On January 28, 2026, the Greek Parliament passed the Ministry of Culture’s draft law entitled: “Protection of works of art and collectibles—Combating the manufacture and trafficking of counterfeit works of art and collectibles and the damage of works of art and collectibles—Criminal provisions— -Establishment of a Register of Sworn Experts and other provisions of the Ministry of Culture.”

The prevention and suppression of crimes in the field of art is a crucial issue for the protection of the integrity of art itself, of artists, and of those involved and engaged with it. This is particularly true today, with the rapid development of new technologies. The provisions of the Ministry of Culture and Sports law passed yesterday in Parliament introduce for the first time in the Greek legal system a comprehensive institutional framework for the prevention and combating of forgery and fraud in works of art and collectibles. Until now, illegal activity in the art world was dealt with under the general provisions on forgery and fraud in the Penal Code, with penalties only being imposed in cases involving financial transactions.

In particular, the new law introduces provisions for the prevention of crimes in the field of art—for the manufacture, forgery, exhibition, distribution, sale, or possession of manufactured or forged works. The provisions of the law broaden the scope of offences relating to works of art, without limiting them to certain categories of specific works, or distinguishing between works that are covered by copyright and those that are not. The work of art or collectible object is placed at the center of the protection system, since the work itself becomes the basis for the criminalization of forgery and fraud.

A work of art is not and cannot be equated with a simple commodity. It is a cultural asset intended for eternity, constituting a common good for all. Now, the offense is being expanded to include fraud regarding the origin, date, or condition of the work or collectible item, making it possible to punish the forgery of works of art without a recognized creator. In addition, the damage of works of art and collectibles located in public, municipal, and museum spaces is prevented and punished.

The new law increases the penalties provided for. The main penalty is aligned with those applicable to fraud under the Criminal Code – imprisonment from six months to five years and a fine of €5,000 to €120,000. The penalties are increased to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to €300,000 when the offenses are committed by an organized group or on a commercial scale, or when the perpetrator is a person who has used the facilities provided by the exercise of his professional activity to commit the offense, or when the damage caused exceeds €120,000.

In addition, there are plans to establish a Register of Sworn Experts, in which, following examinations, natural persons with the competence to verify the authenticity of works of art and collectibles, as well as the establishment of an Independent Department of Works of Art within the Ministry of Culture, which will contribute significantly to strengthening the protection of works of art.

At the same time, the provisions of the new law ensure the protection and sustainable operation of historically significant cinemas through the establishment of a special register at the Ministry of Culture, which includes cinemas that are already classified as monuments, as well as properties that house cinemas and for which cinema use has been specified or designated as preservable, in accordance with current legislation. Cinemas included in the Register will be provided with financial incentives and special care will be taken to protect existing employees.