In Greece, the period 2015-2024 saw the second fastest growth in card usage in the EU-27. The share of cash use in the economy as a whole has declined, but the degree of use of electronic payments varies across transaction categories, even for those where targeted incentives have been implemented. Reinforcing the findings of previous studies, the analysis highlights the continuing impact of payment card use on improving tax compliance, with no let-up after the pandemic and especially after the inter-connection between POS terminals and the tax authorities in 2024, as well as on the increase in tax revenues seen in Greece over the last decade.

The use of card transactions in Greece, relative to private consumption, is now close to the Eurozone average. Despite this convergence, the level of card usage in relation to private consumption in Greece ranks only 19th among the 27 EU member states, as card usage remains relatively low in certain categories of transactions. This implies that there is scope for further strengthening tax compliance through the continued expansion of electronic payments, and targeted policy measures are therefore proposed.