AADE: Bank accounts unblocked – How to lift seizure by paying 25% of the debt

The Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) in Greece is enabling the immediate release of seized bank accounts for taxpayers who have settled at least 25% of their outstanding debt. This initiative aims to alleviate financial pressure on individuals and businesses, allowing them to resume economic activities more smoothly.

The new framework, detailed in decision A.1145/2026 by AADE governor Georgios Pitsilis, seeks to strike a balance between securing public revenue and providing swift relief. It is based on the recently enacted legislative framework in Article 18 of Law 5313/2026.

To qualify for the release of seized accounts, taxpayers must meet several conditions. They need to have paid 25% of the debt for which the seizure was imposed, including any accrued interest and surcharges. The remaining debt must either be under a payment installment plan or have a payment suspension in place, as per law, court order, or temporary injunction. Furthermore, all other overdue tax obligations of the taxpayer, whether individual or joint, must be settled or paid up by the time the application is submitted.

Once approved, the decision to lift the seizure is issued once per debtor, and the account unblocking occurs immediately and digitally. For further assistance, individuals can contact the AADE Taxpayer Service Center by phone at 1521 or through the myAADE digital portal.