Greece's Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) found tax violations at more than a third of businesses inspected in high-tourist-traffic areas last week, uncovering over €545,000 in undeclared revenue and issuing more than €1 million in fines, the agency said.
Between July 20 and 26, inspectors conducted 2,252 checks targeting restaurants, hospitality and entertainment businesses flagged by risk analysis as likely tax evasion candidates. Violations were found at 732 businesses, a violation rate of 37.42%.
In total, authorities recorded 13,287 tax violations, €545,573 in undeclared net revenue, and €1,023,281 in fines. Eight businesses were ordered shut for 48 hours over serious infractions.
Notable cases included a well-known restaurant at the Naousa harbor on Paros, along with a rented-rooms business and another tourism enterprise on the island. Inspectors also found violations at a tourism business and café in Corfu, two businesses in Faliraki, Rhodes, two in Aegina, and one in Preveza.
The crackdown is part of AADE's ongoing summer enforcement campaign targeting popular tourist destinations, where authorities say seasonal businesses face heightened risk of underreporting income during peak season.
By Yiorgos Pappous