Greece raises heating allowance 30% as Crete-Cyprus cable and seismic bids advance

Heating allowance up 30%

In his weekly review published on Sunday, 15 November 2026, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said this year's heating allowance is 30% higher than in 2025 and will reach about 1.2 million households. The maximum payment now stands at 1,560 euros, up from 350 euros in 2019. For a couple with two children, the income limit has risen from 24,000 euros to 34,000 euros. The allowance covers all heating methods, and the amount grows the colder a given area is. A subsidy at the pump is already in force, and since Tuesday, 10 November 2026, the myΘέρμανση platform of the AADE public revenue authority has been in use. Applications can be filed on aade.gr with TAXISNET codes until 4 December 2026, with the first payment due by 23 December 2026. He urged eligible households to file early:

“Those of you who are entitled should not leave the application until the last moment.”

2019350

20261,560

2019

350 euros

2026

1560 euros

Data from the article text

Crete-Cyprus cable advances

Mitsotakis said the Great Sea Interconnector linking Crete and Cyprus is moving ahead. Greek authorities issued a permit to carry out survey and cable-laying work, together with a Navtex notice, on Friday, 13 November 2026. On Saturday, 14 November 2026, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis briefed the political leaders on the matter. Mitsotakis said the project is going ahead without setbacks and without concessions on sovereign rights:

“As I told you, the project is moving ahead. Without turbulence and without concessions on our sovereign rights.”

Seismic bids and energy

The tender for seismic surveys in marine areas of western and southern Greece closed with bids on Monday, 9 November 2026. Three international companies, which he described as having recognised standing and long experience in the field, submitted offers. An EDEYEP committee will assess the bids and send its recommendation to the Ministry of Environment and Energy. Mitsotakis called the participation a vote of confidence in the country's prospects. He said the new data would give a fuller picture of the potential of Greece's seas and boost investor interest.

Exports and tax changes

Greek exports reached almost 41.86 billion euros in the first nine months of 2026, up 15.9% year on year, which he called a record. Excluding petroleum products, exports rose 7.8%. Tax returns for 2024 recorded almost 10 billion euros more income than the year before, with more than half of the rise coming from wages and pensions. He also cited a comparison showing real GDP per capita up 15.8% since 2019. From 1 January, VAT on period products and incontinence pads falls from 24% to 13% under the tax relief bill now passed. He acknowledged the strain on household budgets:

“The figures show our economy is growing, but I know that at the end of the month everyone does their own accounts.”

He added that the government still has work to do on household budgets.