The Greek Ministry of Economy and Finance has officially postponed the implementation of mandatory rent payments exclusively through bank transactions. Originally scheduled for early April 2026, the new start date is October 1, 2026.
This decision, announced on March 30, is intended to provide property owners and tenants more time for technical readiness and registration of bank accounts (IBAN) with the revenue agency (AADE) system. From October 2026, payments made “in hand” will be deemed invalid by tax authorities. Landlords who continue to accept cash will forfeit the automatic 5% deduction from their taxable income (allocated for property maintenance). Tenants who fail to pay rent via bank transactions will lose eligibility for housing subsidies and tax credits, which can amount to 800 euros per year. Owners must register a personal IBAN on the AADE platform, ensuring the account matches the name on the rental agreement. This measure is part of a larger initiative by the government to tackle tax evasion and the “grey” economy in Greece’s real estate market.
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