The government is expected to present its revised benefits policy in the summer. With no budgetary room to increase the sum offered, it is eyeing the optimum targeting of social groups where the biggest problem is found: Single-parent families, single-person households, as well as under-18s. Already, in addition to the crediting of 50% of social benefits to prepaid cards and the electronic register of social benefit beneficiaries in order to improve targeting, the utilization of the fiscal space available resulting from the reduction in the number of beneficiaries is also being considered in order to increase the amounts granted, especially with regard to child benefit.
Greece’s 2025 budget includes 2.95 billion euros for interventions related to raising disposable income, exercising social policy and dealing with the low demographic issue.
According to the budget, several actions are planned as of the new year by the National Economy and Finance Ministry. They include a reduction of 1 percentage point in the cost of insurance contributions as of January 1, split between employees and their employers (0.50% reduction, each). The annual net cost for 2025 is calculated at €440 million.
The budget also renders the return of the special consumption tax on fuel for farmers into a permanent measure; it will be based on real consumption, with a cost of €100 million in 2025.
It raises pensions based on the changing rates of inflation and GDP. The cost is an additional €398 million in 2025. All civil servants will get a raised salary base as of April 2025, so that the entry-level wages are not below the minimum of a private sector employee. This is initially expected to cost about €143 million, but the final cost depends on the final raise of the minimum wage.
Overtime for doctors will be taxed independently with 22% (cost: €40 million), while security forces (police, firefighters, coast guard, Armed Forces) will be paid more for evening shifts (cost: €25 million). Both measures will be introduced as of January 1.