Greece Neighborhood Babysitters program begins payments

The ‘Neighborhood Babysitters’ program in Greece has reached full operational status, providing financial support to families for childcare. To date, 6,804 applications from beneficiary families and 3,483 applications from caregivers have been approved, with approximately 2,250 agreements signed. The first payments have already commenced, with the initial 100 caregivers receiving their compensation.

The program is designed to support mothers with children aged 2 months to 2.5 years. Financial assistance varies based on employment status: 500 euros per month for full-time employment and 300 euros for part-time work. Notably, the program extends support to student mothers and unemployed mothers (for a limited three-month period) at a rate of 300 euros per month to help them balance studies or job searches.

Eligibility is determined by income thresholds: families with one child must have an annual income below 24,000 euros, while those with two children have a limit of 27,000 euros. There is no income limit for families with three or more children. Care can be provided in the family home or the caregiver's home, and the program allows for relatives, such as grandparents, to serve as registered caregivers.