Are yo long-term unemployed?

Long-term unemployed individuals close to retirement will have their insurance contributions fully covered by the Public Employment Service (DYPA), allowing them to qualify for an old-age pension through voluntary continuation of coverage.

The measure, introduced under Law 2874/2000 and recently amended by Law 5239/2025, enables eligible unemployed individuals to maintain their insurance status without any financial burden. The aim is to help those who are near retirement age but lack the required contributions to secure pension rights.

According to DYPA officials, the initiative targets people who have been out of the labor market for extended periods and are close to meeting retirement criteria. Participation is voluntary and applies strictly to the completion of pension eligibility requirements.

DYPA Governor Yianna Hormova said long-term unemployment, particularly toward the end of a person’s working life, must not become an insurmountable barrier to retirement.

“We are ensuring that thousands of citizens who have contributed to the economy for decades will not reach a dead end due to prolonged absence from the labor market,” she told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.

The program is expected to provide critical support to unemployed individuals during the final stage of their professional lives.