Greece to offer up to €10,000 for relocation to border regions

Greece is launching a relocation program in October to combat depopulation in its remote and border regions. Domna Michailidou, Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, announced that the initiative will provide financial incentives of up to €10,000 for individuals and families moving to selected areas.

The program, which began in the Evros region, is expanding to include seven of the eight municipalities in the Ioannina regional unit, as well as the municipalities of Souli and Filiates in Thesprotia. Notably, applicants are not required to have existing employment in the new location, making the program accessible to remote workers, retirees, and Greeks living abroad who wish to return.

Specific measures have also been announced for the island of Kastellorizo, where public and private sector workers can receive an annual incentive of €5,000, plus an additional €1,000 per child. Beyond direct cash transfers, the government plans to invest in local infrastructure, including schools, nurseries, and incentives for critical professions such as doctors.