Life event61 benefits
Unemployment benefits after losing your job in Greece
The benefits that may apply to you in this situation. Each page explains amounts, eligibility and how to apply, with a link to the official source.
myepidoma is not a government body. Whether you are entitled to a benefit is always decided by the competent body, after you apply.
Most searched
The benefits people in Greece search for most on Google, with the Greek words they use.
- Regular Unemployment BenefitSearched in Greek as «επίδομα ανεργίας»
- DYPA Training VouchersSearched in Greek as «voucher ΔΥΠΑ»
- Long-term Unemployment BenefitSearched in Greek as «επίδομα μακροχρόνια ανέργων»
- DYPA Special Seasonal Allowance 2026Searched in Greek as «εποχικό επίδομα»
- DYPA One-Off €300 Payment for Very Long-Term Unemployed (5+ years)Searched in Greek as «επίδομα μακροχρόνια ανέργων 300 ευρώ»
- Christmas and Easter bonus for regular unemployment-benefit recipients (DYPA)Searched in Greek as «δώρο Χριστουγέννων ανέργων»
Which of these could you get?
Answer a few questions and see which benefits you may be entitled to. The check is free.
All benefits
Active benefits(24)
Independent – Strong – Free: direct job placement for women victims of gender-based/domestic violence (DYPA)
DYPA gives women victims of gender-based and domestic violence the chance to start work straight away at a partner business, without having to be registered as unemployed.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ — Ειδικές κοινωνικές ομάδες
Work Experience Program
Net pay of €704 a month for 6 months of work experience in private businesses, for registered unemployed people aged 30 and over.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ — Ανοικτό πρόγραμμα εργασιακής εμπειρίας 30+
Self-Employed Unemployment Aid
Benefit of €565/month for self-employed or independently employed people insured with e-EFKA who have stopped their activity and meet the insurance conditions.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ — Παροχές Ασφάλισης Ελεύθερων Επαγγελματιών
DYPA Book Vouchers (annual book-purchase discount cards)
Private-sector employee with DYPA unemployment insurance, or registered as unemployed for 3+ months, and indirectly insured family members (spouse, children aged 5+); income limits €16,000/€24,000/€29,000 (+€5,000 per child).
Body: ΔΥΠΑApplications closed
DYPA Training Vouchers
Training and certification programmes with an allowance; eligible groups, hours, amount and deadline are set by each call.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ — Προγράμματα Κατάρτισης για το Ταμείο Ανάκαμψης
Free and Reduced Public Transport Fares: OASA (Athens) and OSETH (Thessaloniki)
Free or reduced fares on Athens buses, trolleys, metro, electric railway and tram (OASA) and on OASTH buses and the Thessaloniki Metro (OSETH) for the unemployed, people with a disability of 67% or more, conscripts and uniformed staff, children and young people up to 18, people over 65, students of public institutions and large families, with a personalised card.
Body: ΟΑΣΑ Α.Ε. (ΟΣΥ Α.Ε., ΣΤΑΣΥ Α.Ε.) · ΟΣΕΘ Α.Ε. (λεωφορεία ΟΑΣΘ και Μετρό Θεσσαλονίκης)
Christmas and Easter bonus for regular unemployment-benefit recipients (DYPA)
You receive the regular DYPA unemployment benefit.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ
DYPA special employment programmes for unemployed former LARKO employees
Full-time jobs in municipalities, regions, hospitals, health centres and other public bodies for former LARKO employees who were dismissed and are registered as unemployed with DYPA. DYPA pays gross wages of EUR 1,250 a month, for up to 7 years (over 55) or for 12 + 12 months and a further 24 months (up to 54).
Body: ΔΥΠΑ
DYPA Special Lump-Sum Allowance for Vulnerable Groups
Registration in one of the 5 separate DYPA Digital Registers (released prisoners, victims of violence/human trafficking, people recovered from addiction, women victims of gender-based/domestic violence, single parents) with an active unemployment card. Insurance with DYPA within the 24 months before the application, with no more than 75 days of insurance. Income limits under art. 19 of Law 4921/2022. You must not already receive another DYPA allowance/benefit.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ
DYPA Special Seasonal Allowance 2026
One-off payment for people insured with e-EFKA who work in Greece in specific seasonal trades. Applications 10/09–30/11/2026.
