Free Microchipping, Sterilisation and Vaccination of Pets for Vulnerable Groups and Shepherd Dogs (Law 4830/2021)

Under article 4 para. 13 of Law 4830/2021 (the “ARGOS” Programme), owners or foster carers of companion animals who belong to sensitive and vulnerable social groups, as well as owners of dogs used exclusively to guard flocks (sheepdogs), can have their animals identified (microchipped), registered, neutered and vaccinated free of charge at municipal veterinary clinics, at specially equipped municipal and regional facilities, or by vets under contract with the municipality. The law names in particular people with disabilities, large families (4+ children), families with 3 children, single-parent families, unemployed people registered with DYPA (Public Employment Service, formerly OAED) and people living on the Guaranteed Minimum Income. Each municipal council may specify the categories and set income or other criteria (article 45 para. 3).

Examples: - Municipality of Trifylia (decision 16/2026): free identification-registration, neutering, vaccination and deworming of one animal per citizen for residents of the Municipality in the groups above and for flock owners. Places are limited, with priority set by income criteria. - Municipality of Farkadona (decision 117/2025): free electronic identification, vaccination and neutering of one animal per household or farm, for people with disabilities (any percentage, with a KEPA (disability assessment centre) decision), unemployed people, single-parent families, large families and families with 3 children, Guaranteed Minimum Income (EEE) recipients and livestock farmers with sheepdogs. Applications 1-31 January, 1-31 May and 1-30 September. 25% of places go to the social groups and 75% to sheepdogs; for sheepdogs, the first 2 dogs of the farm are paid for by the owner. - Municipality of Dafni-Ymittos: free neutering, electronic identification, registration in the National Companion Animal Register and veterinary care for registered citizens of the municipality with a disability, large families, families with 3 children, single-parent families, long-term unemployed people registered with DYPA and Guaranteed Minimum Income (EEE) recipients, with an annual household income of up to €5,251 from all sources, increased by €1,000 for each dependent member. - Municipality of Chania (2026): free blood test and neutering of one animal only, with applications from Wednesday 7 October to Friday 16 October 2026, for people with disabilities, unemployed people, single-parent families, families with 3 children, large families, people with an annual income of up to €10,000, students and flock owners. The animal must already be microchipped and registered (microchipping is not included). Priority is set by a points system (municipal council decision 152/2023).