The clock is ticking for thousands of high-profile debtors to the Greek state, who now face the looming threat of being publicly exposed — full name and address included — on a digital “wall of shame.”

Starting June 5, notices will be sent to roughly 30,000 taxpayers and businesses who owe over €150,000 to the Tax Authority (AADE) and/or Social Security Fund (EFKA). The message is blunt: “Settle or pay off your debt by June 20 — or on June 30, your name will be published on the official AADE website.”

The rules are strict: if a debt exceeds €150,000 and has remained unpaid for more than a year — i.e., stemming from periods before April 2024 — the debtor is at risk of public exposure. The only way to avoid this is to enter and comply with a payment arrangement, reduce the debt below the threshold, or have a valid legal suspension of collection. Still, the message is clear: “Even if you escape this time, the monitoring is ongoing.”

There are also “permanent residents” of the list — bankrupt companies, construction firms, football clubs, advertising agencies, manufacturers, and high-profile individuals who owe millions and have remained untouchable for years. These are the stars of the list: their debts are so vast and so old that they’re classified as unrecoverable. Just 10 individuals owe more than €6 billion, while 10 businesses have accumulated over €26 billion in debt!

Last year’s list saw an increase of 2,197 names compared to 2023, reaching 11,109 individuals and 18,095 legal entities. But the truth behind the numbers is telling: publication doesn’t necessarily lead to repayment. Rather, it’s a pressure tactic — sometimes even a public shaming tool — with more symbolic than financial impact. That said, even after publication, there is a process for correction or removal, for those who can prove wrongful inclusion or last-minute payment.

It’s worth noting that behind the spectacle of the major debtors’ list lies a different reality. As seen in past disclosures, many entries involve old, written-off debts from companies that remain permanently on the list either due to bankruptcy or because collection is no longer realistically possible. These debts are labeled irrecoverable after all means of enforcement have failed — serving only as a reminder of a bureaucratic dead end.