Greece’s relocation grant of up to €10,000, for people who move their permanent home to 11 border and northern regions, opens for applications on 14 October 2026, the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family announced on 6 October.
Half of the amount will be paid in advance, Minister Domna Michailidou said.
Where it applies
The ministry lists 11 regional units: Evros, Kilkis, Florina, Kastoria, Drama, Pella, Grevena, Kozani, Serres, Ioannina and Thesprotia. In Ioannina and Thesprotia the grant does not cover every municipality. An earlier ministry announcement of 17 September named seven of Ioannina’s eight municipalities, and the municipalities of Souli and Filiates in Thesprotia.
Applicants can settle in towns as well as villages, according to the ministry.
Who can apply
The ministry says applicants can come from elsewhere in Greece or from abroad. They must own or rent a home in the area. The earlier requirement to prove a job in the new area has been dropped.
The announcements do not say whether non-Greek nationals qualify, how long beneficiaries must stay, or what income limits apply. Those terms should appear on the application platform when it opens.
Other housing schemes
The minister also said owners approved under the Anakainizo renovation scheme will start submitting documents within ten days. The scheme covers up to 95% of eligible costs, capped at €36,000 per home, with a 50% advance. About 94,000 certificates have been issued. Buyers of older homes should read our note on Anakainizo conditions.
What it means for buyers
The grant is aimed at people moving their main home, not at investors or holiday-home buyers. For members of the Greek diaspora thinking of returning to Epirus or northern Greece, it can offset part of the cost of moving.
Because applicants must own or rent a home in the area, demand for housing in towns such as Ioannina, Kozani or Serres could rise if take-up is strong. Anyone buying there with the grant in mind should check the full terms on the platform before signing.
What happens next
The application platform opens on 14 October 2026. We will add the detailed eligibility rules once they are published.
