Greece has announced a new package of economic measures aimed at boosting the incomes of pensioners and workers, with changes expected to come into effect gradually over the coming years.
One of the main measures is the annual allowance of 400 euros for pensioners, which will be provided permanently every November, starting from November 2026. Beneficiaries will be expanded to about 2.2 million pensioners, as income and asset criteria are removed. The main condition will be that the pensioner is at least 65 years old.
The amount of the assistance has been increased by 100 euros, from 300 to 400 euros, approaching the national pension, which is currently around 446 euros. The benefit will also include people with disabilities and uninsured elderly people. For widows, assistance will be available from the age of 60, in cases where the widow's pension is the only source of income.
Real increase for pensioners
By the end of 2026, around 2.5 million pensioners are expected to benefit from annual pension increases, following the final abolition of the "personal difference" mechanism.
According to the examples made public, a pensioner who receives 823 euros will benefit from about 208 euros more per year from the pension increase. If the 400 euro allowance is added, the annual benefit amounts to about 608 euros.
The minimum wage is 1000 euros.
The measures do not only affect pensioners. The Greek government has also set a target for the minimum wage to reach 1000 euros by 2028. The increase will be made in two stages. In April 2027, the minimum wage is expected to increase from around 920 to 950 euros, while in January 2028 it will reach 1000 euros.
Civil servants will also benefit from the increases. A horizontal increase of 30 euros is foreseen from April 1, 2027, while further increases will also be linked to the development of salaries in the private sector.
500 euro bonus for civil servants
Another important measure is the reinstatement of an annual bonus for civil servants. Starting in December 2027, around 720 civil servants will receive 500 euros gross every Christmas.
The bonus will also be calculated into the pension base, affecting the amount employees will receive after retirement. According to examples given by the Greek prime minister, some civil servants could benefit from hundreds of extra euros per year from the combination of salary increases and bonuses.
Thus, Greece's new economic package includes an additional 400 euros each year for millions of pensioners, an increase in the minimum wage of up to 1000 euros, and annual bonuses for hundreds of thousands of civil servants.
