Greece proposes 500 euro Christmas allowance for public sector

A bill proposed by the Ministry of National Economy and Finance outlines a 500 euro Christmas allowance for various public sector employees and elected officials in Greece. The provision includes mayors, salaried deputy mayors, regional governors, and salaried deputy regional governors, provided they receive monthly remuneration.

Beyond elected officials, the allowance covers public sector workers, lawyers serving under salaried mandates, and personnel within municipal and regional services, ranging from administrative and technical staff to cleaning services. The regulation also extends to employees of public companies and organizations, such as ERT and OASA.

The allowance is intended to be paid annually as part of regular, pensionable earnings. The first scheduled payment is set for December 16, 2027. The 500 euro amount is a gross figure, meaning the final net benefit will be subject to social security deductions and taxation. The bill includes provisions for part-time and hourly workers, though members of collective governing bodies who are only compensated for meeting attendance are excluded.