ΟδηγοίUpdated: 24 October 2026

Thessaloniki Fair 2026 measures on benefits: what applies, and from when

Every benefit and household-tax measure of the 2026 Thessaloniki Fair: what was announced, what is in consultation, what is law, with official sources.

At the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair (6 September 2026) the Prime Minister announced measures for pensioners, families, workers, farmers and home owners. Most of them do not apply yet. Many are in a Ministry of National Economy and Finance draft law that is in public consultation until Sunday 1 November 2026 and has not yet been tabled in Parliament. Others are only announcements.

For each measure we say where it stands today, when it would apply and where to find it officially, with a link to the benefit’s page on myepidoma where there is one.

In forcePensioners and people with disability
Survivor’s pensions no longer cut after three years
A survivor’s pension is no longer reduced after three years. Someone who also draws their own pension receives two national pensions.
When: From the September 2026 pensions.
Official source: Law 5322/2026, article 91
On myepidoma: Survivor’s pension
In forceHomes, housing and household taxes
Lower tax on rental income
A new 25% middle rate in the tax scale for rental income.
When: From tax year 2026; it shows in the 2027 tax returns.
Official source: Law 5246/2025, article 8
In forceHomes, housing and household taxes
Rent refund
One month’s rent a year; two for doctors, nurses and teachers outside Attica and Thessaloniki.
When: Paid on 30 November 2026 for 2025 rents, and again on 30 November 2027.
Official sources: Law 5217/2025, articles 70, 70Α · Details of the measures (government.gov.gr)
On myepidoma: Rent refund · Two months’ rent
In forceHomes, housing and household taxes
Home Renovation (ESPA)
The programme guide came out on 20/10/2026; funding applications are not open yet.
When: Application dates will be announced.
Official source: Announcement (espa.gr)
On myepidoma: Home Renovation

LawHomes, housing and household taxes
ENFIA abolished on the main home in settlements up to 1,500 residents
Full exemption from ENFIA on the main home (up to 1,700 residents in some areas). For 2026 a 50% cut already applies.
When: From ENFIA 2027.
Official source: Law 5246/2025, article 10
On myepidoma: ENFIA exemption 2027 · ENFIA 50% cut (2026)
LawFarmers and the self-employed
Agricultural diesel excise relief at the pump
The excise duty relief, and the VAT on it, is given directly at the pump through myDiesel.
When: From 1/11/2026.
Official sources: Law 5313/2026, article 26 · Press release (aade.gr, 20/10/2026)
On myepidoma: Agricultural diesel excise

