Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.
Overview of measures by country
Eurofound has identified 133 measures in Greece in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the digital transformation, the green transition, and companies undergoing restructuring. Most cases fall into the category Supporting businesses to stay afloat with 39 cases (29%). The data collection to date started in March 2020, and data are updated at regular intervals.
This overview was prepared by Elena Kousta (INE GSEE) and Eurofound.
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
16 April 2020 Updated |
Operation of businesses with safe operation staff
Mobilisation of a larger workforce |
16 April 2020 |
Lifting of overtime work restrictions, extension of working hours during Sundays and leave for specific businesses
Change of work arrangements (working time, rota schemes) |
16 April 2020 |
Extraordinary financial support to personnel of public health and civil protection institutions
Remuneration and rewards for workers in essential services |
29 November 2020 |
Transfer of annual leave 2020 for employees with suspended employment contracts
Change of work arrangements (working time, rota schemes) |
Company practices |
11 September 2020 |
Bonuses from supermarket chains to reward their employees.
Remuneration and rewards for workers in essential services |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
04 April 2020 Updated |
Outstanding tax payments postponed to October
Deferral of payments or liabilities |
14 December 2021 |
Fixed cost subsidy for companies financially affected by the pandemic
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
15 December 2021 |
State aid to support companies in the Regional Unit of Evia
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
23 June 2022 Updated |
Short-term Export Credit Insurance Scheme
Measures related to foreign trade |
19 April 2021 |
Programme for subsidising fixed business costs
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
20 October 2020 Updated |
Working capital grants for micro and small enterprises
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
13 July 2020 |
Suspension of VAT payment for construction work on hotel accommodation
Deferral of payments or liabilities |
05 January 2021 |
E-Commerce Platforms' Funding via EU NSRF
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
16 April 2020 Updated |
Repayable state cash advance aid scheme for companies with less than 500 employees
Access to finance |
04 April 2020 Updated |
Reduced lease payments for commercial leases and primary residences as well as for financial lease
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
04 April 2020 Updated |
Acceleration of income tax and VAT refund
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
16 April 2020 Updated |
Subsidy of interest costs for performing loans
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
05 April 2020 Updated |
Deductions from assessed tax liabilities for companies retaining employees
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
16 April 2020 Updated |
VAT reduction from 24% to 6% for products needed to protect against COVID-19
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
16 April 2020 Updated |
New loans through the entrepreneurship fund of the Hellenic development Bank
Access to finance |
Company practices |
04 February 2021 |
MYTILINEOS: Changes to the operational plan to face the COVID-19 pandemic
Other |
05 February 2021 |
Chandris Hotels: Complete crisis-handling business plan
Other |
Other initiatives or policies |
17 May 2022 |
Financial aid for farmers
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
31 August 2022 |
Financial support for the Media
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
20 February 2023 |
Extraordinary grant for fur companies
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
05 October 2021 |
European Commission approves €500 million Greek aid scheme for businesses
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
27 June 2023 |
State subsisy of nationwide television stations
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
29 June 2023 |
Digital transformation of businesses
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
29 August 2022 |
Subsidization of distribution and newsprint paper costs
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
16 September 2021 |
Subsidy for fishermen due to the temporary cessation of activity
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
04 August 2021 |
Working capital subsidy for companies affected by the pandemic in the tourism and hospitality sector – Restart Tourism
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
06 August 2021 Updated |
Support for start-ups of the National Register "Elevate Greece"
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
05 August 2021 |
Subsidy for catering companies to purchase heating equipment for outdoor services
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
05 August 2021 |
SME subsidy for the development of online e-retail
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
05 August 2021 |
Subsidy for Self-Employed Lawyers
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
05 August 2021 |
Subsidy to Existing Businesses of Gyms, Playgrounds
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
05 July 2023 |
Green Productive Investment of SME
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
17 May 2021 |
Grant of working capital to catering companies for the supply of raw materials - Restart of catering
