The draft bill of the Ministry of Culture was approved by Parliament on 29 January 2026, introducing for the first time into the Greek legal system a comprehensive institutional framework for the prevention and combating of forgery and fraud involving works of art and collectible items. The new legislation establishes a stricter and more complete regulatory framework aimed at safeguarding cultural heritage, protecting creators, and ensuring the proper functioning of the art market. The bill also includes provisions concerning historic cinemas.
The law provides for increased criminal and administrative sanctions for the production, circulation, trade, and possession of forged works of art, substantially strengthening the deterrent framework against practices of forgery and fraud. Penalties are scaled according to the severity of the offense and the financial damage caused, while aggravating circumstances—such as professional or repeated involvement—are also taken into account.
A key innovation of the law is the establishment of a special registry of forged works of art. The registry will serve as a central point for recording and information, contributing to the prevention of the re-circulation of forged works and facilitating inspections by the competent authorities. At the same time, it enhances cooperation among public authorities, expert professionals, and stakeholders in the art market.
The introduction of the registry is expected to strengthen the traceability of works of art and improve transparency in transactions, thereby protecting collectors, museums, galleries, auction houses, and investors. Moreover, it contributes to restoring confidence in the art market, which has repeatedly been undermined by incidents of falsification and deception.
See the Official Government Gazette here