The abolition of OPEKEPE and the integration of payment and control functions into the AADE, where the Agency’s staff will also be transferred, was decided at a meeting held under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with the participation of Vice President of the Government Costis Hatzidakis, the Ministers of National Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis, Rural Development Kostas Tsiaras, the Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister George Mylonakis and the Governor of AADE George Pitsilis.

After the efforts of internal modernization of OPEKEPE that did not yield the expected results, the Government, in cooperation with the European Authorities, proceeded to address the problem, sending the message that the system of Agricultural Support and Payments is entering a new era, putting a definitive end to bad practices and pathologies of decades, which deprived farmers of resources and opportunities.

According to reports, the process will begin immediately, with the cooperation of the Ministries of Rural Development, National Economy and Finance and the AADE, under the supervision of the Vice President of the Government. The goal is to have full integration completed in the second half of 2026. To this end, the relevant legislation will be submitted by July.

The legislative intervention will focus on better service to farmers and at the same time on transparency and accountability by upgrading payment procedures, developing new digital services, strengthening internal control, interoperability of OPEKEPE and AADE systems, multiplying physical checks using modern digital tools and standardizing and certifying procedures.

According to the briefing, the choice of the AADE for the implementation of the reform was based on the independence of the Authority and its significant successes in combating tax evasion and enhancing transparency in citizens’ transactions with the tax administration, which are guarantees for the reform of the system of agricultural subsidies and payments, in favour of farmers and the primary sector, but also of the Greek economy as a whole.