The level of electricity subsidies for businesses has been finalized. In the first ten days of May, the HEDNO (Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator) platform will open for the submission of related applications.

Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou and Deputy Minister Nikos Tsafos announced the terms and conditions for the subsidies, covering the period from December 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025.

Mr. Papastavrou clarified that businesses found to have engaged in electricity theft will be excluded from receiving subsidies.

The subsidy framework targets businesses with an annual turnover of up to €10 million, covering more than 1 million businesses.

To clarify the subsidy parameters, the Ministry answered 10 key questions:

1. Who is eligible for the measure?
More than 1 million legal or natural persons engaged in business activity are eligible, provided the following criteria are met:

• Turnover up to €10 million based on 2023 income declaration (E3 Form, Code 047).
• They are on variable electricity pricing contracts (green or yellow-coded).
• They had at least one active electricity supply (commercial or industrial use) during the support period, as recorded in HEDNO’s registry.
• They are legal entities (S.A., Ltd., General Partnership, Limited Partnership, Private Company, Sole Proprietorship) or freelancers.
• They have reported their Tax ID (AFM) to both HEDNO and their electricity supplier.
• They have either fully paid or do not have outstanding debts related to verified electricity thefts for any electricity supply tied to their Tax ID for the consumption period from 01.01.2020 onward.

To receive the full subsidy amount, under EU de minimis rules, the total amount of aid received (including this subsidy) must not exceed €300,000 over any three-year period.

2. What period does the subsidy cover?
Electricity consumption from December 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025.

This business subsidy scheme follows previous electricity subsidies provided to residential consumers, including Social Residential Tariff recipients.

3. What is the amount of the subsidy?
The subsidy is €0.02/kWh (€20/MWh), reflecting the average price increase during Dec 2024–Feb 2025 compared to other months of 2024.

Businesses are grouped into 3 categories based on 2023 turnover:

• Group 1: Turnover from €0 to €500,000 → Subsidy applies to 100% of consumption.
• Group 2: Turnover from €500,000.01 to €1,000,000 → Subsidy applies to 80% of consumption.
• Group 3: Turnover from €1,000,000.01 to €10,000,000 → Subsidy applies to 60% of consumption.

4. My business is in the bakery or cleaning services sector. Do I qualify for extra support?
Yes. Businesses with primary activity codes (KAD) 10.71 & 10.72 (bakeries, pastry production) and 96.10 (cleaning services) receive €0.04/kWh (€40/MWh) for the full consumption during the subsidy period, if turnover in 2023 did not exceed €10 million. Over 11,000 businesses fall into this category.

5. I have a fixed-rate electricity contract. Am I eligible?
No. Only businesses with variable-rate contracts are eligible. If your fixed-rate contract expired during the subsidy period and switched to variable, you will receive a proportional subsidy based on the number of eligible days.

6. What was the average increase in electricity prices during the subsidy period?
Averages rose by about €0.02/kWh during December 2024–February 2025. This increase prompted the emergency subsidy measure, particularly to support small and energy-intensive businesses like bakeries and laundromats, which are eligible for double the support.

7. When will the platform open, and what is the application process?
In early May, businesses can apply via a special online portal developed by HEDNO. Representatives must log in using the business’s TaxisNet credentials and consent to data processing for subsidy review.

8. What documents are required? Do I need to submit energy bills?
No additional documents are needed. Once logged in, the system will verify your business and primary activity code. If eligible, you can select which electricity supply number(s) to include in the application. The system will automatically recognize active supplies during the subsidy period.

9. How will I receive the subsidy?
The calculated subsidy will be credited to your electricity bill (settlement or advance invoice) by your electricity provider after the application deadline and data verification. Most businesses will see the full quarterly subsidy within days of platform closure.

10. I haven’t paid recent electricity bills. Will this affect my eligibility?
No. Outstanding bills do not impact your eligibility. As long as you meet the other criteria, you will receive the subsidy in your electricity bill, even if you have overdue payments.