Τhe discontinuation of personal cheques for the payment of debts to the State, by both individuals and legal entities, from 1 January 2026, was announced on Friday by the Treasury of the Republic.

As stated, this decision is part of the transition to a more modern, faster, and more efficient framework for collecting public revenues.

It is noted that the change aims to provide greater convenience, speed, and security for citizens, as personal cheques often caused delays in processing, errors in completion that could lead to rejection due to incorrect details or insufficient funds, and subsequent inconvenience for the citizen, who would need to repeat the payment.

By ending the use of cheques, citizens save time, avoid unnecessary bureaucracy, and benefit from more secure transactions with the State, the statement continues. In practice, citizens can settle their obligations easily through direct, safe, and simple payment methods such as bank cards at cash desks and online, as well as bank transfers, including instant payments that are completed within seconds.

At the same time, the option of using a banker’s draft remains temporarily available, although there is an intention to discontinue its acceptance in the near future, while cash remains accepted for transactions up to €10,000.

The Treasury of the Republic is promoting modern methods of public service provision as part of its mission to modernise and improve the management of public resources, the announcement concludes.