The Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross settlement Express Transfer system (TARGET2 system) will be closed on 2nd and 5th April 2021, i.e. on Good Friday and οn the second day of Catholic and Protestant Easter respectively. Said days do not coincide with bank holidays within the Hellenic territory and therefore, in accordance with Article 11 of Law 3336/2005, these are days of special bank holiday and the provisions of said Article will apply.

On those dates, banks' branches will remain open, since these are working days for the bank personnel. However, limited services will be provided to the trading public, since the non-operation of TARGET2 does not allow certain interbank transactions to take place.

The interbank trading holiday applies to the Bank of Greece, the companies of the Athens Stock Exchange group, DIAS Interbanking Systems S.A., as well as to the following categories of companies:

1. Credit institutions operating in Greece, including Greek credit institutions, the Deposit and Loan Fund and branches of foreign credit institutions

2. Investment Services companies

3. Leasing and Factoring companies

4. Fund Management companies and Portfolio Investment companies

On the day of the special holiday, all overdue obligations arising from existing contracts between the aforementioned entities and their customers, as well as all other obligations of their customers to any third party due on the same day, shall be fulfilled on the following working day, i.e. on Tuesday, 6th April 2021, when the consequences of any non-fulfilment begin.

Transactions that take place to credit institutions on the days of the special holiday will be registered in their systems under the date of the next working day, i.e. Tuesday, 6th April 2021.

In accordance with paragraph 5 of article 11 of Law 3336/2005, all obligations arising from servicing the Greek Government's public debt, loans and securities of Greek Public Sector will be fulfilled, in accordance with their special conditions, either on the previous or on next working day, i.e. Thursday, 1st April or Tuesday, 6th April respectively.

Following instructions of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue, on the 2nd and 5th of April 2021, Public Financial Services and Customs Authorities of our country will accept bank cheques with April 6th, 2021 as date of issue.

Finally, it is recommended that organisations and companies which work directly with banks for sending debit files through standing orders and salary credit files, may contact directly their bank of cooperation for any further information or clarification.