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
13 April 2021 |
Government’s financial support to theaters, music scenes and performance venues
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
09 April 2021 Updated |
Gefira II (Bridge II) - State contribution to the tranches for the payment of business or professional debts of all types
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
10 September 2020 |
SMEs memorandum on saving businesses, maintaining jobs and ensuring social cohesion
Other |
04 September 2020 |
Joint statement of peak level employer’s organizations for the support of businesses and workers
Other |
16 September 2021 |
Financial support for aquaculture companies
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
06 July 2023 |
Green Transformation of SMEs
Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
16 April 2020 Updated |
Payment of Easter bonus may be deferred by companies affected by the pandemic
Wage flexibility |
16 April 2020 |
State pays part of the Easter bonus for employees with suspended employment contracts
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
10 July 2020 Updated |
'SYNERGASIA': Income support for employees working fewer hours
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
10 July 2020 Updated |
Support measures regarding seasonal employees
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
10 December 2020 |
Replacing the house quarantine period with overtime work
Replacing the house quarantine period with overtime work
Working time flexibility |
23 June 2022 Updated |
Wage guarantee in case of insolvency
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
23 June 2022 Updated |
Organisation of working time
Working time flexibility |
23 June 2022 Updated |
Temporary suspension of employee's contracts
Income support for people in employment (e.g., short-time work) |
23 June 2022 Updated |
Rotating employment
Working time flexibility |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
16 April 2020 Updated |
Transfer of personnel to companies within the same group
Transfer or redeployment of workers |
Company practices |
08 June 2020 Updated |
COVID-19 Response Greece initiative - community of volunteers
Change of production/Innovation |
06 February 2021 |
LARIPLAST S.A.: Reorientation of production due the COVID-19 pandemic
Change of production/Innovation |
06 February 2021 |
Retail: “Click away” shopping during Christmas period
Change of production/Innovation |
Other initiatives or policies |
29 June 2023 Updated |
Green Economy Productive Investments - Produc-E Gree
Change of production/Innovation |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
16 April 2020 Updated |
State income benefit to support freelancers, self-employed and sole proprietors
Extensions of income support to workers not covered by any kind of protection scheme |
16 April 2020 |
Workers belonging to the COVID-19 risk group may abstain from work
Paid sick leave |
16 April 2020 Updated |
Special purpose leave for working parents
Support for parents and carers (financial or in kind) |
16 April 2020 Updated |
Extension of expired or expiring unemployment benefit payments
Income support for unemployed |
16 April 2020 Updated |
Financial support for suspended and dismissed employees
Income support for unemployed |
10 July 2020 Updated |
Financial support for seasonal employees who are not re-hired in 2020
Extensions of income support to workers not covered by any kind of protection scheme |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
16 April 2020 Updated |
e-prescriptions and delivery of pharmaceutical products to patients via courier
Access to healthcare |
20 May 2022 |
Integration of Ukrainian refugee children into the Greek education system
Access to childcare and education |
18 May 2022 |
Reception and accommodation centres for Ukrainian refugees
Keeping or obtaining a safe home |
06 May 2022 |
Access to the labour market and medical care for Ukrainian refugees
Other humanitarian measures |
21 December 2021 |
Scheme to protect primary residences
Protection of vulnerable groups (beyond employment support) |
30 September 2021 |
Emergency public health protection measures
Keeping or obtaining a safe home |
29 November 2020 |
Setting of a maximum profit margin for health related products and services
Access to healthcare |
05 October 2021 |
Freedom Pass: Data
Keeping or obtaining a safe home |
01 October 2020 Updated |
Renewal of the validity of the disability certificates and the payment of benefits
Protection of vulnerable groups (beyond employment support) |
16 April 2020 Updated |
Athens home care programme for people in need
Provision of services in kind (e.g. food vouchers) |
16 April 2020 Updated |
Strengthening municipal social policy and solidarity: Help at home programme
Provision of services in kind (e.g. food vouchers) |
16 April 2020 Updated |
Additional housing allowance scheme
Keeping or obtaining a safe home |
16 April 2020 Updated |
Shelter in Athens to open for the homeless
Protection of vulnerable groups (beyond employment support) |
29 November 2020 Updated |
'Bridge Programme' for the support of mortgage loan borrowers
Preventing over-indebtedness |
Company practices |
05 February 2021 Updated |
Cosmote: Digital services to customers and citizens during the pandemic
Provision of services in kind (e.g. food vouchers) |
Other initiatives or policies |
07 February 2021 |
“Alliance against COVID”: Joint action by the social partners GSEE and GSEVEE and the radio station Alpha989