Draft lawPensioners and people with disability
€400 November support
The public consultation is open until 1/11/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
The draft law raises the support from €300 to €400 from 2026 and gives it to all pensioners aged 65 or over (60 or over if they only receive a survivor’s pension), to recipients of disability pensions and benefits and to uninsured elderly people. It is paid without an application. Until the law passes, the law in force says €300.
When: For 2026 the draft law proposes paying €400 by 30/11/2026.
Official source: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), article 19
On myepidoma: November support
Draft lawPensioners and people with disability
Disability benefits indexed every year
The public consultation is open until 1/11/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
OPEKA disability benefits, the non-institutional care allowance and the former OGA total-disability benefit would rise every year by the same rate as pensions.
When: From 1/1/2027.
Official source: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), article 21
On myepidoma: OPEKA disability benefits
Draft lawFamilies and children
Birth allowance of €4,500 for the 4th child, +€1,000 for each further child
The public consultation is open until 1/11/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
Families already paid would get the difference by 31/12/2026 without a new application.
When: For births from 1/1/2026.
Official source: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), article 22
On myepidoma: Birth allowance
Draft lawFamilies and children
“Piggy bank for the New Generation”
The public consultation is open until 1/11/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
An investment account for every child, opened before the child turns 2. The State matches what the parent pays in, up to €1,200 a year.
When: From 1/1/2027, if passed.
Official source: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), articles 29–46
On myepidoma: Piggy bank for the New Generation
Draft lawFamilies and children
Zero income tax up to €20,000 for families with three children
The public consultation is open until 1/11/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
The tax rate of the first two brackets becomes zero for taxpayers with three or more dependent children.
When: From tax year 2027; the government says employees will see it from 1/1/2027.
Official source: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), article 4
On myepidoma: Tax relief for families
Draft lawFamilies and children
A child’s survivor’s pension no longer counts towards the dependant limit
The public consultation is open until 1/11/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
A survivor’s pension paid to a child no longer counts towards the €3,000 limit for a dependent child.
When: From tax year 2026.
Official source: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), article 3
Draft lawWorkers and the public sector
€500 Christmas allowance for public-sector staff
The public consultation is open until 1/11/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
Every year on 16 December, pro rata for part of the year. No application.
When: First in December 2027, for the period 1/12/2026–30/11/2027.
Official source: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), article 25
On myepidoma: €500 public-sector Christmas allowance
Draft lawWorkers and the public sector
Employee contributions cut by 0.5 point
The public consultation is open until 1/11/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
The employee’s unemployment contribution (DYPA) falls to 0.70%. No application.
When: From 1/4/2027.
Official source: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), article 20
Draft lawWorkers and the public sector
Tax-free tips up to €6,000 a year
The public consultation is open until 1/11/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
Instead of €300 a month, for employees and platform couriers.
When: From tax year 2026.
Official source: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), articles 5–6
On myepidoma: Tax-free tips
Draft lawHomes, housing and household taxes
ENFIA exemption extended to settlements up to 2,000 residents
The public consultation is open until 1/11/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
The settlement limit rises from 1,500 to 2,000 residents (2,200 in Western Macedonia).
When: From ENFIA 2027; the government mentions the ENFIA assessment in mid-March.
Official source: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), article 15
On myepidoma: ENFIA exemption 2027
Draft lawHomes, housing and household taxes
Tax-free rent for formerly empty homes: extension
The public consultation is open until 1/11/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
Rent from a home that stood empty is tax-free for 36 months. The draft law extends this to leases signed by 31/12/2027 (2027–2030 was said at the Fair).
When: For leases signed by 31/12/2027, if passed.
Official source: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), article 13
On myepidoma: 36-month tax-free rent
Draft lawHomes, housing and household taxes
Tax reduction for building upgrade costs: extension
The public consultation is open until 1/11/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
The draft law extends the reduction to costs incurred by 31/12/2027 (2027–2030 was said at the Fair).
When: For costs incurred by 31/12/2027, if passed.
Official source: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), article 18
On myepidoma: Tax reduction for building upgrades
Draft lawHomes, housing and household taxes
VAT suspension on new buildings: extension
The public consultation is open until 1/11/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
On the builder’s request, VAT on new buildings is suspended until 31/12/2027 (2027–2030 was said at the Fair).
When: Until 31/12/2027, if passed.
Official source: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), article 17
Draft lawEnergy
Public-service (ΥΚΩ) charge halved on electricity bills
The public consultation closed on 24/10/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
The ΥΚΩ charge on the first band of household bills falls from €6.90 to €3.45 per MWh. No application.
When: From 1/1/2027.
Official source: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1731), article 50
Draft lawFarmers and the self-employed
Zero income tax up to €20,000 for professional farmers
The public consultation is open until 1/11/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
On profits from an individual farm business, for farmers with at least 50% of their income from farming.
When: From tax year 2026 (2027 tax returns).
Official source: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), article 4
On myepidoma: Zero tax for farmers
Draft lawFarmers and the self-employed
Self-employed: presumptive income and advance tax
The public consultation is open until 1/11/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
No surcharges on the presumptive minimum income for compliant taxpayers, and a 50% cut in settlements up to 2,000 residents (2,200 in Western Macedonia). Advance tax becomes 50% instead of 55%.
When: The presumptive income from tax year 2026; the lower advance with the tax-year-2027 return.
Official sources: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), articles 8–9 · Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), article 12
Draft lawHomes, housing and household taxes
Settlement incentive for the Municipality of Megisti (Kastellorizo)
Not announced at the Fair; it is in the same draft law.
The public consultation is open until 1/11/2026. The measure has not been voted on.
€5,000 a year per household, plus €1,000 for each dependent minor.
When: Under the draft, from 2027 for permanent residents and from 2028 for people who moved their main home there.
Official source: Draft law (opengov.gr, #1646), articles 23–24
On myepidoma: Megisti incentive

