Bank-account attachment in Greece: protected deposits and points to check

Attachment, set-off or another restriction?

Being unable to withdraw funds does not by itself explain what happened. Ask the bank for written details of the measure, the authority or private creditor, its date and reference. Preserve every notification rather than relying only on an app's unavailable-balance display. Use copies for correspondence and keep the originals together.

Record which credits preceded the restriction, what amount was affected and whether there are joint holders. Tax-authority collection and enforcement by a private creditor require different files. Include previous service documents, repayment records and any payment order so that the initial legal assessment is not delayed by a search for basic paperwork.

Public creditors: the new limit and the AADE declaration

Article 6 of Law 5313/2026 increased the protected-deposit limit against the State to €1,600 monthly per individual at one institution. An electronic declaration of a single account to AADE is required. Where an account receives periodic wages, pension or insurance benefits, that account must be designated.

Check the application's declaration status and retain the confirmation. AADE explains that the confirmation must be presented to the bank for institutions not integrated into the system. A saved draft should not be mistaken for completion. This declaration is not a general discharge of debts or a complete answer about every specially protected benefit.

Private creditors: a separate declaration and salary protection

For private creditors, Article 20 of Law 4161/2013, as amended in 2026, provides €1,600, or €2,200 for a joint account, with a declaration to the bank. This is not the State's monthly framework. Wage, pension and insurance-benefit deposits also require consideration of Article 982 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

Do not assume that an AADE filing completed the separate process against private creditors. Have the relevant bank declaration checked and provide detailed statements identifying the origin of credits. For a joint account, record who contributed each payment. Having another account holder is not, on its own, a blanket guarantee that no funds can be attached.

Repayment arrangements and lifting an attachment

Article 18 of Law 5313/2026 provides a specific route to lift tax-authority attachments on application and subject to conditions. It is not safe to assume that any repayment arrangement or first instalment automatically releases every account. Check what was requested, whether a decision was issued and which measure it covers.

For an assessment in Heraklion or elsewhere in Crete, gather the following documents. Do not wait for a routine bank reply if a court deadline may be running. The appropriate court challenge, restriction request or lifting application depends on the creditor and measure. Sources were checked on 19 October 2026; recovery of money already remitted is not guaranteed.

• The bank's explanation, attachment document and other served documents
• Protected-account declarations, confirmations and processing status
• Account statements and evidence of wages, pension or benefits
• Debt statements, repayment arrangements and payment receipts