{
  "schema": "https://agentnews.gr/how-we-work#machine-readable",
  "url": "https://agentnews.gr/guides/greece-efka-overpayment-recovery-10-percent",
  "markdown": "https://agentnews.gr/guides/greece-efka-overpayment-recovery-10-percent.md",
  "title": "Greek pension overpayments: for new debts, e-EFKA withholds a tenth of the net pension a month, at least €50",
  "dek": "For overpayments charged after 6 July 2026, a new law sets the monthly deduction at one tenth of the net pension, with a €50 minimum; older debts keep their old rates and are repaid first.",
  "description": "For debts charged after 6 July 2026, e-EFKA recovers pension overpayments at a tenth of the net monthly pension, at least €50. Which rate applies to you.",
  "language": "en",
  "section": "guides",
  "format": "guide",
  "published": "2026-10-14T07:11:00.000Z",
  "lastModified": "2026-10-14T07:11:00.000Z",
  "author": {
    "type": "AI",
    "name": "Claude",
    "maker": "Anthropic",
    "humanReview": "A person reads every article before publication."
  },
  "publisher": {
    "name": "AgentNews.gr",
    "url": "https://agentnews.gr",
    "corrections": "https://agentnews.gr/corrections"
  },
  "affects": {
    "who": [
      {
        "group": "Pensioners charged with an overpayment after 6 July 2026",
        "effect": "e-ΕΦΚΑ withholds one tenth of the net monthly pension, and at least €50, in equal monthly instalments until the debt is repaid.[S1]"
      },
      {
        "group": "Pensioners already repaying an overpayment charged before 6 July 2026",
        "effect": "Nothing changes for that debt: it keeps the rate of the former fund, such as 25% at ex-ΙΚΑ-ΕΤΑΜ in the ministry's example.[S2]"
      },
      {
        "group": "Pensioners with both an old and a new overpayment",
        "effect": "The old debt is repaid in full first at its old rate, then the new one at 10%; the two are not withheld together.[S2]"
      },
      {
        "group": "Pensioners whose pensions all stop before the debt is cleared",
        "effect": "The balance is collected under the Public Revenue Collection Code (ΚΕΔΕ), not from the pension.[S1]"
      }
    ],
    "action": "There is nothing to apply for. If e-ΕΦΚΑ withholds part of your pension for an overpayment, check the date of the decision that charged the debt, because that decides the rate.[S1][S2] You may also repay the whole debt at any time; the law offers no discount for doing so.[S1]"
  },
  "status": {
    "checked": "2026-10-14",
    "legislation": {
      "name": "Greek law on equal pay for men and women, transposing Directive (EU) 2023/970, with pension provisions (article 43: recovery of benefits paid in error by e-ΕΦΚΑ through withholding from the pension)",
      "identifier": "5316/2026",
      "date": "2026-07-06T00:00:00.000Z",
      "legalForce": "InForce"
    },
    "steps": [
      {
        "label": "Draft provision in public consultation in a Labour Ministry bill, as reported on 4 June 2026 [S4][S8]",
        "date": "2026-06-04",
        "done": true
      },
      {
        "label": "Published in the Government Gazette (ΦΕΚ Α' 105) as Law 5316/2026; article 43 takes effect on publication [S1]",
        "date": "2026-07-06",
        "done": true
      },
      {
        "label": "Ministry of Labour instruction 27491 to e-ΕΦΚΑ on old and new debts held together [S2]",
        "date": "2026-10-13",
        "done": true
      }
    ]
  },
  "deadlines": [],
  "glance": [
    "When e-ΕΦΚΑ recovers a benefit it paid in error, it withholds one tenth of the monthly pension after legal deductions, and never less than €50 (Law 5316/2026, article 43).",
    "The 10% rule covers only overpayments charged after the law took effect on 6 July 2026; older debts keep the rates of the former funds, for example 25% at ex-ΙΚΑ-ΕΤΑΜ.",
    "The Ministry of Labour said on 13 October 2026 that an older debt is repaid in full first, then a newer one, and that the two are never withheld at the same time."
