From the end of June or the beginning of July, most likely, the new special 72 instalment scheme for old (pre-2024) arrears to the tax administration and social security funds is expected to open, but with strict terms and conditions.

The regulation will apply to overdue debts that were created until 31.12.2023 to the tax authorities and the KEAO, i.e. debts caused mainly by the energy crisis.

Although the relevant bill will remain under consultation until 15 June – and therefore changes or improvements are not excluded before it is tabled and voted on – those interested in joining it should already be preparing now, as a simple application will not suffice, but they will have to make provision to have immediately available at least the amount of the first instalment they will be asked to pay, based on the duration of the arrangement they choose.

Practically , however, the application will be submitted electronically to the AADE and the KEAO. The process will remain “open” for applications for almost six months, until December 31, 2026.

Who wins

The new arrangement will offer triple the repayment time – up to six years instead of two – but also much lower instalments than the “fixed” 24 instalment arrangement.

However, for small debts (under €2,200) the 72 instalments are limited, as a minimum of €30 is foreseen as a minimum instalment amount. For example, a basic debt of €1,800 will result in up to 60 instalments. While the inclusion will not be automatic, but will require an application and compliance with the prescribed conditions.

The benefits, however, for those who join and remain compliant are significant. Upon joining the scheme and provided the conditions are met, a tax or insurance certificate is issued (depending on where the debtor owes), criminal prosecution for non-payment of insurance contributions (or the execution of a sentence where it has already been imposed) is suspended and enforcement measures against the debtor’s property are “frozen”

.

At the same time, however, the limitation period for debts is suspended for the duration of the arrangement, if the debtor does not abandon it prematurely. While, even after inclusion, the State and the insurance institutions retain certain rights, such as: registration of a mortgage, not granting an update for the transfer of property when the debt is not secured, or setting off any claims of the debtor against his/her obligations.

What is required

The basic requirements for a debtor to qualify for the arrangement for his debts are:

1. Mandatorily join all of his pre-2024 debts – and not by choosing only a part of them – as long as they are not in suspension of payment. If he wishes, however, he can also include debts that are in suspension, provided that they fall within the scope of the arrangement (i.e. they became due by 31.12.2023)

2. The debts in question (pre-2024) were not in any active arrangement on the critical date of 21 April 2026. In other words, no “switching” to 72 instalments from another arrangement is allowed. Any arrangement that may have been active must continue to be serviced.

3. The debtor must not create any other outstanding arrears after 2024. If he/she has any new debts, before applying for inclusion, he/she must either pay them off immediately , or settle them legally with the fixed arrangement (24 or 48 instalments, depending on the type of these debts).

4. Prior to applying for inclusion in the 72 installments, he/she must also have filed all income tax returns for the last five years for which the deadline is December 31, 2025. If he submits them before the deadline before applying in order to join the scheme, he will also have to settle or adjust any debts arising from these returns.

5. The affiliation is not completed simply by submitting the application, but only if the payment of the first instalment is also completed, which, in the case of the tax authorities, must be paid immediately – within three working days of the application.

6. The debtor must not have an irrevocable conviction for tax evasion or smuggling.

From the date of inclusion, the basic debt is capitalized and any additional fees and surcharges are forgiven. However, interest is charged (5.84% for tax debts).

In case of late payment, an additional charge is triggered. The arrangement is lost and collection measures and surcharges are revived if two consecutive monthly instalments are not paid, or if there is a delay of more than two months in the last two instalments. It is also lost if any other current debts to the tax and social security authorities are not paid – or settled – within the prescribed time limits.

A similar arrangement is provided for debts to e-EFKA and KEAO. In this case too, the arrangement concerns debts related to periods up to 31 December 2023, with a minimum instalment of EUR 30. The application for insurance debts will be submitted electronically until 31 December 2026 to the KEAO for established debts and for those under its jurisdiction. While for debts of the former NAT or other institutions, where the collection is not exclusively the responsibility of the KEAO, the procedure will be carried out at the competent institution. For social security contributions, the first instalment will be paid by the last working day of the month in which the application is submitted.