Greek Island Transport Subsidy Program Accepting Applications

Greek island residents and businesses can claim transportation discounts as part of the government’s “transport equivalent” measure, the Greek Shipping Ministry announced.

Interested parties can apply for subsidies under the second round covering 2022 of the “metaforiko isodynamo” program here through to August 31, 2023.

Required invoices should concern spending for the July 1-December 31, 2022 period. Invoices subsidized under phase 1 of the program are not eligible.

Initially applicable to 49 Greek islands within a pilot scheme launched in 2018, the measure now foresees discounts for the transportation of goods and people to and from all Greek island territories. Permanent island residents and Greek island-based businesses are eligible.

The Greek shipping ministry announced that it would be releasing subsidies valued at 40 million euros to eligible islanders and island businesses for transport needs, fuel and business costs.

Passenger support applies to approved applications through to September 30, 2022.

According to the ministry, a total of 7.4 million euros will be granted to 133,704 applicants for the July 1-September 30, 2022 period and 11 million to 165,858 applicants.

The ministry’s Secretariat General for the Aegean and Island Policy Ministry said payments began progressively in April for the first applicants to be followed by a second round.

Of the 40 million euros in total, 4.1 million euros will be distributed for fuel spending made in 2022 for 32,068 island residents and 3,274 businesses.

In the meantime, the ministry is currently assessing 11,965 island business applications covering the costs of first half of 2022 and is expected to announce the release of 16 million euros in relevant funding for H1 2022.

A total of 71 million euros have been made available to island-based businesses and island residents under the 2022 program.