Greece to Release Transport Subsidy for Eligible Islanders, Businesses

The Greek shipping ministry announced this week that it would be releasing subsidies valued at 30 million euros to islanders and island businesses for transport needs.

More specifically, the subsidies will be allocated as of December 28 to eligible parties under the government’s “transport equivalent” program which offers special discounts for the transportation of goods and people.

According to the ministry, payments will be completed by year-end.

Of the 30 million euros in total 22.9 million euros will go to 10,075 island-based businesses to cover Q2 costs and 7.1 million euros to 134,705 eligible islanders for the January-April 28, 2022 period.

The Greek shipping ministry’s Headquarters in Piraeus. Photo source: Greek shipping ministry.

Ahead of disbursement, the ministry is carrying out inspections of island companies’ loading and transport bills.

The ministry also announced that disbursement procedures for transport costs to individual travelers will be completed by the end of January and concern travel costs for the April 29-September 30, 2022 period as well as payments for fuel costs for 2022.

The General Secretariat of the Aegean and Islands Policy said it has included the “transport equivalent” scheme in its development program for the 2021-2025 period and has taken the necessary actions to ensure the flow of payments and the program’s inclusion in EU funding programs.