Greece has introduced a new nationwide food assistance program aimed at vulnerable households, funded through the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF). The initiative provides support via prepaid cards or vouchers, which can be redeemed exclusively for food and essential items at participating retail outlets, including supermarkets and local stores.

The program, established by the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, replaces previous fragmented systems with a centralized platform. This shift allows recipients to decide what they need, when they need it, and where to purchase it, increasing autonomy and simplifying access to aid.

Under the new framework, assistance is applied retroactively to cover households during the transition period, ensuring that no eligible family misses out on support. Vouchers are reloaded as long as the household remains eligible and cannot be exchanged for cash, alcohol, tobacco, or gambling products.

Eligibility is linked to Greece’s Guaranteed Minimum Income program, with households automatically enrolled. Additional families experiencing extreme poverty may also qualify after certification by social services.