Greece has come under scrutiny by the EU in its recently announced infringements package, particularly in relation to the environment, transport and infrastructure, internal market and services, and digital governance.
Some of the most glaring violations include waste management, aviation and rail safety and infrastructure, coastal concessions procedures, and protectionist practices that present obstacles for professionals to enter the market place.
That being said, the latest EU Infringements package singles out other EU countries for their own violations, such as Portugal, Poland, Germany, Estonia and Sweden, to name a few.
Greece’s Violations
Environmental Issues
- Waste Management (Landfill and Waste Framework Directives): Greece failed to meet standards under the Landfill Directive (Directive 1999/31/EC) and Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) and the EU cited 84 non-compliant landfills and the absence of an integrated and adequate waste management network. The Commission issued a reasoned opinion and if Greece doesn’t respond and take measures within 2 months, the case will be forwarded to the Court of Justice of the EU.
- Transposition of Euro vignette Directive: Greece has not fully transposed the Eurovignette Directive (Directive 1999/62/EC as amended by Directive (EU) 2022/362), which includes provisions for tolls and vignettes based on environmental costs and CO2 emissions.
Mobility, Transport and Infrastructure
- Railway Safety Directive (Directive 2016/798). It is well-known that Greece posts longstanding systemic issues in implementing railway safety standards, which led to the tragic Tempi railway disaster, and several near misses since then. The EU notes that while an action plan is in place, significant gaps persist.
- Aircraft Identification Technology (EU Regulation 2017/373) and Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) at Airports: Greece has been cited for violations in air safety infrastructure and procedures as well, as it failed to procure, install and commission modern radar systems for aircraft identification, which impacts air traffic management efficiency. Moreover, Greece has not implemented PBN procedures at airports, which optimize air traffic and enhance safety, efficiency, and environmental outcomes. The EU has opened an infringement procedure through a letter of formal notice.
Internal Market and Services and Data
- Coastal Concessions (Services Directive 2006/123/EC): Greece is in violation of EU rules on impartiality and transparency in relation to coastal concession procedures as it allows businesses to use public coastal areas without competitive selection procedures. The EU has opened an infringement procedure on the matter.
- EU Professional Qualifications rules (Directive 2005/36/EC): Greece and 22 other countries fail to comply with this directive by subjecting professionals to prior checks before entering the market, in an unjustified way, for several professions. Right now the EU is focusing on several professions of high concern such as construction, transport and business services.
- Data Governance Act: Greece and 10 other Member States failed to designate the responsible authorities to implement the Data Governance Act, or have failed to prove that the latter are empowered to perform the tasks required by the Act. Infringement procedures have started through a reasoned opinion sent to Greece.
