Greek Tour Bus Professionals Can Apply for Covid-19 Support

Greek tourism enterprises operating buses are eligible for a total of 21,007,300 euros in relief aid to cover Covid-19-related losses following the publication of the decision in the Official Government Gazette on Tuesday.

The funds will be allocated to Greek tourism enterprises employing public service tourist buses, open type urban city tourist coaches, as well as tourist trains and to tourism transport companies.

The decision states that the subsidies granted to companies are not taxable or subject to any fee or levy, and cannot be taxed by any other authority including municipality, region, insurance fund or credit institution.

According to the decision, the size of compensation is calculated based on seating capacity per bus (up to 30 seats and 30 seats or more). Funds for tourist trains are allocated regardless of capacity.

Companies operating buses up to 30 seats will receive 2,400 euros for each bus, for those operating buses with 30 seats or more, compensation comes to 3,600 euros per bus, and tourist trains will receive 2,000 euros.

Eligible enterprises must apply for compensation submitting (also online here in Greek) supporting documents which include application and statement of responsibility, a copy of the vehicle registration certificate, and a copy of the pre-ownership agreement (where applicable) to regional tourism authorities by January 29, 2021.

Compensation will be paid to beneficiaries after assessment of supporting documents by the tourism ministry’s financial services.