Greece bans cash rent payments from 1 Oct 2026

Greece cash rent ban bank payments tax deduction housing allowance

From 1 October 2026 all residential and commercial rent payments in Greece must be made through a bank account, ending the use of cash. The Ministry of Finance confirmed that no further extensions will be granted and that the technical infrastructure of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) and the Property and Management Registry (MIDAS) is ready to support the change.

Tenants who continue to pay in cash will lose eligibility for the housing allowance and the annual rent refund of up to €800 (plus €50 per protected child). Landlords who receive cash rent will forfeit the automatic 5 % tax deduction on rental income, resulting in a higher tax burden. Cash payments will no longer be recognised for tax purposes. The measure aims to curb tax evasion, noting that the average declared monthly rent (€230‑€240) is well below market levels in major cities.

Entities: AADE (Independent Authority for Public Revenue) · Greek Ministry of Finance · Greek government · Greek landlords · Greek tenants · Greek tenants and landlords · Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) · MIDAS (Real Estate Registry and Management) · Ministry of Finance (Greece) · Property Registry and Management of Real Estate (MIDA) · Property and Management Registry (MIDAS)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 20 SOURCES] Landlords receiving rent in cash will lose the automatic 5 % tax discount on gross rental income. (multiple)
[● 20 SOURCES] The Ministry of Finance has closed the door to any further extensions of the rent‑payment deadline. (multiple)
[○ 1 SOURCE] In 2027 a new tax scale for rental income will be introduced, providing the first tax relief for landlords under the new system. (Greek fiscal policy)
[● 20 SOURCES] AADE will use the Property Registry and Management of Real Estate (MIDA) to automatically cross‑check bank payments with declared rental amounts to detect undeclared rentals. (multiple)
[● 3 SOURCES] From 1 October 2026, all rent payments in Greece must be made exclusively through the banking system. (Greek Ministry of Finance policy)
[● 11 SOURCES] The implementation date was moved from 1 April to 1 October 2026 after technical adjustments, and this is now final. (Belongs‑true articles)
[● 11 SOURCES] Bank transactions will be the sole proof of rent payment; cash payments will no longer be recognised for tax purposes. (All articles)
[● 20 SOURCES] Tenants who pay rent in cash after 1 Oct 2026 will lose eligibility for the housing allowance and the annual rent refund of up to €800 per main residence, plus €50 per protected child. (multiple)
[● 11 SOURCES] The measure is intended to curb tax evasion in Greece's rental market. (Belongs‑true articles)
[● 20 SOURCES] From 1 October 2026 all rent payments in Greece must be made exclusively through bank accounts. (multiple)
[● 16 SOURCES] From 1 October 2026 all rent payments in Greece must be made through a bank account. (Belongs‑true articles)
[● 19 SOURCES] Cash rent payments after 1 Oct 2026 will no longer be recognised for tax purposes. (multiple)