European Large Families Confederation (ELFAC)
Greece
Policies
GREECE
(200,000 large families)
(In Greece large family means 4 children or more)
1. Regarding policies for large families at a national level, please mark the measure you have in your country:
- Direct monetary benefits
- Reduced prices on basic supplies (energy, water, etc.)
- Housing subsidies
- Reduced prices in public transportation
- Tax deductions
- Large families cards
- Longer maternity/paternity leave for large families
- Support to buy a car
- Other benefits
2. Which specific monetary allowances for large families are in your country.
There is a means-tested (for small and medium income families) cash benefit, depending on the number of children in the family. It is not specific to large families, it applies to all families.
3. Which specific fiscal deductions for large families are in your country.
There is a tax discount for all families: 900 euros for 1 child, 1120 euros for two children, 1340 for 3 children, 1580 for four children, 1780 for five children and then 220 euros more discount for each child beyond the fifth.
4. Which specific reduced prices on basic supplies for large families are in your country
For electricity bills, there is a new discount scheme, means-tested, for income up to 40.000 euros equivalent (equivalent means that you divide the income with a number which is 1 for one parent plus 1/2 for the second parent plus 1/4 for each child). In some cities, there is a discount scheme for water supply, depending on the number of children and usually on the income – it is not the same all across the country.
5. Which specific benefits are provided by the large families card in your country
50% discount in public transportation: bus and train
6. Which specific maternity or paternity benefits for large families are in your country
There is no special provision for large families. Same as for all families.
7. Which specific benefits for large families buying a car are in your country
When buying a new card, one of the taxes (around 1000 euros) is deducted for families with three or more children
8. Which specific public transportation benefits for large families are in your country
50% discount.
9. Please write any other specific deductions or benefits for large families that are in your country
There aren’t any other
10. Are any of the benefits for large families in your country connected to income? If yes, please explain.
Please see answers above.
11. Regarding policies for large families at European level, please mark the measures you have in your country
- Reduced VAT for diapers and basic goods for children
- Unpaid care of children in the household and for other dependent family members is recognized as work when calculating the national GDP
- Permit for large families with 7 and more children to drive the family van without professional driving license
- Basic consumptions tariff: water, electricity, gas, etc. is calculated taking into consideration the number of children
12. If you marked at least one of the measures mentioned above as applicable in your country, please provide details
With article 40 of law 4646/2019 from 1.1.2020, the reduced VAT rate is applied in baby and child food items and in items for baby safety and protection, i.e. absorbent diapers for babies and child car seats
(Answers provided by Supreme Confederation of Multi-Child Parents – ASPE)