Greek tax officers announce strike during peak summer inspection period

The Panhellenic Federation of Tax Officers (POE-DOU) has announced a ten-day “strike-abstention” from preventive field inspections, scheduled from August 17 to August 26. This action coincides with the peak of the “Theros 2026” operation, a major tax enforcement campaign by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) targeting high-activity tourist areas.

Under the proposed action, tax officers will report to their offices as usual but will refuse to participate in field inspections or drive official vehicles. The federation cites several grievances, including increased workload intensity, unpaid overtime, staff shortages, and safety concerns during inspections. They are also protesting the potential restructuring of local tax offices into centralized services.

The timing of the strike poses a significant challenge to the AADE’s goal of conducting tens of thousands of inspections across Greece, particularly in popular destinations like Crete, the Cyclades, and the Ionian Islands. The enforcement plan specifically targets businesses with high seasonal turnover, such as restaurants, beach bars, hotels, and fuel stations, using advanced tools like drones and real-time VAT verification apps.