Özgür Ferhat calls for heating allowance to be doubled

Rhodope MP Özgür Ferhat has called on the Greek government to significantly increase the heating allowance for the 2026–2027 winter season, arguing that rising fuel and energy prices have made the current support insufficient for households.

Özgür Ferhat, a Member of Parliament for Rhodope (Rodopi), has urged the Greek government to substantially increase the heating allowance for the upcoming winter, even calling for the benefit to be doubled in response to rising household energy costs.

Ferhat raised the issue in a parliamentary question submitted to the Minister of National Economy and Finance, highlighting the growing cost-of-living pressures facing households in Greece and the increasing burden of heating expenses.

He argued that international developments, geopolitical crises and wars have contributed to significant volatility in energy markets, while Greece's high taxes have further increased the final prices paid by consumers.

According to Ferhat, the existing heating allowance no longer adequately reflects the actual cost of keeping homes warm.

Concerns over heating oil prices
Ferhat pointed to the particularly high cost of heating oil, noting that prices approached €2 per litre during the previous period.

He said prices could stand at around €1.80 per litre at the beginning of the new heating season, creating a significant financial burden for an average household.

The Rhodope MP called for state support to be reassessed in line with current fuel prices rather than remaining at existing levels.

Pellet and firewood users also facing higher costs
Ferhat stressed that rising heating costs are not limited to heating oil.

The prices of pellets and firewood have also increased significantly, he said, forcing households using alternative heating sources to spend more to secure sufficient fuel for the winter.

He particularly highlighted the impact on residents of areas where winter conditions are more severe, arguing that these households face a disproportionate burden from rising heating costs.

Call for support to reflect current prices
Ferhat also referred to Greece's Social Climate Fund plan, under which an additional heating allowance of up to €100 per year is expected to be provided from 2027 to approximately 780,000 eligible recipients.

However, he argued that current economic conditions require a considerably stronger response and that the government should not rely solely on a limited future increase.

“Keeping state support at the same level while heating prices rise significantly is unacceptable,” Ferhat said. “State support should be determined according to citizens' actual costs and current prices.”

Ferhat demands a substantial increase
In his parliamentary question, Ferhat asked whether the government would increase the heating allowance for the 2026–2027 winter season based on current and expected fuel prices.

He called for the allowance to be increased substantially and potentially doubled, while also seeking clarification on whether households using pellets and firewood would receive adequate support.

“Heating is not a luxury; it is a basic need,” Ferhat said. “Citizens should not be forced to choose between heating their homes and meeting their basic needs.”