Greece Embraces the Digital Future with Mandatory B2B E-Invoicing Legislation

Greece is taking a major digital leap forward: On 25 July 2025, the Greek Parliament officially adopted legislation that, among other provisions, will make electronic invoicing mandatory for business-to-business (B2B) transactions. This shift will significantly modernise the country’s financial and tax reporting systems, so businesses should pay close attention.

Titled the National Customs Code and other provisions – Pension provisions, the new law (Law 5222/2025, published in Government Gazette ΦΕΚ Α΄ 134/28.7.2025), among others, amends Article 14 of Law 4308/2014 (the “Greek GAAP”), laying the foundation for a comprehensive e-invoicing regime in line with European standards.

Beyond just Tech: The digital transformation of B2B transactions, a game changer for Greek businesses

Electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) is more than a technological update - it's a systemic transformation. For businesses in Greece and those doing business with Greek companies, this change signals the beginning of a new era of digital compliance, efficiency, and transparency.

This shift is expected to streamline operations, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance the overall integrity of financial transactions, aligning Greece with broader European digital initiatives and strengthening its position in the global digital economy.

Let's take a closer look at what this means for businesses.

What’s in scope?

The new mandatory e-invoicing requirement applies to a wide range of business transactions for entities operating under Law 4308/2014 (the "Greek GAAP"), specifically those in points a), b) and c) of Article 14(1) of Greek GAAP, as amended, i.e.:

1. Domestic B2B transactions: This covers all sales of goods and provision of services conducted within Greek territory between businesses adhering to Greek accounting standards.

2. Cross-border transactions with non-EU entities: Invoicing for sales of goods or services to foreign entities based outside the European Union, with specific exclusion of retail transactions. For these foreign recipients outside the EU, alternative exchange mechanisms remain acceptable, but only on the receiving end. Greek businesses must still issue the invoice electronically.

3. Public sector transactions: This encompasses transactions related to public contracts and the billing of various expenditures to the General Government, unless other special provisions explicitly apply.

Additionally, the e-invoicing obligation extends to transactions involving parties not liable to issue an invoice, those who refuse to issue an invoice, or cases where a “clearance note” (σημείωμα εκκαθάρισης) is generated.

Crucially, all invoices within the mandatory scope must be issued electronically — no paper or PDFs allowed — and must conform to the European e-invoicing standard (EN).

It’s worth noting that, beyond the mandatory scope outlined, businesses have the option to voluntarily adopt e-invoicing for a wider range of transactions, leveraging its benefits for increased efficiency and transparency across their operations.

Greece’s e-invoicing infrastructure

For the transactions listed in Article 14(1) as outlined above, the authenticity and integrity of e-invoices must be ensured exclusively via one of two approved channels:

1. Certified e-invoicing providers (Υπηρεσίες Παρόχων Ηλεκτρονικής Έκδοσης Στοιχείων, or short Υ.ΠΑ.Η.Ε.Σ.), or

2. IAPR (Independent Authority for Public Revenue) - Ανεξάρτητη Αρχή Δημοσίων Εσόδων (ΑΑΔΕ) - the Greek national tax authority’s own issuing and transmission application, available on its website.

For e-invoices issued outside the mandatory scope as detailed above, the authenticity of origin and integrity of content can be ensured using the same two channels, or in addition, any of the following methods: an advanced electronic signature based on a qualified certificate; Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) meeting EU Directive requirements; or through Tax Electronic Mechanisms (ΦΗΜ) (such as certified cash registers).

The road ahead: What comes next?

While the law has been passed, implementation details are still being finalised. There is no firmly confirmed start date for mandatory B2B e-invoicing. Instead, the gazetted text clearly states that the exact timeline, along with the final scope and technical rules, will be defined in a future joint decision by:

• The Minister of Economy and Finance, and

• The Governor of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR).

This means that while the legal foundation for mandatory B2B e-invoicing is now in place under Law 5222/2025, the “go-live” date and phased implementation plan will come later via a secondary act. Nevertheless, the law signals the government’s intentions to move to mandatory B2B e-invoicing in the near term, and businesses should expect an official implementation schedule to be shared in due course.

Here’s what businesses can expect:

• A joint ministerial decision that will define the timeline and scope of the rollout.

• Future regulations that will cover:

  • Invoice format and structure,

  • System interoperability, and

  • Roles and responsibilities of certified providers.

Importantly, transitional incentives remain in place for early adopters. Businesses that begin using certified e-invoicing solutions ahead of the mandate may qualify for enhanced tax deductions.

Why businesses should act now

The move toward mandatory e-invoicing is part of a broader push across the EU to modernise tax systems and reduce VAT fraud. For Greek companies, this isn’t just a compliance issue — it’s a strategic opportunity.

While the mandatory timeline is still being finalised, early adoption offers a number of advantages, including one official government incentive explicitly written in the Greek law:

• Financial incentives through tax deductions: The law provides specific, time-limited tax deduction benefits for entities that opt into e-invoicing before it becomes mandatory. These deductions apply to certain taxable income, with defined percentages and timeframes, as detailed in the articles on “φορολογικά κίνητρα” in the gazette.

In addition, early adopters will reap the many general business benefits offered by e-invoicing, such as:

• Streamlined operations with reduced paperwork and processing time.

• Faster payments and improved cash flow.

• Easier auditability and alignment with future EU-wide reporting obligations (e.g., ViDA - VAT in the Digital Age).

The bottom line

Greece’s adoption of mandatory B2B e-invoicing is a landmark moment — and one that will fundamentally reshape how businesses issue, transmit, and archive invoices. While the details are still unfolding, it’s clear that the digital transition is no longer optional.

Businesses operating in Greece should begin preparing now: Reviewing their current invoicing systems, evaluating certified providers, and consulting with legal and tax advisors.