The Independent Public Revenue Authority (AADE) is experiencing significant expansion. With the recent decision to transfer the functions of the Greek Payment Authority for Common Agricultural Policy Aid Schemes (OPEKEPE), the Financial Crime Unit (SDOE) is also being enhanced and integrated into AADE.
This transition allows the government to unify audit mechanisms, providing a comprehensive overview of subsidy distributions while bolstering audits and combating “black money.”
A provision within an upcoming draft law for the customs code, which is anticipated to enter public consultation soon, will see the transfer of SDOE’s personnel, responsibilities, archives, assets, and logistical resources to AADE.
As reported by officials from the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, this consolidation of control mechanisms aims to track the movement of illicit funds, address economic crime, tax evasion, and smuggling, while also enhancing and safeguarding oversight.
Specifically, AADE will gain access to information regarding:
- The management of appropriations from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the European Fisheries Fund, and other organizational resources, as well as the maintenance of all associated accounts.
- The organization’s staffing details, including employee distribution by category and sector, the organizational hierarchy, responsibility allocation, and the structure of both central and regional services, along with any additional staffing and operational information.
- The control, management, and payment processes related to financial obligations, along with the settlement of various expenses tied to the organization’s budget preparation and overall operations.
The organization disburses approximately 3 billion euros in EU aid each year, with around 2.4 billion euros allocated to roughly 660,000 beneficiary producers.
