Greece enforces cashless payment option to help fight tax evasion [Video]

The option to pay by card rather than cash is now mandatory in Greece.

‌From April 1, all businesses including market traders, small shops and taxis must offer cashless payments – or face heavy fines.

It’s the latest move by the Greek government to tackle tax evasion. The Finance Ministry will start imposing fines on businesses that do not use a point-of-sale transaction system – or POS, as it’s more commonly known.

It means all the remaining sectors of the economy that were previously exempt – such as taxis, kiosks, and outdoor farmers’ markets – will now have to accept cashless payments. Many already do. But for those who don’t, the switch could be challenging.

“The main complaint I hear is not about the system itself, but about internet connections in taxis and at outdoor markets,” Head of Outdoor Farmers Markets Association Dimitris Mouliatos told CGTN. 

“That’s our main issue …