Head of International Corporate Law and Fintech Practice
Expert in fintech, crypto, and international corporate law with over 20 years of experience. Specializes in crypto licensing (VASP/CASP), iGaming business support, and international structuring, asset protection, and OSINT analytics for risk assessment and due diligence.
Financial monitoring in Greece
The financial monitoring system in Greece is part of the pan-European mechanism for combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). In recent years, the country has harmonized its legislation with EU Directives, creating a comprehensive control infrastructure that covers all categories of entities – from banks and financial companies to notaries, lawyers and cryptocurrency service providers.
Legislative framework
The main regulatory act regulating the financial monitoring sector is Law No. 4557/2018 on the prevention and combating of money laundering and terrorist financing. This law implements the Fourth and Fifth EU Directives (EU 2015/849 and EU 2018/843), ensuring transparency in the financial sector, the implementation of KYC procedures and the mandatory registration of ultimate beneficial owners.
From 2022, Greece will also adapt its national rules to the requirements of the Sixth EU Directive (EU 2018/1673), which establishes enhanced criminal liability for money laundering and strengthens cross-border cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
Regulators and supervisory authorities
The key authority in the field of combating money laundering is the Hellenic FIU (Financial Intelligence Unit). It operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance and performs the functions of analyzing suspicious transactions, exchanging information with international partners (Egmont Group, Europol, FIUs of other countries) and transferring materials to law enforcement agencies.
Additional supervisory powers are held by:
- Bank of Greece (Bank of Greece) – supervises banks, payment institutions, exchange offices, e-money operators.
- Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) – is responsible for brokers, investment funds and asset management companies.
- Ministry of Development and Investment – coordinates the monitoring of the non-financial sector, including the registration of beneficiaries.
Customer Identification and Obligations
Financial institutions in Greece are required to adhere to the “know your customer” principle, which includes:
- verifying the identity of the customer and the beneficial owner;
- assessing the source of funds;
- determining the purpose of the business relationship or specific transaction;
- continuously monitoring customer transactions.
Identification is carried out on the basis of official documents, data from electronic registers and, if necessary, confirmation of the residential address or tax residency. Special attention is required for high-risk customers – politically exposed persons (PEPs), non-residents from offshore zones and participants in cryptocurrency transactions.
Beneficial Owner Register
In 2019, Greece created a Centralized Electronic UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owners Register), administered by the Ministry of Finance. Companies must disclose the ownership structure and ultimate owners who directly or indirectly own more than 25% of the corporate rights. The data is entered into the system via the gsis.gr platform and must be updated within 60 days in case of any changes.
Failure to comply with this obligation entails significant fines – from 10,000 to 100,000 euros – and possible suspension of business activity until the violation is corrected.
Monitoring of cryptocurrency companies
Since 2021, Greece has implemented requirements for virtual asset service providers (VASPs). Such companies must:
- register with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission;
- implement an AML/CTF risk management policy;
- carry out customer identification and transaction monitoring;
- retain records of transactions for at least 5 years.
The legislation provides for sanctions for non-compliance, ranging from administrative fines to criminal liability for facilitating the laundering of illegal proceeds.
Supervision and Sanctions Practice
Supervisory authorities regularly conduct inspections of banks and financial intermediaries, paying particular attention to:
- transactions without clear economic substance;
- transfers of funds to third countries;
- customers with opaque corporate structures;
- digital asset transactions.
In 2024-2025, the Bank of Greece tightened the requirements for payment institutions and fintech companies, requiring them to integrate automated transaction monitoring systems and conduct annual audits of AML systems.
Financial monitoring in Greece has evolved into a structured mechanism that ensures the transparency of financial flows and protects the economic system from abuse. For businesses, this means the need to implement internal compliance policies, properly document customer due diligence and constantly update the risk management system in accordance with EU requirements.
Greece, as a full member of the European financial community, continues its course to enhance transparency and improve AML/KYC legal instruments. This creates a favorable environment for international businesses that operate with integrity and adhere to financial security standards.
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