A new national food assistance system through vouchers is being implemented in Greece, with a total budget of €400 million, aiming to support households facing financial difficulties and help cover essential living needs.
The new framework was established through a Joint Ministerial Decision by the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family and the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, within Priority 6 “Food Assistance & Material Deprivation” of the “Human Resources and Social Cohesion 2021–2027” ESF Programme.
This initiative introduces, for the first time, a unified national model for food assistance, replacing fragmented procedures with a more modern and flexible support system.
What Changes with the New Food Assistance System
The most significant change concerns the way support is provided to beneficiaries.
In the past, food assistance was often distributed through predefined food packages provided by social structures. With the new model, support is now provided through vouchers, giving beneficiaries greater flexibility and autonomy.
Households can now decide:
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which products they need
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when to make their purchases
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where to buy the products they require
This approach strengthens the dignity and independence of beneficiaries, while significantly simplifying the assistance process.
Where the Vouchers Can Be Used
The financial support is provided through vouchers, in electronic or other forms, which can be used exclusively for purchasing food and essential goods.
Vouchers can be redeemed at participating retail stores such as:
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supermarkets
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fruit and vegetable markets
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food stores
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other food retail outlets
They cannot be used for:
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tobacco products
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alcoholic beverages
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gambling-related products
In addition, vouchers cannot be converted into cash and have a specific validity period.
A Unified System Across the Country
For the first time, the programme establishes a single national system for food assistance across Greece.
The centralized system ensures:
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faster implementation of financial support
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greater transparency in resource management
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reduced bureaucracy
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equal treatment of beneficiaries across all regions
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immediate access to assistance for households in need
Through this structure, social policy is implemented with common rules and equal access nationwide.
Connection with the Minimum Guaranteed Income
The new food assistance programme is directly linked to the Minimum Guaranteed Income (MGI) scheme.
Beneficiaries of the Minimum Guaranteed Income are automatically included in the food assistance programme, while additional households experiencing extreme financial hardship may also qualify following assessment by the relevant social services.
This integration creates a more comprehensive social protection framework for vulnerable households.
Retroactive Financial Support
An important element of the new system is the provision of retroactive financial support for the transition period to the new model.
This ensures that:
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no household loses the support it is entitled to
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the amounts corresponding to the transition period will be provided to beneficiaries collectively
This measure guarantees continuity in social protection and facilitates the smooth implementation of the programme.
Additional Social Inclusion Measures
Alongside food assistance, the programme also includes supportive social inclusion measures.
These initiatives aim to connect beneficiaries with services such as:
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social care services
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healthcare support
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social assistance programmes
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employment integration services
The goal is for the support to function not only as financial aid but also as a tool for social inclusion and empowerment for vulnerable households.
Application Support for the Food Assistance Programme
Athens Financial Services (AFS) provides full support for the process of participating in the food assistance voucher programme.
Our team undertakes:
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eligibility verification
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application submission
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monitoring of the application process
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updates regarding the approval status
Our goal is to ensure that the process is completed quickly, accurately and without unnecessary complications for eligible households.
Complete the form below and an AFS advisor will contact you to guide you through the process.
