Thessaly Meriç Pass 2026 opens applications with 1,400 €250 cards for Meriç

The online application platform opened on Thursday, September 24, at 11:30 a.m. and will remain available until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026 through vouchers.gov.gr.

For Evros (Meriç), the programme provides a total of 1,400 digital debit cards worth €250 each. Seven hundred cards will be allocated during the first phase and another 700 during the second phase.

The scheme provides 8,900 cards in total, with public expenditure of €2.05 million.

Two destinations available in Evros
Participants applying for the Evros component can select either of two eligible destinations:

• Soufli
• Feres, within the Municipality of Dedeağaç (Alexandroupoli)

The €250 digital card can be used for eligible expenses related to accommodation, food and local transportation in the designated areas.

The initiative was designed to support tourism and local economic activity in areas affected by the 2023 wildfires in Evros (Meriç) and the floods in Thessaly.

Two application phases
The programme is divided into two periods:

Phase A: September–October 2026
Phase B: November–December 2026
For Meriç, 700 €250 cards are allocated to each phase. Cards issued for the first phase can be used until October 31, 2026, while cards issued for the second phase remain valid until December 31, 2026.

Applicants can select one or both phases when submitting their application. However, following the electronic draw, each successful applicant can ultimately receive a card for only one destination and one phase.

Who can apply?
The programme is open to individuals who are tax residents of Greece, based on their most recently assessed income tax return for the 2025 tax year.

Applicants and their beneficiaries must not have their primary residence in an eligible destination.

There are no income criteria for participation. However, certain applicants are excluded, including people who are beneficiaries of the Public Employment Service (DYPA) Social Tourism programmes for the relevant periods or who receive a similar benefit from another organisation for the same period.

Permanent residents of the eligible areas cannot use the card.

Applications are submitted using Taxisnet credentials. Applicants must confirm their mobile phone number and email address before selecting the destination, the phase or phases in which they wish to participate, and a declaration confirming that they meet the programme requirements.

Most other information is retrieved automatically through the Greek public administration’s interconnected information systems. Applications can also be submitted through Citizens Service Centres (KEP).

Successful applicants to be selected by electronic draw
Submitting an application does not guarantee that a card will be issued.

Final beneficiaries will be selected through an electronic lottery after the application period closes. The results will be published on the programme’s website, after which selected beneficiaries will be able to proceed with the issuance of their digital debit cards.

The €250 Evros Pass is not cash that can be withdrawn or transferred to another bank account. It can only be used for eligible transactions under the programme.

The Thessaly Evros Pass 2026 is a joint initiative of the relevant Greek ministries and is implemented by the National Infrastructures for Research and Technology (GRNET).

For Evros, the scheme covers Soufli and the Feres municipal unit of Dedeağaç (Alexandroupoli), with the aim of directing visitor spending toward local tourism and businesses in the affected areas.