With overwhelming majority the Greek Parliament approved the draft law awarding a one-off benefit of 2,000 euros for every child born in Greece as of January 1, 2020.
The allowance will be paid in two equal installments of 1,000 euros in the first and sixth month after the birth.
Eligible are families with an annual income up to 40,000 euros.
Non-EU nationals are eligible provided they have stayed in the country for 12 years.
The birth allowance is exempt from any tax, fee or levy and cannot be confiscated or offset against certified debts.
For the year 2020, the total expenditure is expected to reach 123 million euros and around 170 million euros for subsequent year.
According to the government, this handout is expected to create an incentive for future parents by providing important support during the first years of raising a child.
What is interesting is that all state and private media speak of “families” eligible to the birth allowance. Not a single word about whether single mothers are also eligible!
It is also not clear whether EU-nationals are eligible as well.
