Widow(er)'s Pension (Death of Spouse)
The surviving spouse or civil-partnership party is entitled to a pension regardless of age, subject to marriage-duration and the deceased's insurance conditions.
70% of the pension the deceased spouse received or was entitled to; from the September 2026 pensions it is no longer halved after three years, even if you work or receive another pension
Who can get it
Official evidence · e-ΕΦΚΑ, Σύνταξη λόγω θανάτου: «Τα πρόσωπα που δικαιούνται σύνταξη λόγω θανάτου ασφαλισμένου/-ης ή συνταξιούχου που απεβίωσε από 13.5.2016 και μετά είναι ο/η επιζών/-ώσα σύζυγος και το έτερο μέρος του συμφώνου συμβίωσης, τα τέκνα του θανόντος … και ο/η διαζευγμένος/-η.» · Checked: 2026-09-30
Official evidence · e-ΕΦΚΑ, Σύνταξη λόγω θανάτου: «Το δικαίωμα των διαζευγμένων στη σύνταξη λόγω θανάτου συναρτάται και με εισοδηματικά κριτήρια.» · «Το μέσο μηνιαίο ατομικό φορολογητέο εισόδημά τους δεν πρέπει να υπερβαίνει το διπλάσιο του ποσού που αντιστοιχεί στο Επίδομα Κοινωνικής Αλληλεγγύης Ανασφάλιστων Υπερηλίκων» · Checked: 2026-09-30
Official evidence · εγκ. e-ΕΦΚΑ 6/2018· διορθωμένο όριο 600 ημερών (όχι 300) — έλεγχος 2026-09-25 · Checked: 2026-09-25
Based on official sources. For the latest criteria, contact the relevant authority.
How to apply
The steps to apply yourself. Free: you don’t need to pay anyone.
Required Documents
Usually the details gov.gr already holds about you are enough.
Step by step
- 1
Sign in to gov.gr with your TAXISnet codes
You sign in ONLY through the official government page. Never enter your codes anywhere else.
- 2
Open the application service
Go to the official pageAuthority: e-ΕΦΚΑ
- 3
Fill in and submit the application
Enter your details, upload anything requested and submit. Keep the protocol number.
- 4
Track your application
Progress and the final decision appear in your account on the authority / gov.gr.
Indicative guide — the application and final decision are made by the competent authority.
Indicative results — not an official assessment.
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What it is
Requires a marriage/partnership of at least 3 years (exceptions: a child from the marriage, pregnancy at the time of death, death from a work accident/homicide, or remarriage to a previous spouse totaling 5+ years) AND the deceased must have met their own old-age/disability insurance conditions: 4,500 days, or 1,500 days of which at least 600 (not 300 — a figure corrected in the 2026-09-25 check) within the last 5 years before death. “Regardless of age” applies from 13/5/2016.
From the September 2026 pensions (Law 5322/2026, article 91): the e-EFKA main survivor's pension is no longer reduced after three years, because the cuts of article 12(5) of Law 4387/2016 were abolished; it continues to be paid at the percentages of article 12(4). A person who also receives a main pension of their own gets one national pension for their own pension and one for the survivor's pension. Amounts paid in error to survivor pensioners up to then are written off and not reclaimed, unless there was deliberate deception through criminal acts.
Lifecycle*
ActivePermanent/ongoing benefit
No fixed end date is currently recorded.
*Cycles, deadlines, and availability may change regularly. Always confirm with the official source before applying.
Benefit details
- Provider
- e-ΕΦΚΑ
- Category
- Survivors
- Status
- Active
- Type of benefit
- Information
Details last verified: 11/10/2026