The extension for 1+1 month was decided by the leadership of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance and the AADE, in order to complete without technical problems the major project of connecting the POS with the cash registers.

This decision was made, the finance ministry said in a statement, taking into account both the requests of the POS and cash register provider market itself, as well as businesses to be able to adapt to the requirements of a complex and multi-level project. It is noted that the progress of the project to date is very significant, as 85% of the POS and cash register systems have been upgraded, while the connections exceeded 60,000, with scheduled appointments in the next few days amounting to 20,000.

Specifically, and in order to complete the project without technical problems, an extension of 1 month is granted, i.e. until March 31, 2024, for those companies that have not yet connected their systems. Within this time, obligees should contact the authorized cash register installers in order to complete the process.

It is noted that this extension can be extended for an additional monthi.e. until April 30, 2024:

A) for those businesses that were unable to find an available appointment in March, but have a scheduled appointment with an installer in April. Appointments should be announced on a special platform that will be put into operation by AADE on the second 15th of March.

B) for businesses that will declare in the POS Registry that they are going to replace their cash register system with one of the new all-in-one solutions available, which does not require additional interface actions. Already, two e-invoicing providers have been approved with such solutions and many more are expected very soon.

To date, the progress of interfacing POS with cash registers is very significant, as the following have been implemented:

  • Over 85% of POS and cash register software has been upgraded. It is recalled that upgrading the systems is a prerequisite in order to complete the interconnection.
  • More than 60,000 connections have already been made throughout Greece.
  • Over 20,000 appointments with installation technicians are scheduled over the next few days to complete the interconnection.
  • Over 130,000 informative emails have been sent to businesses that have a cash register and have upgraded their POS. The messages invite businesses to directly connect their POS with cash registers.
  • In order to cover part of the POS purchase and interconnection costs, the 4th round of financing was opened last Monday through the “Digital Transactions” program, which also covers additional KAD, such as retail trade activities at open-air stalls and markets, etc. However, it should be emphasized that the approval to receive the voucher is NOT a condition for the debtor to proceed with the interconnection of his systems. He should proceed to the interface immediately and when his voucher is approved he will be able to use it. It is emphasized that from the first 3 financing cycles, the corresponding vouchers have been approved for 121,138 businesses for the purchase/replacement of POS (18.1 million euros) and 169,837 businesses for covering part of the cost of connecting the POS with cash registers (22.5 million . euro).
  • Since September, 12 different legislative and regulatory procedures have been completed by the Ministry of National Economy and Finance and AADE. At the same time, a special project management team operates daily to deal with any problems that arise, while the fines are tightened for those liable (both businesses and POS providers, cashiers and installation technicians) who do not work towards the completion of the project within the schedules.
  • A special website https://www.aade.gr/diasyndesipos has been created with information on the interconnection project, on financing, with interconnection guides for each POS model, while a section is also included where businesses can check the readiness of interconnection between their POS and cash system.
  • It is clarified that all businesses that fall under the 35 retail sectors that are required to install a POS must order the POS terminal by today, February 29, and install it within March. Then, those who are liable should proceed to interface the POS with the cashier within the schedules mentioned above and which concern all businesses.
  • Especially businesses that use a cash register with a software system (ERP) and must follow the basic interconnection rule of A.1155/2023 for their POS, are reminded that they already have a deadline of May 31, 2024.
  • Along with the new interconnection schedule, the deadline for the withdrawal of tax mechanisms (EAFDSS) from the companies that use them is extended until April 30, 2024.
  • It is clarified that the cash registers of businesses that are closed for any reason (e.g. seasonality) and will be opened after the end of the above schedule (which amount to approximately 30,000) will have to be connected to the POS terminals they have from the first day of business resumption.

Finally, from the Ministry’s point of view, it is underlined that it was decided not to grant a longer extension for two reasons: First, because it has been established in many cases that the first period of long extensions goes unexploited by relaxing the rhythms. Second, because almost all of the base work (upgrades, etc.) has now been completed and that at the pace already achieved in the last few days the project will be completed on schedule. And thirdly, because the interconnection of POS with cash registers is included in the Recovery Fund, as a milestone project, which means that any delay in the completion of the project may lead to a partial interruption of the country’s funding from Brussels.

The Minister of National Economy and Finance, Kostis Hatzidakis, said: “The great project of interfacing POS with cash registers is proceeding at an intensive pace. Thanks to the cooperation of the State, providers and businesses that are subject to interconnection, an important part of the project has been completed. By maintaining the current pace, the project will be completed on time and the country’s tax system will move into a new era. We are proceeding with the extension for 1+1 month in order to complete the project without technical problems. This is the last stage of a complex and multi-level reform that in a few weeks from today will be a reality, “rain or snow”! It is our Ministry’s decision to complete this important reform on time.”

The Deputy Minister of National Economy and FinanceHaris Theocharis, said: “With the latest extension, the Ministry makes two things clear: The first is that the Government is showing the greatest possible understanding, allowing additional time for the market to adapt to the new legislative framework. The second, however, concerns the obligation to comply with the measure of the POS and cash register interface. We are granting an extension precisely because we are determined to apply state law to the letter. It is an extension, not a postponement and relaxation. Interfacing cash registers and POS is a project of national importance and we all need to comply immediately. I recommend activating everyone, as after the deadlines they will only face the penalties. We don’t want to collect any fines so there should be no delay!”
The Governor of AADE, Giorgos Pitsilis, said: “We are in constant communication with the market operators who participate in the project of interconnecting the cash registers with the POS. Taking into account the progress of the project, which thanks to everyone’s cooperation has now entered the final stretch, we are giving everyone the opportunity to proceed with the required actions, with even greater speed, so that they are prepared in time.”