Online transactions are growing rapidly. From 40 billion euros in 2021, it is estimated to exceed 60 billion euros this year. This has been helped by the return of tourism to pre-pandemic levels, as tourists are much more familiar with the use of plastic money than the Greeks. But the Greeks are increasingly restricting the use of cash in their transactions.

In supermarkets, gas stations, hotels and, gradually, in the catering sector, the use of cards has increased compared to previous years. For example, in 2021, transactions made with cards in supermarkets (small and large) amounted to 320 million, and the turnover reached the amount of 7.97 billion euros, which is 20% of the total turnover carried out by cards. It is noted that the annual turnover of supermarkets is approaching 12 billion euros.

However, there are activities for which electronic transactions are an unknown word. They do not have terminals (POS), unless they are required by law, and if they do, they are not used much. These are mostly freelancers, but also activities such as kindergartens, taxis, real estate agencies, lawyers. According to the data that began to be processed by AADE, 130 KAAD (activity code number) were identified, in which only ten professionals from each of the above industries used POS.

The data that AADE has, mainly for POS deniers, will be used by audit services to determine whether the declared income of some professional entrepreneurs is in line with the industry average. Therefore, the focus will be on professions and industries that insist on cash, to establish whether this choice is also associated with tax evasion.

According to the data that AADE receives from banks, in 2021, card transactions amounted to 40 billion euros, 1.3 billion documents were issued for 363,850 TINs with POS and using them. However, the volume of card transactions remains extremely low compared to transactions recorded in EU countries. Private financial activity reached 120 billion euros in 2021, of which only a third was done with cards. As a result of data processing, the following conclusions follow:

1. In 12,045 supermarkets (small and large), POS transactions amounted to 7.97 billion euros. The average transaction is 25 euros.

2. POS transactions reached 3.199 billion euros at 4,032 filling stations. The average transaction was 37 euros.

3. In the catering industry, 30,230 businesses have used POS. Card transactions reached 1.8 billion euros last year. The average transaction was 21.22 euros. It is noted that 32% of transactions in public catering are carried out by cards.

4. Hotels and residential premises. Transactions in 6,395 businesses operating in this sector recorded POS transactions worth 1.84 billion. The average transaction was 185 euros.

5. 13,135 businesses use POS in clothing retail. Transactions reached 1.6 billion euros.

6. Mobile and fixed communications. Card transactions reached 1.2 billion euros.

AADE starts checking branches that insist on cash.

7. All pharmacies have POS. According to AADE, 10,472 pharmacies carried out transactions through POS terminals in the amount of 116 million euros.

Industries that insist on cash, whether a receipt is issued or not.

• 3,011 taxis used an electronic payment terminal, compared to over 15,000 taxis in Attica and Thessaloniki alone. POS transactions in 2021 amounted to 18.3 million euros.

• Only 393 brokerages have and use POS, while there are over 3,000 brokers in Athens alone. The amount of transactions amounted to 13.4 million euros.

• 3,470 lawyers (firms) accepted payment via POS. Their transactions amounted to 11.18 million euros. Lawyers (not offices) exceed 22,000.

• Only 671 nurseries and kindergartens across the country have POS. Card transactions last year amounted to 7.6 million euros.

• 15 trucking companies used or used POS in the last year. Card transactions reached 106,356 euros.

• Last year, POS-terminals were used by 1,319 plumbers, while only 2,600 people registered with the Athens Association. The amount of transactions amounted to 15.95 million euros.

• 1,153 electricians accepted card payments and raised €15.49 million.

As can be seen from the data from the Bank of Greece, accuracy contributed to lower transaction costs. The average cost of card transactions decreased for the first time since the first half of 2020 and amounted to 2145 euros, recording a drop of 6% compared to the previous half of the year. The average transaction cost for all cards decreased compared to the second half of 2021 and amounted to 48 euros.