The European Commission's 2026 Rule of Law Report on Greece, published on 22 July 2026, assesses progress on judicial independence, anti-corruption, media freedom, and civil society, issuing four specific recommendations for continued reform. The report notes mixed results: perceived judicial independence among the public rose to 43% (from 38% in 2025) but fell among companies to 33% (from 49%). Disposition time in civil first-instance cases, while slightly reduced to 737 days in 2024 (from 771 in 2023), remains the longest in the EU. The new judicial map shows improvement, with the Athens Court of First Instance reducing disposition time to 513 days from 1,422. A constitutional revision proposal from June 2026 would shift top court appointment power from the executive to a parliamentary committee, and a post-retirement cooling-off period for judges (2 to 4 years) is under discussion. Digitalisation projects, including the Integrated Case Management System, are advancing with full rollout expected by end of 2026, and 50 new prosecutorial positions are being created.
On anti-corruption, the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP) 2022-2025 was implemented, and a new NACAP is being finalised. A digital registry for corruption cases is expected to be operational on 1 January 2027. However, prosecutions and final judgments, including in high-level corruption cases, remain limited. The report recommends continuing efforts to establish a robust track record of prosecutions and final judgments in corruption cases, including high-level corruption.
In media and civil society, a self-regulatory media body is now provided for by law, and new legislation strengthens public service media governance, though political independence concerns remain. A national action plan on journalist safety is in preparation. The lobbying framework has not been improved, with no expanded definition of lobbyist adopted. The report recommends improving the lobbying framework, including by reviewing the definition of a lobbyist and ensuring effective implementation. It also urges completing work on strengthening legislative and non-legislative safeguards to improve the safety and protection of journalists, in particular as regards abusive lawsuits (anti-SLAPP legislation being finalised). On civil society, a structured dialogue with CSOs has been initiated but is not yet regular, and registration requirements remain fragmented. The report recommends intensifying efforts to consolidate a regular and sustained structured dialogue with CSOs and simplifying registration requirements.
The report's recommendations impact several stakeholders. For the Greek government, implementing the recommendations will require legislative and administrative efforts, particularly on corruption prosecutions and lobbying reform, which may face political resistance. The judiciary stands to benefit from increased independence and efficiency, but the proposed constitutional changes and cooling-off period could alter power dynamics. Journalists and civil society organisations would gain from stronger protections and a more enabling environment, though the pace of reform remains uncertain. Businesses, especially those concerned with judicial efficiency, may see improved contract enforcement and reduced corruption risks, but the slow progress on high-level corruption prosecutions could undermine investor confidence.