Greece

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Commission has adopted support measures under the state aid Temporary Framework and EU state aid rules. These measures aim to help citizens and companies and mitigate the significant economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic:

• On 9 February 2022, the Commission approved a €31.5 million scheme to support certain agricultural producers affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictive measures put in place to limit the spread of the virus. The public support, in the form of direct grants, is open to fig, lavender, table olives, potato, tangerine and tobacco producers, and aims to help the beneficiaries address their liquidity needs and continue their activities during and after the pandemic.

• On 21 December 2021, the Commission approved a €20 million scheme to support companies active in the art and entertainment sectors in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The public support, in the form of direct grants, is open to companies managing theatres, cinemas and other cultural venues, and partially covers the ticket revenue losses incurred due to restrictions in place to limit the spread of the virus. The purpose of the scheme is to help the beneficiaries address their liquidity needs and continue their activities during and after the pandemic.

• on 14 December 2021, the Commission approved a €7.5 million scheme to support companies active in the municipalities of Mantoudi-Limni-St.Anna and Istiaia-Aidipsos in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The support, in the form of direct grants, aims to provide liquidity to companies affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions in place to limit the spread of the virus.

• on 13 December 2021, the Commission approved a €3.6 million scheme to support port authorities in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The public support, in the form of direct grants, aims to help the beneficiaries address their liquidity needs and continue their activities during and after the pandemic.

• on 13 November, a €665 million scheme implemented to support households affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was adopted to assist households at risk of losing their primary residence in repaying their mortgage loans. Similar to a previous scheme approved on 19 September 2019, the aid targets non-performing loans and covers borrowers with performing loans. On 3 November 2021, the Commission approved modifications to ensure the extension of the loan period and a reduction of the maximum aid amount per beneficiary.

• on 30 August 2021, the Commission approved a scheme to support the uncovered fixed costs of companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The support, open to companies of all sizes activating in all sectors except the financial one, has an estimated budget of up to €500 million and form of a credit dedicated for tax and social security obligations. The purpose of the scheme is to bridge liquidity shortages related to the coronavirus outbreak and support companies preserve the continuity of their economic activity during and after the pandemic.

• on 28 July 2021, the Commission approved a €130 million scheme to support micro and small enterprises affected by the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures implemented to limit the spread of the virus. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of direct grants and will consist of a fixed amount of minimum €500 and maximum €4,000, depending on the number of employees and the region of location.

• on 28 July 2021, the Commission approved a €20 million scheme to support newspapers, magazines, regional media service providers and radio stations affected by the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures implemented to limit the spread of the virus. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the public support, in the form of direct grants, aims to alleviate the economic difficulty faced the beneficiaries.

• on 26 July 2021, the Commission approved, under EU state aid rules, a €110 million scheme to compensate Athens International Airport S.A. for the damage suffered due to the coronavirus outbreak and the travel restrictions implemented to limit the spread of the virus. The support, in the form of a direct grant and a cancellation of concession fees, aims to compensate the operator of Athens international airport for the damages incurred between 23 March and 30 June 2020, as a direct result of the coronavirus outbreak and the travel restrictions in place.

• οn 6 July 2021, the Commission approved a €14 million scheme to support companies active in the art and entertainment sectors, particularly in theatre and cultural venue management, in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the support, in the form of direct grants, aims to cover the beneficiaries’ loss of revenue due to the restrictions imposed to limit the spread of the virus. The purpose of the scheme is to help the beneficiaries address their liquidity needs and ensure the continuity of their activities.

• οn 2 July 2021, the Commission approved a €20 million scheme to support pig breeders and honey producers in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the public support, in the form of direct grants, aims to partially address the loss of income suffered by the beneficiaries due to the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures implemented to limit the spread of the virus. 

• οn 1 July 2021, the Commission confirmed that modifications to an existing repayable advances scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak was in line with the state aid Temporary Framework. The scheme was initially approved in April 2020 and subsequently extended in July, November and December 2020. The latest modifications include the increase of the overall estimated budget by €1.5 billion, an extension of the aid-granting period and a change in eligibility conditions for the beneficiaries, and the modification of the rules for calculating the aid amounts.

• οn 30 June 2021, the Commission approved a €8 million scheme to support film distributors and cinemas affected by the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures implemented to limit the spread of the virus. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the public support, in the form of direct grants, aims to address the losses incurred by the beneficiaries between October and December 2020 due to the closure of cinemas.

• οn 14 June 2021, the Commission approved a €30 million Greek scheme to support businesses active in the construction sector that have been particularly affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the public support, in form of guarantees on loans and direct grants, aims to partially guarantee eligible working capital loans granted by financial intermediaries, and to also enable the subsidisation of loan guarantee premiums. 

• οn 1 June 2021, the Commission approved, under EU state aid rules, a €800 million scheme to support companies active in tourism affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the aid, in the form of direct grants, is open to companies of all sizes and aims to provide beneficiaries with working capital needed for acquiring materials necessary for their activities, to support the continuity of their economic activities.