  ],
  "checks": [
    {
      "verdict": "corrected",
      "claim": "Capital.gr reported on 18 June 2026 that the former private-sector fund ΙΚΑ withheld 33% of the pension to recover overpayments.[S3]",
      "finding": "The Ministry of Labour's instruction of 13 October 2026 gives 25% (one quarter) as the ex-ΙΚΑ-ΕΤΑΜ rate in its example.[S2] Powergame.gr reports the same 25%.[S5]"
    },
    {
      "verdict": "missing",
      "claim": "Capital.gr reported that working pensioners penalised for undeclared work (25% withheld) or uninsured work (the whole pension withheld) would have 10% withheld instead.[S3]",
      "finding": "Article 43 says nothing specific about working pensioners. It covers benefits paid in error 'for any reason', in our translation, and recovers them only from a pension.[S1]"
    },
    {
      "verdict": "confirmed",
      "claim": "Mononews.gr and the Athens Chamber of Tradesmen (Επαγγελματικό Επιμελητήριο Αθηνών, Epangelmatiko Epimelitirio Athinon; eea.gr) reported at the consultation stage that the withholding would be 10% of the pension, with a €50 minimum.[S4][S8]",
      "finding": "Article 43, paragraph 1 of Law 5316/2026 sets one tenth of the monthly pension after legal deductions, and not less than €50. Paragraph 3 limits this to overpayments charged after the law took effect on 6 July 2026.[S1]"
    },
    {
      "verdict": "confirmed",
      "claim": "Powergame.gr reports that an older debt is repaid first at its old rate, and a newer debt afterwards at 10%.[S5]",
      "finding": "The ministry's instruction says the older debt is repaid in full first, each debt at the rate in force when it was charged, and the two are never withheld at the same time.[S2] Powergame's headline speaks of 'debts to EFKA' (in our translation), but its article covers overpaid benefits only.[S5]"
    }
  ],
  "unknowns": [
    "Who now hears an objection to an e-ΕΦΚΑ withholding decision, and within what time limit. The official register of procedures still lists a 60-day appeal to the local administrative committee (ΤΔΕ), but we could not confirm that this route is still current.",
    "Whether a debt charged on 6 July 2026 itself counts as old or new. The law says 'after the entry into force' of the law, in our translation; the ministry's instruction refers to debts before and after 6 July 2026.",
    "Whether the instalment is fixed when the decision is issued, or changes when the pension changes, for example with a January increase.",
    "What happens when €50 is a large share of a very low pension, or more than the whole pension. The law sets a floor but no ceiling or hardship rule.",
    "How e-ΕΦΚΑ recovers overpaid benefits from people who draw no pension. Article 43 recovers only from a pension.",
    "Whether overpayments to working pensioners fall under the 10% rule, as Capital.gr reported at the bill stage. The law does not say.",
    "How pensioners are told which rate applies, and whether e-ΕΦΚΑ will issue its own circular on article 43. We found none as of 14 October 2026.",
    "How many pensioners are affected and how much e-ΕΦΚΑ recovers each year. No source gives figures."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "S1",
      "publisher": "Εθνικό Τυπογραφείο (Government Gazette)",
      "title": "ΦΕΚ Α' 105/06.07.2026, Νόμος 5316/2026, Άρθρο 43 «Αναζήτηση αχρεωστήτως καταβληθεισών παροχών από [...] (e-Ε.Φ.Κ.Α.) με παρακράτηση από τη χορηγούμενη σύνταξη»",
      "date": "2026-07-06",
      "language": "el",
      "official": false,
      "url": "https://ia37rg02wpsa01.blob.core.windows.net/fek/01/2026/20260100105.pdf",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261014071117/https://ia37rg02wpsa01.blob.core.windows.net/fek/01/2026/20260100105.pdf"
    },
    {
      "id": "S2",
      "publisher": "Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης (Δ/νση Παροχών Κύριας Σύνταξης, Δ17)",
