Just a few years ago, a number of Greek newspaper headlines concerned the record-breaking Porsche Cayennes circulating in the country. While there are still some Greeks that can afford to buy cars valued at more than 300,000 euros, they just aren’t doing it.

A car worth 300,000 euros requires taxes (special duties, VAT, luxury etc.) of around 120,000 euros when bought. The state actually makes more money from the sale of a Bentley than the company that created, developed and constructed the car.

Hence, those interested in purchasing a luxury car would go to other countries where taxes are lower, such as Bulgaria, Germany, Cyprus, the U.K. etc.

The result of Greek luxury car taxes meant that in 2015, not one Ferrari, Aston Martin, Maserati, Lamborghini or Bentley had been classified in Grteece. Hence, with zero sales, the Greek state did not manage to line its coffers with even one euro at a time when other countries were making money from the sale of these cars.

In 2006, however, it had been a different story. Figures showed 23 Ferraris, 9 Bentleys, 6 Lamborghinis, 12 Maseratis and 1 Aston Martin had been sold. The cheaper luxury cars also noted more sales in 2006 with 488 Porsche (20 in 2015), 179 Jaguar (6 in 2015), 428 Land and Range Rovers (36 in 2015).