Greece to pay €400 annual allowance to eligible pensioners in late November
Greece is set to pay an increased annual allowance of €400 to eligible pensioners in the final days of November 2026, alongside December pension payments, according to a report by Thraki.com.gr. Labour and Social Security Minister Niki Kerameus has indicated that payments will be made automatically, without requiring beneficiaries to submit an application. The official payment dates are expected to be announced at a later stage.
Under the reported eligibility rules, most pensioners must have reached the age of 65 by December 31, 2025, to qualify for the payment in 2026. An exception applies to certain widowhood pension recipients aged 60 to 64 who receive only a survivor’s pension.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE €400 PAYMENT?
According to the report, the main eligible groups include:
Old-age pensioners: Those who reached the age of 65 by December 31, 2025, including eligible recipients receiving more than one pension.
People with disabilities: Eligible recipients regardless of age.
Uninsured elderly people: Those covered by the relevant support scheme.
Survivor’s pension recipients: People aged 60 and above who receive only a widowhood or survivor’s pension.
The report states that pensioners under 65 who do not fall into one of the specified exception categories will not qualify for the November 2026 payment.
INCOME AND PROPERTY LIMITS TO BE REMOVED
The annual allowance is reportedly increasing by €150 compared with the previous year, from €250 to €400.
The revised arrangement also removes the income and property thresholds previously applied to the benefit, meaning eligibility will no longer depend on the recipient’s income or real estate holdings, according to the report.
SOME PENSIONERS WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 2027
Pensioners who reach the required age during 2026 will not receive the allowance in November 2026 under the reported rules. Their first payment is instead expected in November 2027.
The precise payment schedule and the final implementation details remain subject to official announcements. Pensioners should consult Greece’s relevant social security authorities for confirmation of their individual eligibility.
