Eight new support measures against the energy crisis were announced by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, aimed at strengthening pensioners, farmers, tenants and families. The announcements came after ELSTAT’s presentation of the primary surplus, which exceeded initial expectations, reaching 4.9%. According to the new support package, diesel subsidies are extended by 20 cents for May, emergency assistance of €150 per child is provided to families with children, low pensioners’ support increases to €300 net, and income limits are raised so that one annual rent payment is returned to more people.
Read: Exceeded expectations: Primary surplus 4.9% – New €500 million measures coming
“Today I announce a package of relief measures addressed to the entire population, as a dividend of progress that the State returns to society. This surplus resulted from prudent economic policy that limits unnecessary state spending and combats tax evasion, enhances growth while supporting income, reduces taxes and public debt. Moreover, a surplus larger than we calculated – something extremely rare even among the strongest economies. This is why our targeted interventions address the many, without ever questioning fiscal balance. They thus raise another ‘barrier’ against the current crisis, mainly for families with children, pensioners, tenants, farmers, businesses, and millions of citizens with overdue debts,” the Prime Minister emphasized in his recorded message about the measures.
Support package: Amounts and beneficiary groups
The following will apply in the coming period:
– Diesel subsidies at the network are extended by 20 cents for May. A measure that obviously relieves businesses and consumers.
– Fertilizer subsidies continue until August at 15% of purchase invoice value. A measure potentially affecting 250,000 farmers and legal entities operating in the primary sector.
– Emergency assistance is provided to families with children, amounting to €150 per child. This will be given without any application in late June and will address nearly 1 million households with over 3 million members – nearly 80% of families with children.
– Support for low pensioners, uninsured elderly and disabled persons increases to €300 net, paid every November on a permanent annual basis. The scope expands to cover 1.9 million beneficiaries – 85% of pensioners over 65.
– Income limits are raised so that one annual rent payment is returned to more people. This relieves an additional 70,000 households and supports over 1 million tenants total – 86% of all renters.
The surplus dividend announced today targets 5 main groups most affected by price increases:
• Families with children
• Tenants
• Pensioners
• Farmers
• Over-indebted borrowers with old debts
Together with income tax reductions and minimum wage increases that have already significantly boosted disposable incomes since early this year, the new support package offers targeted help to:
• 1.87 million pensioners and disabled persons (additional 420,000)
• Over 1 million tenants (additional 70,000)
• 3.3 million parents and children (or 975,000 families)
• 1.3 million micro-debtors with overdue debts
• 284,000 businesses and freelancers with overdue obligations
• 250,000 professional farmers
• All diesel vehicle owners
In categories with expanded criteria: The new measures now cover 85% of pensioners over 65, 86% of tenants, and 80% of families with dependent children.
Support measures: Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ statement
Statement by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the new economic support package
“The National Statistical Authority just announced the final fiscal data for 2025 and these are very encouraging. At the same time, however, I know well that difficult international conditions increase the daily burden of already elevated living costs for our households.
For this reason, I insist that every collective success should gradually translate into individual prosperity.
Indeed, the national economy is resilient and performing better than expected. However, supermarket anxiety, children’s expenses, more expensive fuel and elderly care remain concerns throughout Europe and in our homeland.
This is why today I announce a package of relief measures addressed to the entire population, as a dividend of progress that the State returns to society.
This surplus resulted from prudent economic policy that limits unnecessary state spending and combats tax evasion, enhances growth while supporting income, and reduces both taxes and public debt.
Moreover, a surplus larger than we calculated – something extremely rare even among the strongest economies.
This is why our targeted interventions address the many, without ever questioning fiscal balance. They thus raise another ‘barrier’ against the current crisis, mainly for families with children, pensioners, tenants, farmers, businesses, and millions of citizens with overdue debts.
Specifically, the following will apply in the coming period:
– Diesel subsidies at the network are extended by 20 cents for May. A measure that obviously relieves businesses and consumers.
– Fertilizer subsidies continue until August at 15% of purchase invoice value. A measure potentially affecting 250,000 farmers and legal entities in the primary sector.
– Emergency assistance is provided to families with children, amounting to €150 per child. This will be given without application in late June, addressing nearly 1 million households with over 3 million members – nearly 80% of families with children.
– Support for low pensioners, uninsured elderly and disabled persons increases to €300 net, paid every November permanently and annually. The scope expands to 1.9 million beneficiaries – 85% of pensioners over 65.
– Income limits are raised so one annual rent payment is returned to more people. This relieves an additional 70,000 households and supports over 1 million total tenants – 86% of all renters.
Let me highlight separately our bold private debt initiatives. These decisions help millions of debtors while liberating economic activity:
First, bank account seizures can now be lifted if 25% of debt is paid and remaining tax obligations are settled.
Second, debts from €5,000 to €10,000 can now enter the out-of-court mechanism, serving approximately 300,000 interested parties.
Third and most importantly, debts that became overdue through December 2023 can now be settled in 72 installments, requiring only payment or settlement of any new overdue amounts after 2023.
These details will be analyzed shortly by the economic team. Their cost is approximately half a billion euros. They add to current Budget measures and the major tax reform already being implemented, plus minimum wage increases and 2026 salary upgrades, and the €300 million already allocated to defend against Iran conflict consequences.
I know many will claim these measures are insufficient. Indeed, no state, however strong, can single-handedly address the consequences of a global economic crisis. However, this is the best we can do without disrupting the economic balance we worked so hard to achieve.
It is the share of security and prosperity that Greece gains within an international environment of insecurity and shares with its society.
But it is also a message of hope that the efforts of Greek men and women bring results and that, despite difficulties, we can remain optimistic.”
