Greece Expands Housing, Family and Food Assistance

by · Greek City Times

Greek Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Domna Michailidou has outlined a series of government measures addressing the rising cost of living, housing affordability and support for families, during an interview with MEGA News 104.6.

Michailidou acknowledged that rising living costs, from fuel and groceries to rents, continue to place significant pressure on households. She particularly highlighted the difficulties younger people face in securing affordable housing.

She encouraged citizens to visit the government’s stegasi.gov.gr platform, which presents 47 housing policy measures, and oikogeneia.gov.gr for information about family support programmes and benefits.

New Home Ownership Programme Expected in December

Michailidou said the government’s My Home 3 (Spiti Mou 3) programme is expected to launch in December, with expanded eligibility criteria designed to help more people purchase a home.

Read more: Greece Raises Childcare Vouchers 10% as Income Limits Climb

The revised programme will:

  • Increase the maximum eligible age to 55.
  • Raise the maximum property value to €300,000.
  • Increase the maximum loan amount to €230,000.
  • Expand the income eligibility thresholds.

The minister also announced a new home renovation programme offering grants of up to €36,000, with subsidy rates ranging from 70% to 95% and the possibility of receiving a 60% advance payment, subject to programme conditions.

€10,000 Incentive for Relocation to Northern Greece and Epirus

The government is also expanding its relocation programme to encourage permanent settlement in border regions of northern Greece and Epirus.

Eligible applicants who relocate permanently to participating areas can receive financial assistance of €10,000.

Michailidou said authorities had already received approximately 4,000 applications.

The programme covers the following regional units:

  • Evros
  • Drama
  • Kilkis
  • Serres
  • Pella
  • Florina
  • Kastoria
  • Kozani
  • Grevena
  • Ioannina
  • Thesprotia

The government has also extended eligibility to the administrative capitals of these regional units.

Michailidou explained that access to healthcare, education and everyday services played an important role in families’ decisions to relocate permanently.

Expanded Childcare Support for Families

The minister outlined changes to childcare assistance, including new eligibility arrangements for nursery and childcare vouchers.

From this year, families with three or more children qualify for childcare vouchers regardless of income. Families with one or two children face an annual income threshold of €37,000.

The government has also lowered the age at which children move from infant nurseries to regular childcare centres from two and a half years to two years, creating additional places for younger children.

For families unable to secure nursery places, the Nannies of the Neighbourhood (Nannies of the Neighbourhood – Ntantades tis Geitonias) programme offers an alternative childcare option.

According to Michailidou, the programme has approved more than 5,200 childcare providers and 8,700 family applications.

Market Pass to Replace Food Distribution Programme

Michailidou also presented the new food assistance system, known as the Market Pass, which will replace the former TEBA programme’s distribution of pre-packaged food parcels with vouchers for purchasing essential goods.

The scheme will support approximately 190,000 people receiving the Guaranteed Minimum Income.

Key provisions include:

  • Average monthly assistance of €60.
  • A first retroactive payment that could reach €1,000.
  • A target for the first payment to take place by Christmas.

The minister said the reform aimed to improve not only the delivery of assistance but also the dignity of beneficiaries.

Under the new system, families will no longer need to queue for predetermined food packages. Instead, they will choose their own products and participating shops, reducing the stigma associated with receiving food assistance.

Tighter Oversight of Child Protection Facilities

Michailidou also addressed the regulatory framework governing child protection facilities.

She stressed the importance of staffing requirements that ensure facilities employ qualified social workers and psychologists, alongside financial monitoring and accountability measures.

She said effective supervision, transparent management of organisations’ assets and financial accountability were essential safeguards for protecting children and ensuring that residential care facilities operate properly.

(Source: AMNA)

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