Body: gov.gr / ΔΥΠΑ — Ειδικό Εποχικό Βοήθημα 2026
DYPA hiring subsidy for unemployed people in the lignite phase-out Just Transition areas (W. Macedonia, Megalopoli, small islands)
DYPA subsidises, for 12 months, private businesses that hire registered unemployed residents of Western Macedonia, Megalopoli and neighbouring municipalities, and small islands. The business applies; the unemployed person is put forward by a DYPA job counsellor.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ
DYPA special programme hiring 1,500 unemployed people aged 57+ in the public health sector
18-month full-time jobs in Ministry of Health bodies and public hospitals for registered unemployed people aged 57-74 who completed an earlier 55+ programme in health, so they can complete the insurance years needed for a pension.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ
One-off aid for unemployed seafarers at Easter and Christmas (Seamen's Home)
One-off aid of €400 for Christmas 2026 (and €350 for Easter) for unemployed seafarers with more than 5 years of sea service, registered with the Seafarers' Employment Office (ΓΕΝΕ). Documents to the Seamen's Home or the Port Authorities by 18 December 2026.
Body: Υπουργείο Ναυτιλίας και Νησιωτικής Πολιτικής — Οίκος Ναύτου (ΚΥΑ 2242.10-3/17831/2026, ΦΕΚ Β' 1500/2026)
Form U2 – Exporting Unemployment Benefit to Another EU Country
Recipients of the DYPA regular unemployment benefit who want to look for work in another EU/EEA country while keeping the benefit for up to 3 months
Body: ΔΥΠΑ
DYPA Employer Insolvency Wage Guarantee Benefit
Employee of a business that was declared bankrupt, placed in (insurance) liquidation, or closed permanently due to insufficient assets, with unpaid wages within the critical 6-month period. Application within 6 months of the publication of the decision.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ
DYPA "Availability Status" (Furlough) Top-Up Allowance
Employee whose employer has placed them on availability status (reduced or zero work while the employment relationship continues). Apply within 60 days of the start of availability status.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ
DYPA Work Benefit — Extension of Unemployment Benefit on Re-employment
You were hired in full-time paid employment before your unemployment benefit ended.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ
Long-term Unemployment Benefit
EUR 200/month for up to 12 months after exhausting a 12-month regular benefit; apply within 2 months of its end.
Body: Εθνικό Μητρώο Διοικητικών Διαδικασιών — Επίδομα Μακροχρονίως Ανέργων
DYPA One-Off €300 Payment for Very Long-Term Unemployed (5+ years)
Continuous registered unemployment in the DYPA register for over 5 years, with a Digital Individual Action Plan after completing the 5 years; the income limits of the heating allowance (currently €16,000/€24,000/€29,000 +€5,000/child); not receiving any other DYPA allowance/benefit.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ
DYPA pilot work-experience programme for 250 unemployed people in Thessaly's livestock sector
A six-month placement of registered unemployed people in Thessaly with livestock businesses, with €748 net a month from DYPA and e-EFKA insurance. Only for those who completed the «Biosecurity Principles» training of the Larissa DYPA lifelong-learning centre with ELGO-DIMITRA.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ
DYPA hiring subsidy for 2,000 unemployed people aged 18+ in the East Macedonia and Thrace region
DYPA subsidises, for 12 months, private businesses in East Macedonia and Thrace that hire registered unemployed people aged 18+ from the region. The unemployed person does not apply; a DYPA job counsellor puts them forward.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ
Regular Unemployment Benefit
Regular monthly benefit for employees whose contract ended or was terminated, provided they have the required days of insurance.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ — Ανεργία και Παροχές Ασφάλισης Μισθωτών
EURES – Your First EURES Job / Reactivate / Targeted Mobility Scheme
Unemployed people or workers aged 18-35 (Your First EURES Job) or 35+ (Reactivate) who want to work in another EU/EEA country
Body: ΔΥΠΑ
City of Athens Job Center — Free Career Counselling and Job Matching for Vulnerable Groups
Free personalised employment counselling, links with employers, legal and accounting advice and support with training for residents or δημότες (registered citizens) of Athens from vulnerable groups who are looking for work. Service by referral and appointment (Liosion 22, tel. 2132083640).
Body: Δήμος Αθηναίων — Job Center
Upcoming(5)
Not open for applications yet.
