Greece’s 2026–2027 Social Tourism Program is set to begin earlier than in previous years, introducing expanded benefits and revised eligibility criteria aimed at strengthening domestic travel and supporting vulnerable households.
The program, run by the Public Employment Service (DYPA), will open for applications shortly after Easter, with the official start date moved forward to May 1 instead of June 1. A total of 300,000 vouchers will be made available under a budget of €50 million.
Earlier Start, Longer Season
For the first time, the scheme will launch in early May. The change is designed to ease pressure on accommodation providers during peak summer months and give beneficiaries the opportunity to travel during the spring holiday period at lower cost.
Expanded Support for Families
Large families will now receive the same high-priority status as people with disabilities, benefiting from increased scoring in the selection process. The aim is to ensure meaningful access to holidays regardless of income level.
Foster mothers are also fully included in the program for the first time. In addition to receiving tourism vouchers, they are now treated equally with biological, adoptive and surrogate mothers across all supplementary maternity protection benefits offered by DYPA.
The updated maternity framework now covers:
- Biological mothers
- Adoptive mothers
- Mothers through surrogacy
- Foster mothers
Free Nights and Regional Incentives
Each voucher corresponds to a unique number assigned to every eligible beneficiary and dependent. Participants can book up to six nights in accommodation providers registered with DYPA, with a small private contribution.
In selected islands in the eastern Aegean, beneficiaries can enjoy up to 10 free nights with no private contribution. In certain mainland areas and in the region of Thessaly (excluding the Sporades islands), the program offers up to 12 free nights.
Subsidy rates increase by 20% during the peak month of August, as well as during Christmas and Easter holiday periods. Higher subsidy levels apply year-round in specific regions covered by the extended support measures.
Who Is Eligible
The program is open to employees and unemployed individuals who meet at least one of the following criteria:
- 50 days of insured employment
- 50 days of special maternity leave benefits
- At least two months of unemployment benefits (50 daily allowances)
- A combination totaling 50 days from the above categories
- Registered unemployed persons with disabilities listed in the relevant special registry at the application deadline