AnnouncedPensioners and people with disability
Pension rises without offsetting the personal difference
January 2027 pensions are paid with the rise, and the personal difference no longer absorbs it. The government says this is already legislated, but we have not yet found the provision in the law.
When: End of December 2026, with the January 2027 pensions.
Official source: Details of the measures (government.gov.gr)
AnnouncedPensioners and people with disability
Free electric wheelchairs, scooters and hand bikes
A 100% subsidy for 13,200 people with disability, from the Social Climate Fund.
When: Not announced.
Official source: Details of the measures (government.gov.gr)
On myepidoma: 100% subsidy for wheelchairs and scooters
AnnouncedFamilies and children
Nursery vouchers
+10% on the amount, +€2,000 on every income limit, and no income limit for three-child families.
When: Which cycle: not set.
Official source: Details of the measures (government.gov.gr)
On myepidoma: Nursery vouchers
AnnouncedFamilies and children
Student meals
The daily rate rises from €2 to €3 (from €2.45 to €3.50 in border and island areas). The announcement does not mention changes to the criteria or the procedure for students.
When: Not announced.
Official source: Details of the measures (government.gov.gr)
On myepidoma: Free student meals
AnnouncedFamilies and children
Free dental check-ups for children aged 5–14 and the return of Dentist Pass
Free dental check-ups for almost 300,000 children aged 5 to 14.
When: Check-ups from 2027; no date has been announced for Dentist Pass.
Official source: Prime Minister’s speech (6/9/2026)
On myepidoma: Dentist Pass
Announced(a target)Workers and the public sector
Minimum wage of €1,000 by January 2028
Benefits linked to the minimum wage, such as unemployment benefit, rise with it. For public-sector staff a rise of €80 a month gross by January 2028 was announced.
When: Rises in April 2027 and January 2028.
Official source: Details of the measures (government.gov.gr)
On myepidoma: Unemployment benefit
AnnouncedHomes, housing and household taxes
My Home III
Low-interest first-home loans up to €230,000, for people aged up to 55 and homes up to €300,000.
When: The government expects it to start in early 2027.
Official source: Details of the measures (government.gov.gr)
On myepidoma: My Home III
AnnouncedHomes, housing and household taxes
Social housing in former army camps
Construction of 2,350 energy-class A+ homes in four disused army camps.
When: Not announced.
Official source: Details of the measures (government.gov.gr)
AnnouncedEnergy
New Exoikonomo
For 62,000 homes, with €1.2 billion from the Social Climate Fund.
When: The plan endorsed by the European Commission schedules a call for the second quarter of 2027.
Official sources: Details of the measures (government.gov.gr) · Social Climate Plan (European Commission)
On myepidoma: Exoikonomo 2026
AnnouncedEnergy
Heat pumps and solar water heaters
A programme for 100,000 beneficiaries, with €200 million from the national public investment budget, and a separate €930 million Social Climate Fund programme to replace heating systems.
When: The 100,000-beneficiary programme during 2027; not announced for the second.
Official sources: Details of the measures (government.gov.gr) · Social Climate Plan (European Commission)
On myepidoma: Heat pumps and solar water heaters 2027
AnnouncedEnergy
Rooftop solar, heat pumps and solar heaters in Western Macedonia and Megalopoli
For 10,000 households.
When: During 2027.
Official source: Details of the measures (government.gov.gr)
AnnouncedEnergy
Extra heating allowance of up to about €100 a year
For 780,000 beneficiaries, from the Social Climate Fund.
When: From late 2027 to 2032.
Official source: Details of the measures (government.gov.gr)
On myepidoma: Heating allowance
AnnouncedEnergy
Social leasing of electric cars
Leasing an electric car at a very low rent for 12,500 households, with an average subsidy of €13,000 over four years.
When: Not announced.
Official source: Details of the measures (government.gov.gr)

Not announced

An increase of the A21 child benefit
There is no such measure in the 2026 Fair measures or in the draft law.
On myepidoma: A21 child benefit
13th salary
No government measure brings it back. The only public-sector measure is the €500 Christmas allowance from 2027.
On myepidoma: €500 public-sector Christmas allowance
Heating allowance 2026–2027 (+30%)
Announced separately on 14/10/2026, not at the Fair.
On myepidoma: Heating allowance

Sources

This page is updated when the draft law is passed and published in the Government Gazette (ΦΕΚ) or when ministerial decisions are issued.

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Thessaloniki Fair 2026 measures on benefits: what applies, and from when

Survivor’s pensions no longer cut after three years

Lower tax on rental income

Rent refund

Home Renovation (ESPA)

ENFIA abolished on the main home in settlements up to 1,500 residents

Agricultural diesel excise relief at the pump

€400 November support

Disability benefits indexed every year

Birth allowance of €4,500 for the 4th child, +€1,000 for each further child

“Piggy bank for the New Generation”

Zero income tax up to €20,000 for families with three children

A child’s survivor’s pension no longer counts towards the dependant limit

€500 Christmas allowance for public-sector staff

Employee contributions cut by 0.5 point

Tax-free tips up to €6,000 a year

ENFIA exemption extended to settlements up to 2,000 residents

Tax-free rent for formerly empty homes: extension

Tax reduction for building upgrade costs: extension

VAT suspension on new buildings: extension

Public-service (ΥΚΩ) charge halved on electricity bills

Zero income tax up to €20,000 for professional farmers

Self-employed: presumptive income and advance tax

Settlement incentive for the Municipality of Megisti (Kastellorizo)

Pension rises without offsetting the personal difference

Free electric wheelchairs, scooters and hand bikes

Nursery vouchers

Student meals

Free dental check-ups for children aged 5–14 and the return of Dentist Pass

Minimum wage of €1,000 by January 2028

My Home III

Social housing in former army camps

New Exoikonomo

Heat pumps and solar water heaters

Rooftop solar, heat pumps and solar heaters in Western Macedonia and Megalopoli

Extra heating allowance of up to about €100 a year

Social leasing of electric cars

Not announced

An increase of the A21 child benefit

13th salary

Heating allowance 2026–2027 (+30%)

Sources

Check if you qualify