Unemployment Benefits in Greece (τακτική επιδότηση ανεργίας)

Unemployment insurance is run by the public employment service DYPA (formerly OAED) and funded by employees' social insurance contributions. The main benefit is the regular unemployment benefit; after it, a small long-term benefit and the means-tested minimum guaranteed income may follow.

Who qualifies

• You were an employee and your contract was ended by the employer or expired; people who resign voluntarily get nothing.
• You are unemployed, able and available to work, and registered with DYPA.
• First claim: at least 125 days of insured work in the 14 months before the job ended, not counting the last 2 months. Or, if you do not meet that, 200 days in the 2 years before. In both cases you also need 80 days of work in each of the 2 previous years.
• Later claims: 125 days in the 14-month period, and no more than 400 daily benefits in the previous 4 years.
• Deadline: apply within 60 days after the job ends, online through DYPA e-services or at a DYPA office. If you apply in the first 7 days, payment starts on the 7th day after the job ended.

How much and how long (2026)

• Amount: it depends on your average gross monthly pay in the last 6 months. With €493.09 or more you get €22.60 a day, €565.00 a month; with lower pay, €423.75 or €282.50 a month. Each dependent family member adds 10%. A month is 25 daily benefits, and Christmas and Easter bonuses are added.
• Duration: 5 to 12 months, depending on the days worked: 125–149 days give 5 months, 250 days or more give 12 months.
• Back to work: if you find a job early, a work benefit pays 50% of your benefit for the rest of the period.
• Pilot scheme: since 2025 a new benefit is being tested on a randomly chosen group of claimants. It is linked to your pay and years of work, gives more support in the first months and can last up to 24 months. It may later apply to everyone.

After the benefit ends

• Long-term unemployment benefit (επίδομα μακροχρονίως ανέργων): €200 a month for Greek and EU citizens aged 20–66 who received the full 12-month benefit and have been unemployed for 12 months without a break. Family income must be no more than €10,000 a year, plus €586.08 for each child under 18. Apply within 2 months of the end of the regular benefit.
• Minimum guaranteed income (Ελάχιστο Εγγυημένο Εισόδημα), paid through OPEKA: a means-tested top-up for households living legally and permanently in Greece. The guaranteed amount for a single person is €216 a month: the 6-month income limit is €1,296 (2026). It is higher for larger households, up to €5,832 for 6 months, and there are property limits.

Common pitfalls for newcomers

• Resigning voluntarily costs you the benefit. Keep written proof that your employer ended the contract or that it expired.
• The 60-day deadline is strict. Register with DYPA as soon as the job ends.
• You must keep reporting to DYPA and accept suitable job offers. If you do not, the benefit can be stopped.

Official guidance: DYPA: unemployment benefits, Mitos: regular unemployment benefit, Ministry of Labour: pilot benefit, Mitos: minimum guaranteed income