Legislation

Article 93 of Law 4387/2016 (Government Gazette A’ 85/12.5.2016) established the Social Solidarity Allowance for Uninsured Older People. Under this article, as currently in force, the allowance has been granted since 12 May 2016 by OGA and now by OPEKA to uninsured older people.418.95EURfrom 1 January 2026.
In particular, under the law, Joint Ministerial Decision F10034/2437/655 and the interpretative circular, the allowance is granted to uninsured older people and to people who do not meet the requirements for a pension, provided they meet the following conditions:

a. They have reached the age of67b. They do not receive, and are not entitled to receive, a pension from abroad or any insurance or welfare benefit from Greece greater than418.95EUR. If the pension or benefit they receive from a public body is lower than the allowance of418.95EUR, they are entitled to the difference between the allowance and the pension or benefit they receive.

Beneficiaries must immediately report any change in the amount of a pension or benefit they receive from Greece or abroad so that the allowance can be adjusted accordingly. For pensions or other benefits from a foreign body, the exchange rate on the first working day of the year is used when the amount is granted, granted again or amended by the body responsible for payment, following a change in the foreign pension amount.

c. They have resided permanently and legally in Greece for15 consecutive yearsbefore applying for the allowance, or for 15 years between the ages of 17 and 67, including 10 consecutive years immediately before applying, and they continue to reside in Greece after receiving the benefit.

d. The full allowance (or a reduced amount because of a foreign pension or a welfare benefit in Greece, as described above) is paid to applicants who meet all the criteria and have completed at least35 full years of residence. The amount is reduced by 1/35 for each year below 35 years of residence in the country.

e. Their total annual individual taxable income, including income exempt from tax or taxed under a special regime, must not exceedEUR 4,320. For married applicants, their total annual family taxable income, including income exempt from tax or taxed under a special regime, must not exceedEUR 8,640.

f. Monks and nuns who live in monasteries and are supported by them, and people serving a custodial sentence, are excluded.

g. Uninsured older people and those who do not meet pension requirements are also excluded if their spouse receives a pension from any source that exceeds the allowance (418.95 EUR).The following are not included in income:

• Financial assistance granted to people with disabilities because of their disability.
• The dietary allowance granted to people with end-stage chronic renal failure and transplant recipients.
• Unemployment benefit.
• Child maintenance paid under a court decision, notarial deed or private document.

Property criteria

• Immovable property: The total taxable value of the applicant’s immovable property must not exceedEUR 90,000.
• Movable property: The presumed annual expenditure for the applicant’s movable property (private cars, commercial vehicles or motorcycles) must not exceedEUR 6,000.

AmountThe full monthly allowance is418.95EUR.The allowance is paid monthly to eligible applicants from the first day of the month following the month in which they apply.

An objection to a decision granting or refusing this allowance may be submitted to the objections review body within three months of the decision being notified to the applicant. The body reviews the objection in law and on its merits and must issue a decision within one month of submission.Important!

1. Uninsured older people who were already receiving an OGA benefit before 12 May 2016 under Law 1296/1982, as amended by Law 4093/2012, continue to receive it under the previous rules.
2. The allowance is not subject to a healthcare contribution. Recipients who are not covered for healthcare by another benefit are entitled to pharmaceutical and hospital care at public health facilities using their AMKA, under Law 4368/2016.
3. Under Law 4387/2016, as in force, the Social Solidarity Allowance for Uninsured Older People is exempt from taxes, fees, contributions and other deductions for the State, including the special solidarity contribution under Article 43A of Law 4172/2013 (Government Gazette A’ 167). It cannot be seized by the State or third parties and cannot be offset against certified debts owed to the State, public-law entities, local authorities, their legal entities, social security funds or credit institutions. (Law 4756/26-11-2020, Article 18)