The clock is ticking for thousands of prominent debtors to the Greek government, who now face the imminent risk of being publicly listed — complete with names and addresses — on a digital “wall of shame.”
Beginning on June 5, notifications will be issued to approximately 30,000 taxpayers and businesses that owe over €150,000 to the Tax Authority (AADE) and/or the Social Security Fund (EFKA). The directive is straightforward: “Address your debt or pay it off by June 20 — otherwise, your name will be published on the official AADE website on June 30.”
The regulations are stringent: if an outstanding debt exceeds €150,000 and has remained unpaid for more than a year— originating from before April 2024 — the debtor risks being publicly named. To avert this, they must establish and adhere to a payment plan, reduce the debt below the threshold, or have a legitimate legal suspension of collection. Nevertheless, the message is clear: “Even if you escape this time, surveillance will continue.”
Some individuals and entities are considered “permanent residents” of this list — bankrupt businesses, construction companies, football clubs, advertising firms, manufacturers, and well-known figures who owe substantial sums and have remained exempt from repercussions for years. These are the stars of the list, with debts so large and outdated that they are categorized as unrecoverable. Just 10 individuals owe over €6 billion, while 10 businesses have amassing debts exceeding €26 billion!
Last year’s list witnessed an increase of 2,197 names compared to 2023, culminating in 11,109 individuals and 18,095 legal entities. However, the reality behind these figures is revealing: publication doesn’t always result in repayment. Instead, it serves as a pressure tactic — often functioning as a public shaming tool — with primarily symbolic rather than financial repercussions. That said, there is a process for correction or removal from the list for those who can demonstrate wrongful inclusion or make last-minute payments.
It’s important to recognize that the spectacle surrounding the major debtors’ list conceals a different truth. As evidenced in previous disclosures, many entries consist of aged, written-off debts from firms that remain indefinitely on the list, either due to bankruptcy or because collection is no longer feasible. These debts are classified as irrecoverable after all enforcement attempts have failed — merely serving as a reminder of a bureaucratic impasse.
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