• οn 17 May 2021, the Commission approved a €793 million support measure for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the public support, in the form of direct grants, is open to companies active in all sectors except the financial one. The aid aims to provide liquidity support to qualifying beneficiaries, to safeguard businesses against the risk of default, allowing them to preserve their economic activity and helping them recover after the coronavirus crisis.

• οn 12 May 2021, the Commission approved, under EU state aid rules, a €500 million scheme co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, meant to support companies of all sizes active in the food and beverage sector that were affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the aid, in the form of direct grants, was earmarked to provide beneficiaries with working capital for acquiring the raw materials necessary to their activities.

• οn 23 March 2021, the Commission approved a €21 million Greek scheme to support operators of tourist buses and trains affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework the support, in the form of direct grants, intends to mitigate the impact on the beneficiaries of the restrictive measures that the Greek government had to implement to limit the spread of the virus.

• οn 10 March 2021, the Commission authorised, under EU state aid rules, the extension of a Greek guarantee scheme for credit institutions, initially approved in November 2008 and extended several times. The scheme extension was approved against the backdrop of the challenging context that Greek banks are facing due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Commission found that the extension of the guarantee scheme is in line with EU State aid rules, i.e. the 2013 Banking Communication.

• οn 9 March 2021, the Commission approved a €60 million Greek scheme to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the scheme is open to all sectors except the financial, primary agriculture, fishery and aquaculture ones. The public support, in the form of direct grants, aims to ensure sufficient working capital for enterprises affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

• οn 5 March 2021, the Commission approved a Greek scheme of approximately €26 million to support enterprises active in the primary agricultural sector affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the public support, in the form of direct grants, is open to enterprises active in primary agricultural production. The purpose of the scheme is to help the beneficiaries address their liquidity needs and continue their activities during and after the outbreak.

• οn 22 February 2021, the Commission approved a €500 million Greek scheme to support small and medium-sized businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the scheme is open to small and medium-sized enterprises active in all sectors except the financial, primary agriculture, tobacco and fisheries sectors. The public support, in the form of direct grants, aims to ensure sufficient working capital for businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

• on 18 February 2021, a €19.8 million Greek scheme to support the K.T.E.L. bus companies providing both local and long-distance regular bus services within the Greek territory in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the state aid Temporary Framework, the public support, in the form of direct grants, aims to mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages that these companies are facing due to the restrictive measures imposed by the government to limit the spread of the virus.

• on 23 December 2020, a Greek grant of €120 million to Aegean Airlines to be in line with EU state aid rules. The support, in the form of one direct grant, aims to compensate the airline for the losses directly caused by the coronavirus outbreak and the travel restrictions imposed by Greece and other destination countries to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

• on 22 December, the modification of the existing Greek repayable advances scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak to be in line with the Temporary Framework. The original scheme was approved by the Commission on 7 April 2020 . The Commission approved amendments to the scheme on 31 July 2020 (SA.58047) and on 27 November 2020 (SA.59069). Greece notified further modifications to the scheme, in terms of an extending the aid grant period, changing the eligibility conditions of beneficiaries, the possibility of 50% partial repayment of the aid, and an increase in the estimated total budget of the scheme by €2.2 billion (an increase in the total budget from €3.5 billion to €5.7 billion).

• on 30 November, the modificationsof the existing Greek repayable advances scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak to be in line with the Temporary Framework. The modifications to the original scheme, approved by the Commission on 7 April 2020, were notified by Greece: an extension of the period in relation to which the aid may be granted, modifications to the eligibility conditions of the beneficiaries, and an increase in the estimated total budget of the scheme, from €2 billion to €3.5 billion.

• on 13 November, a €665 million Greek scheme implemented to support households affected by the coronavirus outbreak was in line with EU State aid rules. The current scheme was adopted to assist those households at risk of losing their primary residence in repaying their mortgage loans. Similar to a scheme approved by the Commission on 19 September 2019, the current scheme targets non-performing loans but additionally covers borrowers with performing loans. The State subsidy is for a maximum duration of nine months and has limitations as regards the amount.  Eligible for the scheme are homeowners affected by the coronavirus outbreak.​​​​​​

• on 29 October, a €7.7 million Greek schemeto support Athens Municipality micro and small companies active in the cultural sector, in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The public support, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, will take the form of direct grants aimed to mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages due to the measures imposed by the Greek government to limit the spread of the virus and to ensure economic activity continuity. The measure will help companies organise cultural events that promote the cultural assets of the city of Athens.

• on 20 October, a €39.6 million Greek scheme to support vegetable producers in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the State Aid Temporary Framework, the support will take the form of direct grants open to producers of ‘Kalamon' table olives, watermelon, and spring potatoes, as well as to producers of greenhouse crops of tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplants in Crete. The scheme aims at addressing the liquidity needs of the beneficiaries, thus helping them continue their activities during and after the coronavirus outbreak.

