Two new employment programs by the Hellenic Public Employment Service (DYPA) offer strong incentives to businesses to hire unemployed individuals aged 30+ and 50+, providing substantial wage subsidies and coverage of labor costs.
🔹 Program 1: Gaining Professional Experience for Unemployed Individuals Aged 30+
Businesses can now apply for the new “Professional Experience Program”, offering full (100%) funding and monthly compensation of €704 for six months. The initiative targets unemployed people aged 30+, with at least a secondary education, who wish to gain hands-on professional experience in private-sector enterprises.
The program has a total budget of €220 million, with the goal of creating 50,000 new employment opportunities.
Priority is given to the following groups:
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Long-term unemployed (24+ months)
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Unemployed women
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Unemployed individuals affected by or at risk of poverty
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Middle-aged unemployed individuals (45–64 years old)
Duration & Compensation:
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6 months of employment
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6 hours per day, 5 days per week
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€704 net per month
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Full insurance coverage (EFKA & occupational risk)
Benefits for businesses:
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Completely free participation (100% subsidy)
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Opportunity to hire new staff at no cost
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Enhancement of corporate social responsibility and employer brand
🔹 Program 2: Employment Subsidy for Unemployed Individuals Aged 50+
The second program targets unemployed individuals aged over 50 and offers businesses a subsidy covering 50% to 80% of the total employment cost (salary and social security contributions). The maximum subsidy amount is €1,004.80 per month, for a duration of 18 months.
The total budget of the program amounts to €73.47 million and aims to create 5,000 new full-time jobs in the private sector.
Benefits for businesses:
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Up to 80% coverage of wage costs
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Long-term support for 18 months
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Enhancement of experience and stability within the workforce
🔹 Participation process
In both programs, the process is simple and fully digital. Businesses submit their applications online through gov.gr, specifying the job positions and required qualifications they wish to offer. DYPA then verifies eligibility and matches suitable candidates to the available positions.
🚀 AFS by your side every step of the way
AFS is here to guide you every step of the way throughout the entire application processfrom the eligibility check to successful enrollment in the program — and, of course, to support you along the way after the approvalat every stage of implementation
Because at AFS, we believe that investing in people is the most meaningful form of growth.
