91997E3754

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3754/97 by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission (17 November 1997)

Subject: Greek regulations concerning non-national owners of cars in Greece

Would the Commission comment on the obligations the Greek Government places on non-nationals who own cars in Greece, and whether these represent discrimination?

Constituents have contacted me with details of obligations they are expected to fulfill in order to run a car in Greece and to avoid paying income tax. This process involves transfers of significant sums of money to a Greek bank account, a submission of a certificate of residence from the UK tax authority, and the submission of an annual tax return with a 'unique certificate of exchange of foreign currency', which must be obtained from the Greek bank.

Would the Commission agree that this places undue burdens on non-nationals?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (6 January 1998)

The Commission is aware that that, under Greek tax legislation, ownership of a car sometimes constitutes a criterion for assessing an individual's taxable income. In this connection, the Greek tax authorities can require foreign taxpayers with a car registered in Greece to provide proof of their income.

The Commission believes that these measures are intended to combat tax fraud, and similar measures are also applied by other Member States. According to the information available, the measures apply, in principle, to Greek and foreign nationals alike and do not, therefore, appear to be of a discriminatory nature at first sight.

However, if the Honourable Member would provide the Commission with more detailed information concerning the cases referred to him, it will carry out a more thorough examination of the circumstances involved.