Life event15 benefits
Grants for starting a business 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.
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(6)
e-EFKA reduced contribution category for new self-employed people (first 5 years of insurance)
Self-employed people with less than 5 years of insurance can choose the special category, paying €150.46 instead of the €250.77 of the 1st category (2026 amounts). The choice is made online at e-EFKA and lasts until the 5 years are completed.
Body: e-ΕΦΚΑ
Interest-rate subsidy on loans for land purchase by young farmers
Financial support in the form of a loan interest-rate subsidy for young farmers buying farmland. It is currently offered by the Region of Crete, with an online application to the regional unit's Directorate of Agricultural Economy.
Body: Περιφέρεια Κρήτης — Διευθύνσεις Αγροτικής Οικονομίας & Κτηνιατρικής (ΔΑΟΚ) των Π.Ε.
Reduced VAT Aegean Islands
A 30% reduction in VAT rates on the islands specified in article 26 of the VAT Code.
Body: ΑΑΔΕ — Ε.2113/2025 για τους μειωμένους συντελεστές ΦΠΑ στα νησιά
New self-employed: no minimum presumed income in the first 3 years and a reduced 4.5% tax rate
People who start a sole proprietorship or self-employed activity for the first time are taxed on their real income, without the minimum presumed income, for the first three years; in year 4 the presumed amount is cut by 2/3 and in year 5 by 1/3. With a first start from 2023, the first-bracket tax rate is halved for the first three years if business income does not exceed €10,000. Both apply in the income tax return.
Body: ΑΑΔΕ — ν. 5073/2023 (ΦΕΚ Α΄ 204/11.12.2023), άρθρα 15-19
TEPIX III Microfinance Fund (Microloans up to €25,000, No Collateral)
Microloans of €3,000–25,000 without collateral for very small businesses and self-employed people with at least 1 year of activity, with an emphasis on women's entrepreneurship.
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE)
EU exchange programme: new or aspiring entrepreneurs spend 1 to 6 months working with an experienced entrepreneur in another country and receive a monthly grant towards travel and living costs. You apply through a local contact point in Greece.
Body: Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή — Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs
Upcoming(1)
Not open for applications yet.
Young Farmers Support
One-off support of €30,000-€42,500 for young farmers setting up.
Body: Αγροτική Ανάπτυξη — Παρέμβαση Π3-75.1Upcoming
Under review(2)
This information has not been checked by us yet — please confirm it at the official source.
HDB Loan Guarantee Funds for Businesses and Self-Employed
Micro, small and medium-sized businesses, self-employed professionals and start-ups that want bank lending at a lower interest rate/with lower collateral through a state guarantee
Under review
LEADER/CLLD – Community-Led Local Development for Rural Residents
Residents of rural/mountain areas who want to set up or modernise a very small business (agritourism, processing, services) outside the strictly agricultural sector
Body: Υπ. Αγροτικής ΑνάπτυξηςUnder review
Ended(6)
Rounds that have closed. Kept for reference; they no longer accept applications.
«Ξεκινώ Επιχειρηματικά» (Start a Business): Self-Employment Grant for Higher-Education Graduates (ESPA)
An ESPA grant for university graduates (first degree after 1/1/2016) who set up a new small or micro business: EUR 13,000 (EUR 21,000 for a company) for 18 months of operation, and up to EUR 15,000 more for one new job. Applications for the 2026 round closed on 30/6/2026.
Body: Γενική Γραμματεία ΕΣΠΑ — Πρόγραμμα «Ανταγωνιστικότητα» 2021-2027Ended
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 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
Green Agritourism (Recovery Fund)
Subsidy up to 50% for SMEs and large agritourism enterprises via Recovery Fund. For businesses, not individuals.
Ended
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
Natural Disaster Recovery Microloans Fund (TEPIX III)
Microloans for businesses with a seat or branch in the Region of Thessaly; applications have closed because the budget ran out.
Body: Ελληνική Αναπτυξιακή Τράπεζα (ΕΑΤ)Ended