Greece Increases Subsidies for Holiday Passes in Thessaly and Evros

The Greek government has announced an increase in the subsidy amounts on the digital debit cards for beneficiaries of subsidized holidays to Thessaly and Evros, as part of the “Thessaly Evros Pass” program.

This increase applies to the debit cards for Phase 3 of the program, which covers the period from November to December 2024. The “Thessaly Evros Pass” program aims to support vacationers visiting the flood-affected areas of Thessaly in central Greece and Evros. By November 5, cardholders will see the increased subsidies reflected in their card balances.

The subsidy increases apply to all program destinations: Thessaly A Pass 2024, Thessaly B Pass 2024, and Evros Pass 2024. Specifically, the subsidy amount for each “Thessaly A Pass 2024” debit card will rise to 180 euros, up from 100 euros. Currently, this card is held by 7,000 participants in the program.

Holders of the “Thessaly B Pass 2024” will also see their funds increase to 180 euros, from 150 euros, benefiting 3,000 cardholders. Meanwhile, the “Evros Pass 2024” will now provide 220 euros, an increase from the initially approved 200 euros, for its 2,000 cardholders.

Budget and individual destinations

The program has a total budget of 4.45 million euros – to cover accommodation, food, and local transportation – allocated across the following categories and areas with their respective subsidy amounts:

– Thessaly A: Covers the municipalities of South Pelion, Zagora – Mouresi, and the municipal units of Agria, Portaria,, Artemis, and Makrynitsa (Volos) with a subsidy of 180 euros.
– Thessaly B: Covers the municipalities of Limni Plastira, Agia, Tempi, Pyli and Meteora with a subsidy of 180 euros.
– Evros: Covers the municipality of Soufli and the municipal unit of Feres (Alexandroupolis) with a subsidy of 220 euros.

The decision for the increased sums was jointly made by Minister of the Interior Theodoros Livanios, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou, Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis, Undersecretary of National Economy and Finance Christos Dimas, and Deputy Minister for Climate Crisis and Citizen Protection Christos Triantopoulos.