Greece is set to extend the application deadline for its 2026–2027 social tourism program after widespread technical problems disrupted access to the online platform, leaving thousands of eligible applicants unable to submit their forms.

The program, administered by the country’s public employment service, was originally scheduled to close on April 29. However, officials announced a new deadline, as applications will remain open until the May 3.

Platform issues trigger delays

The decision follows what has been described as an unprecedented surge in traffic, causing severe system slowdowns and repeated access failures. The disruption began over the weekend and has affected hundreds of thousands of users attempting to apply for tourism vouchers.

Despite a previous extension, many applicants have continued to face difficulties navigating or completing the process, raising concerns that a significant number could miss out due to technical limitations rather than eligibility.

Authorities are also examining whether the launch date of the program—currently set for May 18—may need to be slightly postponed if the application period is extended.