Greece sets September 1 deadline for wildfire aid applications

The Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection said municipalities and regional authorities must process and forward applications within ten days to ensure payments begin on time. Inspections of damaged homes have already been completed in Achaia, Preveza, Arta, and Zakynthos, while assessments in all other fire-stricken areas will be finalized by August 25.

Application process

Residents must submit their applications through local municipalities, including the inspection report and required tax documents. Starting September 1, municipalities are obliged to forward the completed files to the ministry for verification and payment.

Support measures

The government has introduced a range of relief measures:

Immediate financial aid for households

Housing assistance for damaged residences

Subsidies covering up to 70% of business losses

Three-year property tax exemption for severely damaged buildings

Emergency funding for municipalities to repair infrastructure

Compensation is based on the severity of damage:

€2,000 for lightly damaged homes (“green”)

€4,000 for moderate damage (“yellow”)

€6,000 for severe damage (“red”)

An additional €600 emergency allowance for affected households

Families whose homes have been deemed uninhabitable may also apply for monthly rent subsidies of €300 to €500, depending on household size.

By the end of September, a Joint Ministerial Decision will officially designate the affected areas. Once in place, property owners will be able to apply for repairs or reconstruction, with the state covering up to 70% of the costs.