The reinforcement of the fight against tax evasion The use of technology is announced by the Minister of National Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakisspeaking to the Sunday Free Press.
Kyriakos Pierrakakis noted in an interview that tax evasion revenue would reach 2.2 billion euros. It still announces new reliefs for 2026, but not earlier than the next TIF, as “the 1.76 billion euro package is exhausting the institutionally permissible spending limit for the following year,” the minister said.
Regarding the tax reform, he stresses that as of January 1, 2026, “a family with two children and income of 30,000 euros per parent will earn 2,400 euros a year, while with four children 8,200 euros per year”, noting that TIF measures increase by 0.6% of GDP.
In detail the interview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kyriakos Pierrakakis:
According to the draft budget, with the TIF of TIF measures of € 1.76 billion, the government has reached the “roof” of expenditure. If, however, the primary surplus exceeds 4% of GDP this year, is there a chance for a “complementary” package of positive measures in April 2026, analogous to the one given this year, with the return of a rent and 250 euros to retirees?
As you know, the target of public spending is not linked to the amount of primary surplus. No matter how high the surplus is, it cannot be distributed, as the European expenditure rule sets a clear limit on how much the country can spend. The preliminary draft budget shows that TIF measures are exhausting the institutional permissible spending limit.
This proves that we are absolutely consistent in our words and actions. When we said that with the € 1.76 billion package we exhausted the potential of the budget for the benefit of society, we meant it and the data confirms it. That is why we called on the opposition to tell us who to tax to fund its impossible commitments that exceeded 4 billion euros. A question that, as it turned out, could not answer. However, with careful fiscal management, we believe that there will be a fiscal space that will allow new, targeted interventions at the TIF of 2026 for 2027. With consistency, responsibility and social sign, we use every opportunity we have, returning to society what the economy safely produces.
The low and middle strata of society is currently in a “vise” between low -income, but by far the cost of living. With the latest tax reform you are promoting for 2026, the image improves but not drastically. What are the medium -term measures you are preparing to relax this vise faster?
The measures we will apply are not in the medium term. They are immediate, important and targeted. Employees and retirees will be seen in their account from January 1, 2026 and freelancers in 2027. A family with two children and income of 30,000 euros per parent will earn 2,400 euros a year. With three children, the benefit reaches 4,400 euros, while with four children 8,200 euros per year, ie 683 euros per month. For incomes of 40,000 – 60,000 euros, the tax is reduced by five points, and for young people up to 25 years of age.
The reform benefits all generations. Pensioners earn from the 250 -euro allowance, the abolition of personal differences and increases in pensions in 2026 reaches 16%. At the same time, we are promoting measures for the housing problem, by reducing taxation to owners and incentives to increase housing supply and reduce rental pressure.
It is a grid of permanent, not allowances, that will help households take a real breath.
The very positive surprises of recent years for consistent taxpayers include the coordinated effort of the RPH to combat tax evasion. Do you have a picture of revenue in 2025? You have also said that the effort will extend to fuel and tobacco products. What is your design?
It was a surprise to you. For us it is the result of a coordinated effort that we make together with AADE. In 2024, tax evasion revenue reached € 1.7 billion, while for 2025 we estimate that they will reach 2.2 billion euros. This is a permanent budgetary benefit that boosts public revenue, without any tax increase. In the coming period the effort will be intensified, especially in the fuel and tobacco sectors, where there are outbreaks of offenses. We have already voted on a new, draconian institutional framework, while AADE reinforces mobile control groups, installs monitoring systems for the movement of professional vehicles and containers when entry and circulation in the country, implements new tracing systems and customs controls with the use of artificial intelligence.
Mr Minister, International Organizations estimate the impact of Trump duties will be more than 2026. However, the REC on the draft budget aims to accelerate growth from 2.2% this year to 2.4% of GDP in 2026. Where is your provision for the next year?
The Ministry of Finance’s provision for growth rate of 2.4% in 2026 is not optimistic. It is realistic and documented. It is based on two pillars: TIF measures, which boost disposable income and domestic demand, adding about 0.6 percentage points to growth rate. Secondly, the increase in the Public Investment Program, which amounts to € 16.7 billion, compared to € 14.6 billion in 2025. This aid relates to infrastructure, green transition, digital transformation and regional development projects, which have a direct and multiplier impact on GDP. Even if there are external pressure from the international environment, the domestic dynamics of the Greek economy remains strong and sufficient to support the planned growth rate.
The New Democracy was committed to a minimum wage of 950 euros and average salary of 1,500 euros by 2027. Are we close to these goals? Will you target taller?
We create the conditions to achieve it. Our goal is to increase the increases at a rate higher than inflation, in order to really improve the employee’s disposable income. We want higher salaries based on production, investment and extroversion of the economy. Already, the draft budget provides for an increase in investment by 10.2% of GDP for 2026 and a steady reduction in unemployment, which leads to the creation of more and better -paid jobs. This time, wage increases come from neither from borrowing nor from bonuses. It is the result of growth, productivity and confidence in the Greek economy. And this is the only way to ensure their viability.
The elections, according to the prime minister, will take place in the spring of 2027. Who is the main opponent of the ND? Is autonomy feasible?
The elections must be held in 2027 and until then we need continuity and seriousness, not political uncertainty. The ballot box will be clean. Who can ensure stability and create hope. It is stability that brought us here, which allowed the economy to grow, wages to grow, in the country to regain credibility. And hope is the one that drives us ahead: to digitize the whole country, to turn progress into a real improvement of everyday life. Only with plan, consistency and work can we go farther.
How do you see the party allegedly created by Alexis Tsipras and the scenarios for new shapes in the opposition?
In democracy, everyone has the right to raise their hand and claim a role in public affairs. But the question is not who speaks the most, but what it really has to say and with what reliability. Mr Tsipras is trying to return to the spotlight with a new body of old ideas. Citizens, however, remember well how expensive they paid the delusions and choices of the former prime minister.