Greece opens 10,000-euro relocation grant for ten regional units

Relocation grant opens in ten regional units

The application platform for the expanded Demographic Development Programme opened on 14 October, at midday according to one report. Under the scheme, people who settle permanently in frontier and regional Greece receive 10,000 euros. Social Cohesion and Family Minister Domna Michailidou announced the expansion in an interview with ERT. The programme now reaches ten regional units beyond Evros, where it was piloted: Drama, Florina, Kilkis, Serres, Pella, Kastoria, Kozani, Grevena, Ioannina and Thesprotia.

Michailidou said the state advances half of the money. The first 5,000 euros are paid once the application is approved, and the second payment follows after one year of proven permanent residence.

We are giving 10,000 euros to citizens who choose to settle in frontier Greece, and the first 5,000 euros are paid in advance upon approval of the application.

Eligibility and cities

Beneficiaries must own or rent a home in the area and keep their permanent residence there for five years. If they do not, the minister said the money can be reclaimed. The conditions were loosened using lessons from the Evros pilot. Applicants no longer have to prove that they work in the place where they settle.

We no longer require that someone prove they work in the place of settlement. It is enough to own or rent a home there.

The minister also said relocation is now possible to towns and cities, not only to small villages near the border. Families could settle in prefectural capitals, where health services, schools and sports facilities are more available for children. Up to 1,000 relocations are foreseen at the start.

School meals and child welfare

Michailidou also described the school meals programme, which began distributing meals for the new school year in about 2,000 primary schools across 160 municipalities. Capacity is up to 250,000 meals a day. According to the ministry, compared with last year the programme added more than 18,000 meals and 64 more school units. In 2019 it covered 23.6% of primary schools and 25.6% of pupils, while it now reaches about 47% of primary schools and nearly one pupil in two. In every participating school all children receive a meal, with no income test. Municipalities are chosen on social and economic criteria such as income and unemployment, in cooperation with local government.

On child protection, Michailidou said the number of children housed in institutions fell from 2,200 in 2019 to 960 by the time of the interview on 14 October. She also pre-announced a programme called My Home 3 and spoke of plans to build social housing.