Financial Support Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
- Financial support for deaf and hard-of-hearing people is granted, regardless of age, to those who meet all of the following conditions:
a) They have deafness or hearing loss with a disability rate of at least 67%, as established by a valid disability certification under Article 1(1) of Law 4331/2015 (A’ 69); and
b) They reside lawfully and permanently in Greece and, in addition to Greek citizens, are citizens of an EU or EEA Member State or a country covered by the European Convention ratified by Legislative Decree 4017/1959 (A’ 246); or
are repatriated expatriates, regardless of whether they have been deprived of Greek citizenship; or
are recognised refugees whose status is governed by the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (Legislative Decree 3989/1959, A’ 201), as amended by the 1967 New York Protocol (Emergency Law 389/1968, A’ 125); or
are third-country nationals who are family members of a Greek or EU citizen; or
are beneficiaries of subsidiary protection; or
hold a lawful residence permit for humanitarian reasons; and
c) They do not receive from a domestic or foreign public body financial support for the same reason (deafness or hearing loss) equal to or greater than OPEKA’s benefit. If they receive a smaller amount for the same reason, they are paid the difference. A pension from an insurance body or the State is not considered financial support; and
d) They are not outside Greece for more than six (6) months in any calendar year.
- Legal framework
Joint Ministerial Decision No. 6133/30-04-2025 (Government Gazette B’ 2086/2025).
- Supporting documents:
People receiving financial support for the same reason from another source must submit a certificate showing the start date and amount of that support.
Status
a. Greek citizens. An identity card must be submitted.
b. Citizens of European Union (EU) Member States. An EU citizen registration certificate must be submitted.
c. Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and countries covered by the European Convention ratified by Legislative Decree 4017/1959 (Government Gazette A’ 246). A valid residence permit must be submitted.
d. Recognised refugees permanently residing in Greece whose status is governed by the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (Legislative Decree 3989/1959, Government Gazette A’ 201), as amended by the 1967 New York Protocol (Emergency Law 389/1968, Government Gazette A’ 125). A recognised refugee residence permit must be submitted.
e. Third-country nationals who are family members of a Greek or EU citizen. A valid residence permit as a family member of a Greek or EU citizen must be submitted.
f. Third-country nationals who are beneficiaries of subsidiary protection. A residence permit for a beneficiary of subsidiary protection must be submitted.
g. Third-country nationals who have been granted residence status for humanitarian reasons. A residence permit for humanitarian reasons must be submitted.