Special Unemployment Allowance for Slaughterhouse/Abattoir Workers
Slaughterhouse worker (skinner-butcher, offal cleaner, gut worker) in an abattoir, with 100-240 days of insurance in the sector in the previous year. Applications every year 1 March - 31 May.
Body: ΔΥΠΑUpcoming
Special Supplementary Unemployment Benefit for Port & Land Cargo Handlers
Permanent/auxiliary port-and-land cargo handler, customs tally clerk or customs porter, registered in the National Register of Cargo Handlers, with at least 100 notional (credited) days of insurance in the sector in the previous year. Applications every year 1 March - 31 May.
Body: ΔΥΠΑUpcoming
Special employment programme for 200 unemployed people in the Social Welfare Centres
200 full-time jobs for 12 months in the Social Welfare Centres, for people registered as unemployed with DYPA. Not open yet: DYPA will publish a public call.
Body: ΚΥΑ 24223/2026 (ΦΕΚ Β΄ 5566/14.09.2026) — ΔΥΠΑ, Υπουργείο Κοινωνικής Συνοχής και ΟικογένειαςUpcoming
DYPA pilot work-experience programme in livestock farming for 250 unemployed people (Eastern Macedonia and Thrace)
Unemployed people over 18, registered with DYPA in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, who have completed the 50-hour biosecurity training for livestock farms, are placed for 6 months with livestock businesses and paid €34 a day. The local DYPA office (KPA2) refers them; they do not apply themselves.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ — Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικής ΑσφάλισηςUpcoming
Pre-employment work experience for unemployed young people aged 18–30 in the Just Transition areas (Western Macedonia, Megalopoli, small islands)
A 7-month full-time work placement paid at the minimum wage, for 3,000 unemployed people aged 18–30 who live in Western Macedonia, Megalopoli or small islands with fewer than 3,100 residents. Not open yet: DYPA's call is expected.
Body: Υπουργείο Εθνικής Οικονομίας και Οικονομικών — απόφαση ένταξης (ΑΔΑ Ψ3ΥΥΗ-6ΗΟ), πρόγραμμα «Δίκαιη Αναπτυξιακή Μετάβαση 2021-2027»· υλοποίηση ΔΥΠΑUpcoming
Under review(11)
This information has not been checked by us yet — please confirm it at the official source.
DYPA-Owned Infant & Toddler Care Centres (28 state-run facilities, free)
Child aged from 6 months to preschool age; parent employed with DYPA unemployment insurance, or registered as unemployed for 3+ months, or receiving the allowance for self-employed persons. 28 centres, 2026-27 round.
Body: ΔΥΠΑUnder review
"Bridge" - full insurance-contribution coverage for long-term unemployed nearing pension eligibility
Long-term unemployed people close to qualifying for a pension who choose voluntary continuation of insurance
Body: ΔΥΠΑUnder review
DYPA wage-subsidy programme for hiring unemployed people aged 50+
Unemployed people aged 50+ registered on the DYPA unemployment register, hired by private businesses
Body: ΔΥΠΑUnder review
DYPA wage-subsidy programme for hiring unemployed people with disabilities
Unemployed people with disabilities registered on the DYPA unemployment register with a valid unemployment card, hired by employers that join the programme (in the latest round: local authorities).
Body: ΔΥΠΑUnder review
EPANODOS – Social & Employment Reintegration Support for Ex-Prisoners
People released or about to be released from prison
Under review
European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF)
Workers who have been dismissed or are at risk of dismissal because of the restructuring/closure of a specific company, provided the EU approves a related application by the member state
Body: Υπ. ΕργασίαςUnder review
Seafarers' Unemployment-Sickness Fund Benefit (KAAN)
Unemployed/sick seafarers insured with NAT (Seamen's Pension Fund)
Body: Οίκος Ναύτου (Υπουργείο Ναυτιλίας και Νησιωτικής Πολιτικής) — ΚΥΑ 2242.10-4.1/65813/2024 (ΦΕΚ Β' 5359/2024)Under review
DYPA Employment Programme for Unemployed 55+
Unemployed person aged 55+ registered in the DYPA Digital Register with a completed Digital Individual Action Plan. The subsidy goes to the employer (public-law legal entity/local authority/public sector), not directly to the citizen.
