Greece approves wildfire compensation and housing aid

The Greek government has activated housing assistance and temporary accommodation subsidies for areas affected by wildfires in July and August 2026. According to a Joint Ministerial Decision published in the Government Gazette, the total fiscal expenditure is approximately €9.79 million. This includes €9.54 million for free state aid and inspection costs, and €246,000 for temporary housing subsidies.

The assistance is provided as 100% free state aid, meaning no interest-free loans are required for eligible beneficiaries. Eligible recipients include owners of buildings that sustained damage and require repair or reconstruction. However, compensation is not provided for abandoned buildings, makeshift structures (such as those made of sheet metal or fiber cement), or buildings located in prohibited zones like forest lands, coastlines, or riverbeds.

The affected regions span several regional units, including Thessaloniki (Evkarpia and Melissochori), Achaia (Arravonitsa, Neos Erinéos, Mageiras, and Floka), Boeotia (Dombraína, Xironomi, Kaparelli, and Lefktra), Phocis (Klíma Evpaliou and Magoula), West Attica (Vilia, Mandra, and Megara), Argolis (Fichti), and Crete (Akoumia, Ardakto, Lampini, Melampes, Saktouria, Asomatos, and Lefkogia).