Apodixi Please
When arriving in Greece, you may have noticed large advertising screens with the slogan “Apodixi please”, while waiting at the airport to collect your luggage. It is part of an information campaign to combat tax evasion.
Apodixi, in Greek, means “receipt” or “proof of purchase”. The campaign encourages tourists and locals alike to always ask for a receipt when buying goods or services. This simple request plays a significant role in Greece’s efforts to combat tax evasion and improve its economy.
Before paying for a product or service, you should ask for a receipt. They have to give you one. If they don’t you can simply refuse to pay. Also notice that all sellers of goods and services are obliged by law to accept credit card payments. Only taxi drivers and kiosks are excluded.
Although there is progress in the fight against tax evasion in recent years, it still remains a big issue in the tourist industry. Taverns, bars, cafes, hotels, but also in the rental of cars and umbrellas for the beach, as well as in souvenir sellers, many euros are not registered by cash registers.
As a visitor, it’s essential to be aware of the “Apodixi please” campaign and actively request receipts when making purchases. This small action can make a big difference in supporting the country’s efforts to combat tax evasion.
In some cases when paying in cash, you’ll get a receipt that is illegal. There is a free small app by the government for all the mobile phones that let’s you take a picture of the receipt and upload it anonymously to government server to check if is legal. You can download it using the following QR codes.