Greek customs strike may cause delays at Türkiye border crossings

Greek customs officers have announced a nationwide four-hour work stoppage over unpaid overtime payments, with possible disruptions expected at border crossings with Türkiye, including the Bahçeköy (Kipi) and Çörekköy (Kastanies) checkpoints.

The Federation of Greek Customs Officers (OTYE) said the strike will take place on Monday, July 27, from 07:30 to 11:30 at 24-hour customs facilities across Greece unless a regulation regarding overtime and shift payments is published.

The federation warned that delays could increase at border points due to the ongoing summer travel season, particularly affecting crossings used by travelers between Greece and Türkiye.

OTYE said it has requested the publication of regulations concerning the distribution of overtime allowances for the second half of 2026 by July 22, arguing that customs employees have continued working night shifts, weekends and public holidays without receiving the corresponding payments.

According to the federation, discussions with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) indicated that efforts were underway to secure additional funding, but no payments had yet been made for overtime work.

The union stated that customs personnel are being asked to maintain operations at land borders, airports and ports without sufficient financial guarantees, emphasizing that shift allowances must be fully paid to ensure uninterrupted public services.

OTYE’s board announced that if its demands are not addressed, the four-hour strike will begin with the morning shift on July 27 across customs facilities nationwide.

The federation also called on local customs employees’ associations to pursue legal action to recover unpaid overtime payments from 2024, 2025 and 2026.

OTYE said the overtime dispute has continued for more than a decade and called on political authorities and AADE leadership to implement a permanent solution.