The Independent Authority for Public Revenue will place the new General Directorate of Economic Transaction Control Forces (DEOS) into full operational service from mid-March to combat large-scale tax evasion and organised financial crime.
The new directorate will replace the long-standing Financial and Economic Crime Unit after nearly 30 years of operation, introducing a modern and unified system of tax inspections in Greece. Authorities said the initiative aimed to protect public revenue, strengthen tax fairness and ensure fair competition for law-abiding citizens and businesses.
The service will initially employ 370 experienced officers from AADE’s audit services and the former SDOE. Authorities will recruit an additional 80 inspectors through a special selection process based on qualifications, professional experience and operational readiness. In total, 450 inspectors will carry out enforcement actions and receive ongoing training in investigative and enforcement methods.
Operational teams will be equipped with drones, body cameras, specialised vehicles, boats, personal protection equipment and modern communication and surveillance tools. Inspectors will also maintain constant contact with the AADE operations centre during missions for real-time support and coordination.
For safety reasons, officers confronting criminal networks will carry firearms and bulletproof vests. They will also undergo specialised training in narcotics enforcement, shooting practice and close-combat techniques to restrain individuals who attempt to obstruct inspections.
The DEOS mandate will cover serious tax evasion, smuggling, customs fraud and capital movement investigations. Its responsibilities will also include tackling the illegal trafficking of drugs, weapons, ammunition and explosives, as well as the illicit trade of antiquities, monuments and works of art.
The directorate will operate from its headquarters in Athens and will rely heavily on advanced operational centres that provide real-time monitoring and communication, including live drone feeds.
Authorities will also use artificial intelligence tools to analyse data and identify patterns, networks and recurring structures in complex financial crime investigations.
The new enforcement network plans to conduct at least 30,000 inspections in 2026, averaging roughly 100 operational actions per day.
DEOS will also investigate online financial crimes, intellectual property violations such as illegal software and media downloads, and misuse of national or European subsidies. Completed tax evasion cases will be referred to prosecutors for judicial action.
The new service will cooperate internationally with organisations such as OLAF, INTERPOL and Europol to strengthen cross-border investigations and information sharing. A specialised department will also operate as Greece’s national Asset Recovery Office, helping identify and freeze assets linked to economic crime.