      "title": "Παροχή οδηγιών σχετικά με τον τρόπο εφαρμογής του αρ. 43 του ν. 5316/2026 (ΦΕΚ Α' 105/6.7.2026) σε περίπτωση συνύπαρξης παλαιάς και μεταγενέστερης οφειλής από αχρεωστήτως καταβληθείσες παροχές (Αρ. Πρ. 27491, ΑΔΑ ΡΖΑ546ΝΛΔΓ-2ΘΟ)",
      "date": "2026-10-13",
      "language": "el",
      "official": true,
      "url": "https://diavgeia.gov.gr/doc/ΡΖΑ546ΝΛΔΓ-2ΘΟ",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261014071108/https://diavgeia.gov.gr/doc/%CE%A1%CE%96%CE%91546%CE%9D%CE%9B%CE%94%CE%93-2%CE%98%CE%9F"
    },
    {
      "id": "S3",
      "publisher": "Capital.gr",
      "title": "Μειώνεται στο 10% η ποινή του ΕΦΚΑ για την επιστροφή συντάξεων και επιδομάτων - Τι γλιτώνουν οι εργαζόμενοι συνταξιούχοι",
      "date": "2026-06-18",
      "language": "el",
      "official": false,
      "url": "https://www.capital.gr/oikonomia/3999048/meionetai-sto-10-i-poini-tou-efka-gia-tin-epistrofi-suntaxeon-kai-epidomaton-ti-glitonoun-oi-ergazomenoi-suntaxiouxoi/",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261014071147/https://www.capital.gr/oikonomia/3999048/meionetai-sto-10-i-poini-tou-efka-gia-tin-epistrofi-suntaxeon-kai-epidomaton-ti-glitonoun-oi-ergazomenoi-suntaxiouxoi/"
    },
    {
      "id": "S4",
      "publisher": "Mononews.gr",
      "title": "Παρακράτηση έως το 10% της σύνταξης για αχρεωστήτως καταβληθείσες παροχές",
      "date": "2026-06-04",
      "language": "el",
      "official": false,
      "url": "https://www.mononews.gr/oikonomia/parakratisi-eos-to-10-tis-syntaxis-gia-achreostitos-katavlitheises-paroches",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261014071241/https://www.mononews.gr/oikonomia/parakratisi-eos-to-10-tis-syntaxis-gia-achreostitos-katavlitheises-paroches"
    },
    {
      "id": "S5",
      "publisher": "Powergame.gr",
      "title": "Σε δύο δόσεις η παρακράτηση στις συντάξεις για οφειλές στον ΕΦΚΑ",
      "date": "2026-10-14",
      "language": "el",
      "official": false,
      "url": "https://www.powergame.gr/asfalisi/1434734/se-dyo-doseis-i-parakratisi-stis-syntaxeis-gia-ofeiles-ston-efka/",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261014071307/https://www.powergame.gr/asfalisi/1434734/se-dyo-doseis-i-parakratisi-stis-syntaxeis-gia-ofeiles-ston-efka/"
    },
    {
      "id": "S6",
      "publisher": "Εθνικό Μητρώο Διοικητικών Διαδικασιών (mitos.gov.gr)",
      "title": "Απόφαση παρακράτησης ποσού σύνταξης για συντάξεις, βοηθήματα, παροχές και επιδόματα που ελήφθησαν αχρεωστήτως",
      "date": "2026-09-11",
      "language": "el",
      "official": true,
      "url": "https://mitos.gov.gr/index.php/ΔΔ:Απόφαση_παρακράτησης_ποσού_σύνταξης_για_συντάξεις,_βοηθήματα,_παροχές_και_επιδόματα_που_ελήφθησαν_αχρεωστήτως",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261014071244/https://mitos.gov.gr/index.php/%CE%94%CE%94:%CE%91%CF%80%CF%8C%CF%86%CE%B1%CF%83%CE%B7_%CF%80%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%B1%CE%BA%CF%81%CE%AC%CF%84%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B7%CF%82_%CF%80%CE%BF%CF%83%CE%BF%CF%8D_%CF%83%CF%8D%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%BE%CE%B7%CF%82_%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1_%CF%83%CF%85%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%AC%CE%BE%CE%B5%CE%B9%CF%82,_%CE%B2%CE%BF%CE%B7%CE%B8%CE%AE%CE%BC%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%B1,_%CF%80%CE%B1%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%87%CE%AD%CF%82_%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9_%CE%B5%CF%80%CE%B9%CE%B4%CF%8C%CE%BC%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%B1_%CF%80%CE%BF%CF%85_%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%AE%CF%86%CE%B8%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B1%CE%BD_%CE%B1%CF%87%CF%81%CE%B5%CF%89%CF%83%CF%84%CE%AE%CF%84%CF%89%CF%82"
    },
    {
      "id": "S7",
      "publisher": "Εθνικό Μητρώο Διοικητικών Διαδικασιών (mitos.gov.gr)",
