Greece: Public Sector to Accept Declarations Instead of Certificates

The need for citizens to obtain certificates for transactions with the public sector in Greece is coming to an end. From now on, approximately 30 supporting documents will be replaced by a statutory declaration.

The new regulation, presented by Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, changes the philosophy of administrative procedures, establishing that a case will not be delayed because the State cannot directly obtain a certificate.

Citizens will complete a statutory declaration, either in paper or digital form, and the competent service will immediately issue the required administrative act.

The accuracy of the declared data will be checked retroactively by the administration, which will seek the data from public sector databases.

Strict sanctions are foreseen for false statutory declarations.

The intervention is transitional and will remain in effect until the interoperability of public sector information systems is fully completed.