Protection of vulnerable groups (beyond employment support) |
07 November 2023 |
State aid measures for flood victims
Other humanitarian measures |
10 May 2022 |
Government funding of NGOs for actions to address the pandemic
Access to healthcare |
10 May 2022 |
Government funding for purchasing ambulances
Access to healthcare |
20 May 2022 |
Psychosocial support for Ukrainian refugees: A telephone hotline
Other humanitarian measures |
28 February 2023 |
Integration of Ukrainian refugees in the HELIOS support program
Other humanitarian measures |
17 October 2023 |
State aid measures for fire-stricken areas
Other humanitarian measures |
26 February 2024 |
Price reductions on supermarket products
Other |
Legislations or other statutory regulations |
|
---|---|
16 April 2020 Updated |
Suspension of employment contracts
Flexibilisation and security |
16 September 2022 |
Power pass: emergency financial support for household electricity
Support for energy bills |
31 August 2022 |
Energy saving plan in the public sector
Retrofitting buildings |
23 June 2022 Updated |
Transfer of personnel to companies within the same group
Flexibilisation and security |
23 June 2022 Updated |
LAEK, Special Fund for the Employment and Vocational Training
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
24 May 2022 Updated |
Electricity subsidy for companies
Support for energy bills |
20 May 2022 Updated |
Subsidised natural gas for households and businesses
Support for energy bills |
20 May 2022 Updated |
Electricity subsidy for consumers
Support for energy bills |
19 September 2022 |
Special levy on electricity producers
Support for energy bills |
13 May 2022 Updated |
Subsidy for fuels for low- to medium-income individuals and taxi services
Support for fuel expenses |
23 December 2020 |
Replacing the house quarantine period with overtime work
Flexibilisation and security |
21 October 2020 |
Subsidy for 100,000 recruitments of unemployed
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
16 April 2020 |
Prohibition of dismissal of employees
Flexibilisation and security |
16 April 2020 |
Distance learning introduced for public training programmes
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
16 April 2020 Updated |
Training voucher of €600 for specific professionals
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
18 May 2022 |
Obligation to declare stocks of basic goods to avoid profiteering
Other |
Other initiatives or policies |
22 February 2024 |
Changing devices for businesses
Financing the green transition |
22 February 2024 |
Infrastructure Readiness for Smart Buildings (Smart Readines
Retrofitting buildings |
19 February 2024 |
Public Transport - Electromobility
Sustainable mobility |
19 February 2024 |
Training 50,000 unemployed persons in green and digital skills
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
03 July 2023 |
Subsidising work in Western Macedonia and the Peloponnese
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
29 June 2023 Updated |
Save/renovate my home – for young people
Support for spending, stimulus packages |
28 June 2023 |
Recycle - Change water heater
Support for spending, stimulus packages |
27 February 2023 |
Training of 150,000 workers in digital and green skills
Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.) |
26 February 2023 |
Extraordinary financial support for vulnerable groups
Increasing income in general |
26 February 2023 |
Digital Tools for SMEs
Support for spending, stimulus packages |
20 February 2023 Updated |
'Saving - Autonomy' programme for residential buildings' energy upgrade
Support for spending, stimulus packages |
20 February 2023 |
Market Pass: food subsidy
Support for other basic items (e.g., food, housing, public transport, medicines) |
20 February 2023 Updated |
Household Basket
Support for other basic items (e.g., food, housing, public transport, medicines) |
19 September 2022 Updated |
Subsidy to replace old electric appliances
Support for energy bills |
23 February 2024 |
Green taxis
Sustainable mobility |
13 May 2022 |
Ad-hoc financial support for vulnerable groups
Increasing income in general |
26 February 2023 |
Development of Digital Products and Services
Support for spending, stimulus packages |
12 March 2024 |
Photovoltaic panels on rooftop
Financing the green transition |
30 January 2023
Governments across the EU continue to implement policies to support citizens and businesses in the face of rising food and energy prices caused by the COVID-19 crisis and intensified by the war in Ukraine. This article summarises the policy responses as reported in Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch database from January to September 2022.
Article12 September 2022
Although the worldwide pandemic situation had already disrupted supply chains and triggered increases in energy and food prices in 2021, the situation deteriorated in 2022 with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Article12 September 2022
This article summarises the first policy responses that governments across the EU have started to implement to support companies affected by the rising prices, and those with commercial ties to Ukraine, Russia or Belarus.
Article5 July 2022
This article summarises the first policy responses of EU Member States, including those of the social partners and other civil society actors, enabling refugees to exercise their rights under the Temporary Protection Directive.
ArticleDisclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.