Greece announces €5bn SME funding and new rent payment rules

Greece has announced several new financial measures and regulatory shifts. The Hellenic Development Bank will launch a €5 billion financing program for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) starting in 2027. This initiative, announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, aims to provide low-interest loans and credit guarantees to support investment plans and liquidity. The program includes €1.5 billion specifically for SMEs, split between €1.1 billion in loan co-financing and €400 million in guarantee programs. These funds are supported by €2 billion from the Recovery Fund.

Separately, the Independent Authority for Public Revenue has rescheduled the mandatory requirement for rent payments to be made exclusively through bank accounts to July 1, 2027. This delay, following a decision by Governor Giorgos Pitsilis, is intended to allow for the technical integration of banking and state information systems and to give landlords and tenants time to adjust. The measure aims to increase transparency in the real estate market and curb tax evasion by ensuring all rental transactions leave a digital footprint for official verification.