Body: ΔΥΠΑUnder review
DYPA private-sector follow-on hiring subsidy for unemployed 56+ who completed the 55-67 programme
Unemployed person aged 56+, registered with DYPA (Public Employment Service), who has completed at least the first 12 months of the 55-67 programme. The subsidy is paid to: a private business.
Body: ΔΥΠΑUnder review
DYPA programme subsidising businesses to hire unemployed women, with emphasis on mothers of minor children
Unemployed women on the DYPA register of unemployed people, with emphasis on mothers of minor children, hired by private businesses
Body: ΔΥΠΑUnder review
Aggregation of EU insurance/employment periods for the Greek regular unemployment benefit (PDU1/SED U002)
Mobile unemployed people within the EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK who have worked in another Member State and need their insurance periods to be counted towards entitlement to, or the amount of, the Greek regular unemployment benefit. Former self-employed persons insured with the former OAEE, ETAA or ETAP-MME funds are expressly excluded.
Body: ΔΥΠΑUnder review
Ended(21)
Rounds that have closed. Kept for reference; they no longer accept applications.
Special Purpose Compensation for Artists/Performing Arts Technicians
Musicians, actors, dancers, theatre/film technicians insured with the former ETAP-MME
Body: Υπ. ΕργασίαςEnded
Free ATH.ENA Card Fare for the Unemployed and People with Disability
Unemployed people registered with DYPA (valid unemployment card) or people with disabilities, within the OASA area (Attica), can get a free fare on their personalised ATH.ENA card via Taxisnet.
Ended
DYPA special employment programme for 1,000 unemployed university/TEI graduates aged 25-54
Full-time jobs at DYPA for 1,000 registered unemployed graduates aged 25-54, for 12 months (extendable by 12 months). Applications closed on 18/08/2026.
Body: ΔΥΠΑEnded
DYPA special employment programme for 10 unemployed residents of fire-hit Megara
DYPA placed 10 registered unemployed people who were permanent residents of the Municipality of Megara on 19.8.2024 in 12-month full-time jobs paying €1,200 gross a month. Applications were made online from 5 to 26 March 2026.
Body: ΔΥΠΑEnded
DYPA special public-sector employment programme for 150 former Elefsina Shipyards employees
Full-time 12-month public-sector jobs (extendable by 12 months) for unemployed former employees of Elefsina Shipyards who left after 1/3/2024. Applications closed on 12/01/2026.
Body: ΔΥΠΑEnded
DYPA One-off €250 Emergency Aid to the Long-Term Unemployed
You are unemployed · You do not receive unemployment benefit.
Body: ΔΥΠΑEnded
One-Off Emergency Financial Aid for Former Employees of LARKO / Hellenic Shipyards / Varvaresos SA (closed companies)
One-off emergency support from DYPA (€500 to €2,700) for unemployed former employees of Hellenic Shipyards, Varvaresos SA and LARKO. Applications have closed (last deadline 12.01.2025).
Body: ΔΥΠΑ — Ανεργία και παροχές ασφάλισης μισθωτών (έκτακτες οικονομικές ενισχύσεις)Ended
Christmas emergency cash aid for vulnerable groups, Municipality of Tinos
Every November–December the Municipality of Tinos pays emergency cash aid to registered citizens in need: unemployed people, families with a member with a 67%+ disability, large, three-child and single-parent families with low income. Applications go to the Community Centre; the Christmas 2026 cycle has not been announced yet.
