Greek Tourism Businesses Covered by Extra Covid-19 Support

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Greek authorities have set aside 80 million euros to support in January employees and businesses impacted by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, including several tourism activities. 

According to the finance, development and labor ministries, the three new measures cover additional areas of activity and include among others reinstating the furlough scheme with special purpose compensation.

The first measure, budgeted at 30 million euros covers the January 1-31, 2022 period, and allows night clubs and bars, concert halls and entertainment venues to suspend all (100 percent) employee contracts.

Employees placed on furlough will receive a sum of a monthly 534-euro subsidy based on days of absence. For the same period, the government will cover social security contributions based on declared salary.

Events and wedding organizers, performing arts and theaters, events and spectacles venues, and playgrounds will be able as of January 14 to January 31, 2022, to do the same.

With regards to tourism-related enterprises impacted by Covid, as of January 14 to January 31, 2022, restaurants, catering services, hotels, travel agencies and reservation services, conference and trade fair organizers, amusement and theme parks, and casinos will be able to place 25 percent of their employees on furlough.

A second measure, budgeted at 42 million euros, concerns financial support of up to 400,000 euros to impacted sectors, including conferences and trade fair organizers, events organizers, catering services providers, and nightclubs, which saw turnover decrease by 50 percent over the 2019-2020 period.

The third measure, budgeted at 8 million euros, allows impacted businesses and affected employees to suspend their January 2022 installment of taxes.

“The government is once again supporting tourism,” said Tourism Minister Vassilis Kikilias to SKAI TV when commenting on the newly announced measures, adding that the decision to extend the aid demonstrates the importance of the sector for the Greek economy.

Press here to see the enterprises (KAD codes – in Greek) covered by the government’s three new measures.