Greece begins parliamentary debate on EU AI Act implementation

Greece has introduced a draft law to implement the EU AI Act, becoming one of the first EU member states to establish a comprehensive national governance framework for enforcing the regulation.

The legislation aims to promote the safe, trustworthy and human-centred use of AI while protecting fundamental rights and supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and economic competitiveness.

The draft law designates the Hellenic Data Protection Authority as the national market surveillance authority and national contact point under the AI Act, while assigning the Hellenic Telecommunications and Post Commission as the notifying authority.

It also establishes an Artificial Intelligence Coordination and Know-how Centre to provide technical expertise to regulators, alongside a unified complaints mechanism and an administrative sanctions framework to support enforcement.

To encourage responsible innovation, the proposal introduces an AI regulatory sandbox, allowing startups and small and medium-sized enterprises to test AI applications under regulatory supervision.

The legislation also creates a Unified Registry of Public Artificial Intelligence Systems to strengthen transparency and accountability, while expanding the role of Greece’s AI Observatory in monitoring implementation of the National AI Strategy.

According to the Ministry of Digital Governance, the framework follows the AI Act’s risk-based approach by applying oversight measures proportionate to the risks posed by different AI systems.

The proposal builds on Greece’s broader AI strategy, including the creation of the Special Secretariat for Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance, with the aim of balancing innovation, economic development and the protection of fundamental rights.

Why does it matter?

Greece is positioning itself among the first EU member states to translate the AI Act into operational national institutions and enforcement mechanisms. By establishing supervisory authorities, a regulatory sandbox and governance structures ahead of key implementation deadlines, the country aims to provide greater legal certainty for businesses while supporting responsible AI innovation.

The legislation also illustrates how the AI Act will increasingly be implemented through national institutions rather than EU bodies alone. As other member states develop their own enforcement frameworks, differences in implementation could shape how consistently the regulation is applied across the European Union.

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