Body: Δήμος Τήνου — Κοινωνική Πρόνοια, Κέντρο ΚοινότηταςEnded
DYPA theatre and cinema vouchers (Culture and Entertainment Programme)
DYPA gives electronic vouchers for free theatre and cinema tickets to employees, people insured with unemployment contributions and the unemployed, and to their spouse and children. Recipients are chosen by points; the last round was 2023-2024.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ — Δελτία ΘεάματοςEnded
DYPA employer subsidy for hiring 7,000 unemployed in the Scale Up-RRF pilot areas
DYPA subsidised for 4 months private businesses that hired, full time, registered unemployed people aged 18 or over living in the Kastoria, Achaia, Serres or Rhodes regional units or in Perama, Keratsini-Drapetsona and Salamina. Employer applications closed on 7/4/2026.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ — Πρόγραμμα επιχορήγησης επιχειρήσεων για την απασχόληση 7.000 ανέργων στις περιοχές Scale Up-ΤΑΑEnded
DYPA €14,800 start-up grant for unemployed new self-employed in the Scale Up-RRF pilot areas
A €14,800 grant in three instalments for registered unemployed people aged 18-60 who set up a new business in the Kastoria, Achaia, Serres or Rhodes regional units or in Perama, Keratsini-Drapetsona and Salamina. A Recovery Fund pilot; the last application round closed on 17/11/2025.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ — Δράση Επιχορήγησης Επιχειρηματικών Πρωτοβουλιών (ΝΕΕ) σε επιλέξιμες περιοχές Scale Up-ΤΑΑEnded
DYPA integrated training-and-employment action for unemployed people aged 25-45 (Recovery Fund)
Registered unemployed people aged 25-45 pre-selected by a business took 80 hours of green or digital skills training with a €5/hour training allowance and were then hired for 6 months with a DYPA wage subsidy. The action ran from January 2024 to December 2025.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ — Ολοκληρωμένη δράση κατάρτισης και απασχόλησης ανέργων ηλικίας 25-45 ετώνEnded
DYPA integrated training-and-employment action for unemployed Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI, ΕΕΕ) beneficiaries
Unemployed recipients of the Minimum Guaranteed Income (including homeless recipients) took 80 hours of certified training with a €400 allowance and were hired for 12 months by a private business with the full cost subsidised. Applications closed on 15/4/2026.
Body: ΔΥΠΑ (Υπουργείο Κοινωνικής Συνοχής και Οικογένειας)Ended
DYPA integrated new-entrepreneurship programme for unemployed people aged 18-29 (emphasis on women, digital and green economy)
A €17,500 grant in three instalments for registered unemployed people aged 18-29 who are not in employment, education or training (NEETs), to start a new business. The 2026 round closed on 23-03-2026 (results 03-06-2026).
Body: ΔΥΠΑEnded
DYPA Pilot Regular Unemployment Benefit Programme (new degressive model)
The same core group as the regular unemployment benefit (dismissal/end of contract, unemployed, registered with DYPA, not having received the benefit in the last 4 years, at least 175 days of insurance in the 14 months before the end of employment, excluding the last 2). Participation is through random selection (RCT) in a sample of ~15,000 people; it is not the citizen's choice.
Body: ΔΥΠΑEnded
DYPA 'Proergasia' paid work-experience programme for unemployed young people aged 18-29
Seven months of work experience in a private business for registered unemployed people aged 18-29, with a monthly payment from DYPA equal to the minimum wage and full insurance. The last national cycle closed on 6/12/2024; DYPA opens new, and regional, cycles from time to time.
Body: ΔΥΠΑEnded
DYPA entrepreneurship grant for unemployed people aged 30-59, with emphasis on women
A €17,000 grant in three instalments for registered unemployed people aged 30-59 who started a new business. Applications closed on 22/1/2025; 10,055 beneficiaries were approved and payments continue.
Body: ΔΥΠΑEnded
DYPA hiring subsidy for 3,000 unemployed from vulnerable groups and 7,000 unemployed facing labour-market barriers
A subsidy for private employers hiring DYPA-registered unemployed people from vulnerable groups or facing labour-market barriers, in full-time jobs for 24 months. The programme has closed.
Body: ΔΥΠΑEnded
DYPA 'Scale Up' open-type training vouchers for unemployed people 18+ in Kastoria, Achaia, Serres, Rhodes, Perama, Keratsini-Drapetsona and Salamina
Pilot 80-hour training programme with a training voucher and certification for registered unemployed people over 18 in seven areas; those certified received a training allowance of €5 per hour. The programme ended in spring 2026.
Body: ΔΥΠΑEnded
Tourism Reskilling and Upskilling Training with Training Allowance (Action 16921)
Free 250-hour distance training and certification for tourism workers and unemployed people, with a training allowance of €5 per hour up to €1,250. The action ended in December 2025 with 18,090 beneficiaries; no new round has been announced.
Body: Υπουργείο Τουρισμού — Ταμείο Ανάκαμψης και Ανθεκτικότητας, Δράση 16921Ended
DYPA Recovery-Fund hiring subsidy for long-term unemployed aged 45+ in high-unemployment pocket areas
Subsidised full-time jobs in private businesses for registered long-term unemployed people aged 45 and over, with priority for high-unemployment areas. Businesses applied; applications closed on 28/3/2025.
Body: ΔΥΠΑEnded