Greece’s independent public revenues authority has launched yet another campaign, aimed at the millions of foreign tourists that visit the country, to remind them that they can pay for all sorts of goods and services via their debit and credit cards.
Coming amid the peak of the annual summer season, the ad campaign reiterates that hotels, eateries, bars, cafes, clubs and all types of shops in the east Mediterranean country are obliged to receive e-payments. At the same time, the authority calls on visitors to always request a receipt of their transaction issued by cash registers and POS devices.
The independent authority has already spread its English-language message via Google, while ads will also go up in airports around the country, complete with instructions on what a valid receipt must include and a list of consumers’ rights – especially the right not to pay for a service or good if the proprietor does not issue a legal retail receipt for the transaction.
The word “apodixi”, Greek for “receipt” is the main theme of the campaign, i.e. “Apodixi please!”
The campaign to “train” the tourists that visit the country on how they can ask for a receipt as follows:
Welcome to Greece!
This message aims to inform you about your consumer rights in our country. Under Greek law, all hotels, restaurants, bars, cafés, car rentals and, in general, almost all suppliers of goods and services (with a few exceptions, such as taxi drivers and kiosks) are obliged to accept debit, credit or prepaid cards.
Therefore, you do not need to pay in cash. You can ask to pay by card.
Furthermore, all suppliers of goods and services are obliged to issue receipts to their customers. Consumer is not obliged to pay, in cash or by card, if he/she is not provided with a valid payment receipt (“apódixi”).
Restaurants, bars, cafés, stores, mini markets and in general, almost all suppliers of goods are obliged to have electronic cash registers and are not allowed to issue receipts that are handwritten or printed in regular paper.
For those exempt from the obligation to have an electronic cash register (namely certain suppliers of services, such as hotels, clinics, doctors, lawyers etc), receipts, which in most cases are printed, must contain the name, address and the 9digit tax identification number (ΑΦΜ) of the supplier.
So in all cases, before you pay you have the right to ask for a receipt and you are not obliged to pay if you don’t get one. It’s so simple to say in Greek: “Apódixi please”!
One more thing. By using your card for your payments and asking for a receipt, you help the Greek Tax Administration collect taxes that are already included in the price you pay. Practically, you contribute to Greece’s financial recovery and offer us the opportunity to provide you with even better services next time you come to our country.
Enjoy your stay!
Read more at protothema.gr/naftemporiki.gr
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
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