The Social Tourism Program 2024-2025 by the Public Employment Service (DYPA) begins accepting electronic applications on Monday, June 3 at 18:00. The program, starting on July 1, 2024, offers 300,000 vouchers. These vouchers allow beneficiaries to spend up to 6 nights in selected accommodations, with certain areas offering extended stays. Subsidized ferry tickets are also available. Beneficiaries include employed individuals, insured professionals, and those unemployed for at least three months, with specific income criteria. Selection is based on objective criteria via DYPA’s Integrated Information System.

Applications are submitted online via  https://www.gov.gr/ipiresies/ergasia-kai-asphalise/apozemioseis-kai-parokhes/koinonikos-tourismosusing TAXISnet codes or through the provided email address. The platform opens gradually based on beneficiaries’ tax identification number. The social tourism budget has grown significantly, from 10 million euros in 2013 to 50 million euros projected for 2024, with notable changes including tripling the number of vouchers, subsidizing ferry tickets, extending maximum stay duration to 6 nights, reducing private participation, increasing subsidy prices, and introducing special schemes for affected areas and specific groups like people with disabilities and single parents.

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For people with special capabilities, there’s an additional opportunity for participation each year, with the right to a companion and zero private participation in ferry tickets, without penalty if the vouchers aren’t used. Parents receive increased scoring for each underage child. Increased scoring is provided for beneficiaries with lower incomes. The most significant changes in the new 2024-2025 program include a budget increase from €35,000,000 to €50,000,000. – Thessaly (excluding Sporades) added to the special scheme of 12 free nights and enhanced provider subsidy. – Increased subsidy rates for all accommodation categories. –  for those who haven’t received vouchers in the past or didn’t receive one due to scoring in the last two programs. – Creation of a provider registry automatically including providers from the previous program.

How much can a family benefit from the 2024 program?

For instance, a family of four staying in a 5-star hotel in Crete for 6 nights starting July 1st will receive a subsidy of €840 for the hotel (€35 x 6 nights x 4 persons) and €200 for ferry tickets (€50 x 4 persons). Total: €1,040. If the stay is in August, the subsidy will be increased by 20%, totaling €1,008 for the hotel (€42 x 6 nights x 4 persons). For a 12-night stay in North Evia in the same hotel category, the subsidy will be €2,688 (€56 x 12 nights x 4 persons). If they choose a 3-star hotel, the subsidy will be €2,064 (€43 x 12 nights x 4 persons).