Greece expands relocation allowance up to €10,000 to six more regions

Following the pilot implementation in Evros, the program will now be extended to six additional Regional Units, according to statements made by Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Domna Michailidou, during an interview with ERT.

Six New Regional Units Included

The new phase of the program will cover the Regional Units of:

• Drama
• Kilkis
• Serres
• Florina
• Pella
• Kastoria (Kesriye)

Discussions are also underway to combine the relocation allowance with employment and labor-support programs run by DYPA (Public Employment Service).

Program Launch Expected in March

Minister Michailidou announced that the scheme is expected to be legislated and implemented in March, once all terms and participation criteria are finalized.

Referring to the pilot phase in Meriç, the minister noted that the program attracted strong interest, with approximately 700 applications submitted. However, several applications were rejected after it was determined that applicants did not meet the requirement of permanent relocation.

Who Is Eligible

Currently, the relocation allowance applies to individuals who permanently move to the municipalities of:

• Soufli (Sofulu)
• Didymoteicho (Dimetoka)
• Orestiada (Kumçiftliği)

in the Meriç Regional Unit.

Amount of Financial Support

The financial aid is structured as follows:

• €10,000 for relocation to settlements with up to 500 residents
• €6,000 for settlements with more than 500 residents
• An additional €1,000 per minor child is granted, with the total allowance capped at €10,000. Payments are administered by OPEKA.

Boosting Regional Revitalization

The initiative aims to serve as a key tool for revitalizing rural and border regions, providing financial incentives and new opportunities for families willing to relocate and settle permanently in Greece’s underpopulated areas.