Relocation programme: 3,300 applications and local committee checks
The ministry reports committees in Evros municipalities, Amyntaio and Nestorio. Applications remain distinct from approvals and payments.
Updated 30.10.2026 · 14:07, Athens time — What changed
Applications to Greece’s relocation programme have reached 3,300, according to the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family’s 30 October 2026 account of Minister Domna Michailidou’s interview. This is the ministry’s reported application count, not an equivalent number of approvals or payments.
The same update says local review committees are operating in municipalities in Evros, Amyntaio and Nestorio. The minister calls on the remaining municipal authorities to establish theirs; it does not follow that committees are active across every eligible area.
The ministry checks documentation and municipalities carry out required on-site checks, allowing approvals and payments to follow. Today’s update adds procedural progress and does not automatically change the programme’s amounts or terms retained in the history.
Previous updates — history
Update 14.10.2026 · 20:08 Athens time — What changed
The Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family announced the “Regions of Opportunity” initiative with TP Greece, initially in Evros. Employees relocating there can continue working remotely; additional company support is being considered.
Up to 10 new jobs are envisaged, depending on business needs and recruitment criteria. No job descriptions, deadline or application call are published. The partnership does not guarantee employment or automatically change the state grant’s conditions.
Updated 14.10.2026 · 12:07 Athens time — What changed
On 14 October 2026, Greece’s Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family announced that the platform for the expanded Demographic Development Programme would open at 12:00 that day. This adds a specific time to the earlier announcement. The ministry’s statement does not by itself verify that the electronic application service has already been activated for every newly included area.
Minister Domna Michailidou also clarified that recipients must remain permanently in the area for five years to retain the grant. Applicants should check the official process and the conditions applicable to their household before applying.
Previous update — 13 October 2026, 14:58
On 13 October, Greece’s Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family announced that the Joint Ministerial Decision expanding the Relocation Programme had been signed and linked to the relevant Government Gazette publication. The main conditions from that earlier update are set out below.
€10,000 in two equal payments
The grant is €10,000 per household. The first €5,000 payment is made upon final approval, while the rules allow it to be advanced to cover moving costs. The second €5,000 payment is made after one year of documented permanent residence in the area.
The home may be owned or rented, or provided by a relative up to the second degree. The ministry also says proof of employment in the new place of residence is not required.
Areas covered by the expansion
The programme expands to the regional units of Drama, Florina, Kilkis, Serres, Pella, Kastoria, Kozani, Grevena, Ioannina and Thesprotia. The municipalities of Soufli, Didymoteicho and Orestiada in Evros remain covered.
Additional eligible groups
The expanded scheme covers Greek citizens who lived in another EU member state before relocating. It also provides eligibility for people graduating after 1 January 2025 from higher-education institutions based in the ten regional units and remaining there permanently.
Cap of 1,000 households and a 2028 end date
Applications will be accepted until 1,000 households have joined and in any event no later than 31 December 2028. Interested people should follow the electronic process on gov.gr once it is activated and check the documents required for their own circumstances.
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