Major Crackdown on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Fuel by Greek Tax Authority

The year 2025 marks a significant push by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) in Greece to combat tax evasion and smuggling, particularly focusing on alcohol, tobacco, and fuel. According to AADE’s Strategic Plan, which includes a comprehensive inspection plan, by 2025, 400 targeted inspections will be conducted at production, usage, and transportation sites of chemical substances and products, alongside 250 inspections on ship fuels. The authority aims to carry out 2,350 sampling operations on fuels, alcoholic beverages, chemical products, and consumer goods, either independently or in collaboration with other agencies. Additionally, AADE targets conducting 74,000 tasks by the National Forensic Science Laboratory concerning the collection of excise duties in the fuel, alcohol, and beverage sectors. High standards are set regarding the required timeframe for chemical analysis of operational samples taken during inspections of alcohol and alcoholic beverages, food & materials in contact with food, chemicals & industrial products. AADE aims to complete the chemical analysis of these within 70% of cases in 25 calendar days and energy products within 20 calendar days from receipt. Furthermore, the tax authority aims to issue 91% of Chemical Analysis Reports within 30 calendar days from sample receipt by the National Forensic Science Laboratory. By combating tax evasion, smuggling, and fraud, AADE seeks to reduce the tax gap and revenue loss. This involves restructuring control units, creating new inspection centers (DEOS, KEMEF, TEK) to focus on high-tax evasion cases, fraud, and money laundering from criminal activities, while intensifying border controls against smuggling and illegal trade. Modernization and strengthening enforcement tools are also being promoted to fight smuggling.