Commissioner McGrath, answering a parliamentary question from S&D MEP Sakis Arnaoutoglou, stated that the European Commission has no concrete indications that Greece is systematically violating Regulation (EU) 2016/1191 on the free movement of public documents. The regulation aims to cut red tape by abolishing apostille requirements for certain civil status documents and introducing multilingual standard forms. McGrath emphasised that citizens who encounter problems should file detailed complaints with the Commission, which would then examine the matter and contact Greece if needed.
The question, submitted on 9 March 2026, highlighted reports that Greek administrative or consular authorities still demand apostilles, certified translations, or additional paperwork, causing financial costs and delays. Arnaoutoglou asked whether the Commission had verified Greece's implementation, recorded specific infringements, and examined whether practices lead to discriminatory treatment between different categories of parents.
McGrath's answer contained no concrete proposals, numerical targets, or deadlines. It reaffirmed the Commission's monitoring role but offered only a general commitment to take appropriate action if evidence of a general and consistent breach emerges. The response signals a cautious, complaint-driven enforcement approach rather than proactive investigation.
The Commission prioritises a reactive, evidence-based enforcement model, placing the burden on citizens to provide detailed proof of systemic failures. This approach may limit the regulation's effectiveness if individual cases are difficult to document or if authorities apply pressure informally.
No immediate action is planned. The Commission will await complaints before engaging with Greek authorities. MEPs may raise the issue again if further evidence surfaces, potentially leading to a formal infringement procedure.