• on 20 October,  a €450 million Greek scheme to support companies active in the tourism, transport, construction and energy sectors that have been particularly affected by the measures imposed to limit the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. Under the State Aid Temporary Framework, the support will take the form of subsidised loans open to companies with up to 3,000 employees in the respective sectors. The scheme will be financed with the resources of the Greek State, as well as of the Greek Infrastructure Fund, which is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by the European Investment Bank.

• on 28 September 2020, a € €1.5 billion Greek scheme to support micro and small enterprises active in 12 regions affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The 12 regions concerned are Attica, Central Greece, Crete, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Epirus, Ionian Islands, North Aegean, Peloponnese, South Aegean, Thessaly, Western Greece, and Western Macedonia. The public support will take the form of direct grants for working capital as a percentage of the expenses that beneficiaries incurred in 2019. The maximum percentage of the company's expenses to be subsidised is 50%. The purpose of the scheme is to support micro and small enterprises that are facing a sudden liquidity shortage due to the coronavirus outbreak.

• οn 28 August 2020, a €150 million Greek scheme to support micro and small enterprises active in the region of Central Macedonia affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The public support, which will take the form of direct grants, will cover working capital amounting to up to 50% of the expenses borne by the beneficiaries in 2019. The purpose of the scheme is to support micro and small enterprises that are facing a sudden liquidity shortage due to the coronavirus outbreak.

• οn 3 August 2020, certain amendments to an existing Greek state aid scheme, meant to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The original scheme was approved on 7 April 2020 under case number SA.56815. Among other aspects, the modifications increase the estimated total budget of the scheme, from €1 billion to €2 billion. It is estimated that more than 100,000 companies will be able to benefit from the modification of the existing scheme.

• a €51.23 million scheme to support farmers in Greece active in the primary agricultural and livestock production in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The support, financed by the national budget, will take the form of direct grants. The scheme will be accessible to (i) primary agricultural producers and open-air markets' sellers, (ii) primary livestock producers in the sheep and goat farming sector, and (iii) primary agricultural producers active in the asparagus primary production sector. The purpose of the scheme is to address the liquidity needs of agricultural and livestock undertakings, and help them to continue their activities during and after the coronavirus outbreak.

• on 11 May 2020, a €500 million Greek scheme to support self-employed individuals, including self-employed managers of small companies in sectors affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme will provide a one-off payment of €800 per self-employed person, including self-employed managers of companies that employ less than 20 employees in sectors severely affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The measure aims at partially compensating the eligible beneficiaries for the potential loss of income due to the coronavirus outbreak.

• on 5 May 2020, a €10 million Greek State aid scheme to support companies active in the primary production of floricultural products affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The support will be accessible to companies of all sizes active in this sector in Greece, and will take the form of direct grants, aims at ensuring that those companies which are experiencing cash difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak have sufficient liquidity to maintain their activities during and after the outbreak.

• on 30 April 2020, Greece's modification of a previously approved guarantee scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak, extending its scope and increasing its budget to €2.25 billion. The support measures available under the scheme will be co-financed by EU structural funds (ESIF). The existing scheme was initially approved on 3 April 2020. Following the approval of a €2 billion Greek guarantee scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak adopted on 3 April 2020, the scheme will now be accessible to the self-employed and to undertakings in the aquaculture and agriculture sector. In addition to the issuance of partial guarantees for eligible working capital loans provided under the initial measure, the scheme will now also offer the possibility for subsidisation of the guarantee premiums for loans. The subsidisation will take the form of direct grants from the COVID-19 Guarantee Fund.

• on 3 April 2020, a Greek aid scheme to support the Greek economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. This support measure is in the form of guarantees on loans, and will be implemented through the issuance of guarantees by the Hellenic Development Bank (HDB) to financial intermediaries. The measure will partially guarantee eligible working capital loans originated by financial intermediaries, to help businesses cover immediate working capital needs. It is open to all Greek undertakings with the exception of financial intermediaries, such as banks, undertakings active in aquaculture, in agriculture and in sectors non-eligible by the European Regional Development Fund.

• on 7 April 2020, a Greek aid scheme to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The Greek support measure is a repayable advances scheme, open to companies active in all sectors and applies to the whole territory of Greece. It is targeted at companies having temporary financial difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak, as demonstrated by a significant reduction of their activity. The scheme will help to ensure that liquidity remains available in the market, to counter the damage inflicted by the outbreak and to preserve the continuity of economic activity during and after the outbreak. The repayable advances will be disbursed by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) directly to the companies, without the intermediation of banks. Support under this scheme will be granted until 31 June 2020.

• on 8 April 2020, a Greek aid scheme to support the Greek economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. This new scheme will support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) affected by the coronavirus outbreak, and takes the form of grants. It is intended to cover interest up to €800 000 per company on existing debt obligations (fixed-maturity loans, bonds or bank overdrafts) for a period of 3 months, with an option for extension for another 2 months. The scheme will apply to the whole territory of Greece and will be open to SMEs from sectors affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme is designed to support the liquidity of SMEs facing temporary difficulties as a result of the outbreak and, thus, remedy a serious disturbance in the Greek economy.