "once per debtor," i.e., only once per beneficiary. Therefore, those who apply must have decided that they will not default on their obligations, because otherwise they will not be able to use the measure again. It is noted that the measure does not apply to debtors who, at the date of submission of the application, are in bankruptcy proceedings.
72 installments at 30 euros per month
The second measure concerns the new exceptional arrangement of up to 72 installments for debts created during the energy crisis. This includes debts to the tax administration that had not been regulated until December 31, 2023, with a minimum installment of 30 euros. Applications for inclusion will start being submitted electronically via myAADE after the new law is passed in July, but will close on December 31, 2026.
Repayment extends over a period of up to six years (instead of two or four years offered by the standard arrangement of 24-48 installments), allowing households and businesses to reduce their monthly burden and regain tax clearance.
A similar arrangement, based on the same bill, will run in parallel for insurance debts to the Center for the Collection of Insurance Debts (KEAO/EFKA), where about 1.5 million employers and self-employed have unpaid debts exceeding 50 billion euros.
"Out-of-court" also for small debtors
Complementary to the two previous tools, the same bill expands the terms and limits for inclusion in the out-of-court debt settlement mechanism, which offers debt "haircuts" and up to 240 or 420 monthly installments for debts to the public and banks.
The minimum debt threshold for inclusion is reduced to 5,000 euros from 10,000 euros, to cover smaller debtors as well, while for the first time it provides the possibility of saving the main residence by liquidating other properties within the framework of the overall arrangement.
Thus, those with a more complex debt profile can, after getting relief from seizures and the 72 installments, proceed to a full restructuring of their private debt with the agreement of all creditors, also protecting their main residence not only for debts to the public but also for debts to banks and financial institutions. The new procedures for the out-of-court mechanism will start two months after the bill is passed.
Commenting overall on the changes provided in the draft law under consultation, Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance George Kotsiras notes, speaking to -, that "in a difficult international conjuncture, the strong course of the economy allows us to steadily return to society a dividend of growth," with interventions aimed not only at debtors but also at families with children, pensioners, and tenants. He emphasizes that the government remains committed to "reducing burdens and strengthening disposable income, so that the progress of the economy translates into tangible benefit for every citizen."
Full statement of Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance George Kotsiras for the new bill of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, to -
"With a sense of responsibility and full awareness of the needs of society, we are promoting a wide range of interventions that affect the vast majority of citizens and respond to real daily challenges. We significantly strengthen the tools for managing private debt, also utilizing proposals from market bodies. We give a genuine second chance to those making an effort to meet their obligations, through balanced arrangements that encourage tax compliance, enhance liquidity, and facilitate the functioning of the economy. At the same time, we proceed with targeted interventions to further support families with children, pensioners, and tenants. In a difficult international conjuncture, the strong course of the economy allows us to steadily return to society a dividend of growth. We remain committed to reducing burdens and strengthening the disposable income of citizens, so that the progress of the economy translates into tangible benefit for every citizen."