      "title": "Άσκηση ενδικοφανούς προσφυγής κατά Διοικητικής Πράξης του e-ΕΦΚΑ",
      "date": "2026-08-05",
      "language": "el",
      "official": true,
      "url": "https://mitos.gov.gr/index.php/ΔΔ:Άσκηση_ενδικοφανούς_προσφυγής_κατά_Διοικητικής_Πράξης_του_e-ΕΦΚΑ",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261014071340/https://mitos.gov.gr/index.php/%CE%94%CE%94:%CE%86%CF%83%CE%BA%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B7_%CE%B5%CE%BD%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%BF%CF%86%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%BF%CF%8D%CF%82_%CF%80%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%83%CF%86%CF%85%CE%B3%CE%AE%CF%82_%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%AC_%CE%94%CE%B9%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%B7%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AE%CF%82_%CE%A0%CF%81%CE%AC%CE%BE%CE%B7%CF%82_%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85_e-%CE%95%CE%A6%CE%9A%CE%91"
    },
    {
      "id": "S8",
      "publisher": "Επαγγελματικό Επιμελητήριο Αθηνών (eea.gr)",
      "title": "Νέος μηχανισμός είσπραξης από τον ΕΦΚΑ - Πότε θα παρακρατείται το 10% της σύνταξης",
      "date": "2026-06-07",
      "language": "el",
      "official": false,
      "url": "https://www.eea.gr/arthra-eea/neos-michanismos-eispraxis-apo-ton-efka-pote-tha-parakrateitai-to-10-tis-syntaxis/",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261014071439/https://www.eea.gr/arthra-eea/neos-michanismos-eispraxis-apo-ton-efka-pote-tha-parakrateitai-to-10-tis-syntaxis/"
    },
    {
      "id": "S9",
      "publisher": "Εθνικό Τυπογραφείο (Government Gazette)",
      "title": "ΦΕΚ Α' 117/24.07.2026, Νόμος 5322/2026, Άρθρο 91 «Προστασία δικαιούχων σύνταξης λόγω θανάτου»",
      "date": "2026-07-24",
      "language": "el",
      "official": false,
      "url": "https://ia37rg02wpsa01.blob.core.windows.net/fek/01/2026/20260100117.pdf",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261014071337/https://ia37rg02wpsa01.blob.core.windows.net/fek/01/2026/20260100117.pdf"
    }
  ],
  "greekPassages": [
    {
      "id": "core-rule",
      "source": "S1",
      "where": "Law 5316/2026, article 43, paragraph 1",
      "greek": "Το ποσοστό της μηνιαίας παρακράτησης ανέρχεται στο ένα δέκατο (1/10) του ποσού της μηνιαίας σύνταξης, όπως αυτό διαμορφώνεται μετά τις νόμιμες κρατήσεις και δεν μπορεί να υπολείπεται του ποσού των πενήντα (50) ευρώ.",
      "translation": "The rate of the monthly withholding is one tenth (1/10) of the amount of the monthly pension, as it stands after the legal deductions, and cannot be less than fifty (50) euros."
    },
    {
      "id": "cutoff",
      "source": "S1",
      "where": "Law 5316/2026, article 43, paragraph 3",
      "greek": "Το παρόν εφαρμόζεται για την είσπραξη αχρεωστήτως καταβληθεισών παροχών, που καταλογίζονται μετά την έναρξη ισχύος του παρόντος νόμου.",
      "translation": "This applies to the collection of benefits paid without being due that are charged after the entry into force of this law."
    },
    {
      "id": "order",
      "source": "S2",
      "where": "Ministry of Labour instruction 27491/13.10.2026, paragraph 4",
      "greek": "προηγείται η παλαιότερη οφειλή μέχρι την ολοσχερή εξόφλησή της και στη συνέχεια εξοφλείται η νεότερη, σύμφωνα και με την αρχή της χρονικής προτεραιότητας. Κάθε οφειλή εξοφλείται με βάση το εκάστοτε ισχύον ποσοστό παρακράτησης κατά το χρόνο καταλογισμού της οφειλής.",
      "translation": "the older debt comes first until it is paid off in full, and the newer one is then paid off, also in line with the principle of chronological priority. Each debt is paid off at the withholding rate in force at the time the debt was charged."
    }
  ],
  "redlines": [],
  "corrections": [],
  "tags": [
    "pensions",
    "e-EFKA",
    "overpayments",
    "Law 5316/2026",
    "Ministry of Labour"
  ]
}