€155 million allocated in 2025 to support entrepreneurship in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Greece recorded a record level of payments under its development laws in 2025, with a total of nearly €340 million disbursed nationwide, according to Minister of Development Takis Theodorikakos.

Presenting the ministry’s annual development report, Theodorikakos said that €337.8 million was allocated through grants and tax exemptions—the highest amount paid out since 2008. Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (EMT) emerged as the leading region, receiving €155.47 million for development projects, up from approximately €104 million the previous year.

For the first time, the largest share of development funding was directed to Greece’s regions. After EMT, Thessaly received €26.78 million, followed by Central Macedonia with €15.76 million, the Peloponnese with €15.0 million, and Crete with €11.91 million.

After a three-year pause, payments to evaluators and auditors were also released, a move expected to significantly improve the efficiency and speed of development procedures.

At the same time, evaluations of investment projects are being completed within the deadlines set by the new Development Law. New investment plans under the Manufacturing and Special Support Areas schemes are expected to be selected by January 31. The Ministry of Development is also preparing new support schemes for 2026, covering manufacturing, special support areas, modern technologies, social entrepreneurship and handicrafts, export-oriented activities, agri-food, and defense.

Payments for additional schemes—including Manufacturing A and B, Tourism A and B, Agri-food, and General Entrepreneurship 360—are set to begin in the new year.

“The completion of the largest payment cycle under the Development Laws since 2008 demonstrates our tangible support for entrepreneurship that invests, produces, and creates jobs,” Theodorikakos said in a statement. “For the first time, most of these resources are being directed to the regions, strengthening balanced development, social cohesion, and the productive economy across every part of the country.”