Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently announced a substantial 1 billion euro support package aimed at easing the financial burden on pensioners and renters. This package includes two key measures: a rent refund program for tenants and a yearly allowance for low-income pensioners. Here’s a breakdown of who qualifies for these benefits:

1. Rent Refund Program

This initiative is designed to alleviate the financial pressure on tenants, particularly as rent prices continue to rise in Greece. Under this program, eligible tenants will receive a refund of 1/12 of their annual rent every November, based on their tax return for the previous year.

Eligibility Criteria:

Income Criteria:

  • Singles: Annual income must be up to 20,000 euros.
  • Married couples or cohabiting partners: Combined income up to 28,000 euros, with an additional 4,000 euros per child.
  • Single-parent families: Annual income up to 31,000 euros, with an additional 5,000 euros for each child beyond the first.

Property Criteria:

  • For single-person households, total family assets (as calculated by the ENFIA tax assessment) must not exceed 120,000 euros.
  • The asset limit increases by 20,000 euros for each additional household member.

Refund Details:

  • Main Residence: The maximum refund is 800 euros per year, with an additional 50 euros for each dependent child.
  • Student Housing: The maximum refund is 800 euros per student. For households with two student properties, this amount can reach 1,600 euros.

Who Benefits? It is estimated that 948,000 households, or about 80% of renters in Greece, will benefit from this measure.

This rent refund will apply even to those who rent a property for less than a year, such as teachers or doctors who may only be renting for part of the year.

2. 250-Euro One-Time Allowance for Low-Income Pensioners

In addition to the rent refund, the government will also provide a one-time allowance of 250 euros to low-income pensioners and other vulnerable groups.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Pensioners: Individuals over 65 years old with an income up to 14,000 euros per year.

  • Property Limits:

    • Singles: Property assets up to 200,000 euros.

    • Married Couples: Property assets up to 300,000 euros.

  • Additional Beneficiaries:

    • The allowance will also apply to uninsured elderly individuals and people with disabilities who meet the above criteria. If both members of a married couple are eligible, both will receive the allowance.

This benefit will be paid annually in November and will cost the state 360 million euros each year. It is expected to reach 1.44 million citizens, including pensioners, uninsured seniors, and people with disabilities.