The Greek government agency OPEKA (Organisation of Welfare Benefits and Social Solidarity) has launched a new social tourism program offering free or subsidized holidays to 27,500 farmers across Greece. The program focuses on islands in the North and South Aegean and the regional unit of Evros.

Supporting Rural Households and Tourism

The initiative, funded through the Agricultural Hearth Account (LAE), aims to support rural households while also strengthening tourism businesses in vulnerable and remote regions. Under the ministerial decision signed by Domna Michailidou, beneficiaries will receive a range of subsidized tourism, wellness, and social support benefits.

The program provides holidays of up to six days (five overnight stays) in participating tourist accommodations. For selected areas, including the municipalities of Istiaia-Edipsos and Mantoudi-Limni-Agia Anna in Euboea, the regional unit of Evros, and the regional units of Magnesia, Karditsa, Larissa, and Trikala, the stay may be extended to 12 overnight stays.

A subsidized thermal tourism program offers up to six days of accommodation together with five free spa treatments at participating thermal spring facilities. Extended 12-night stays also apply to the same regions. The scheme further includes subsidized children’s camps lasting up to 16 days, four-day excursion packages, free books, and complimentary theatre tickets for beneficiaries.

Financial Support and Scholarships

The program also provides direct financial support for large families, including €700 payments for 2,300 mothers with three children and €1,000 payments for 600 mothers with four or more children. For the first time, OPEKA introduced scholarships and cash awards for students succeeding in Greece’s national university entrance exams. A total of 2,106 students will receive €1,000 each.

The program subsidizes accommodation businesses in Evros and across numerous islands of the North and South Aegean, including Lesbos, Lemnos, Agios Efstratios, Samos, Ikaria, Fournoi, Chios, Oinousses, Psara, Kos, Patmos, Rhodes, Karpathos, Kasos, Leros, Kalymnos, Astypalaia, Nisyros, Symi, Tilos, Chalki, Lipsi, Agathonisi, and Kastellorizo. Beneficiaries choosing these destinations without breakfast included will be able to stay without any additional accommodation costs.

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