Greece announces new family support package and birth allowances

The Greek government has announced a comprehensive new family policy package designed to support households and address demographic challenges. The measures focus heavily on large families, specifically those with three or more children.

Key components include a restructured birth allowance that removes previous caps for large families. For families with four or more children, the allowance will increase by €1,000 for each additional child, potentially reaching €7,500 for seven children. This new scale is set to apply retroactively for births starting January 1, 2026.

Additionally, the package includes a 10% increase in childcare vouchers and an expansion of eligibility by raising income thresholds by €2,000. For families with three children, income limits for these vouchers will be completely abolished. The plan also significantly boosts funding for student catering, increasing daily rates from €2 to €3 in mainland areas and up to €3.50 in island and remote regions. Nikos Romanos, Director of Digital Communication for the Prime Minister, described these interventions as part of a cohesive long-term strategy implemented since 2019 to support the Greek family unit.