Greece’s Public Revenue Body Issues Traveler Rights Guide

Heraklion Airport. Photo: GTP

Duty free sales, VAT exemption, and cash restrictions are some of the issues covered in a newly released guide by Greece’s Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) for travelers visiting the country.

As part of its ongoing efforts to offer quality customer services, inform travelers of their rights and ensure the smooth processing of transactions with the relevant customs authorities, the AADE released the guide which focuses on issues that may come up during travel.

Tourists in Athens, Greece.

According to the guide, travelers entering or departing from Greece (or any EU country) transferring cash equal to or greater than 10,000 euros must declare the amount to the competent authorities.

In terms of goods, travelers by plane or boat can carry items valued up to 430 euros. Products include cigarettes and alcohol, among others. Visitors meeting the retirements also have the chance to shop tax free items. Indicatively, tax free shopping picked up pace in 2017, marking a 63 percent increase in sales and a 12 percent rise in purchase value attributed to a lower limit – at 50 euros from 120 euros. 

The following items are not tax free: food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, products intended for the equipment or the supply of private means of transport (cars, boats, aircraft, etc.).

Duty-free and non-taxable goods can only be purchased by outbound or domestic passengers or foreign passengers traveling to a third country at the time of their departure from Greece. There is no limit to quantities purchased as long as these are for personal-family use.

For more information (in Greek) press here.