In a speech at the 2nd Imerisia Economic Conference, Greece's Ministry of National Economy and Finance said a bill to address illegal gambling will be released for public consultation in the following week and will also carry a EUR 800 million supplementary budget together with most of the temporary and permanent support measures announced recently. The package was presented as a targeted response to higher energy costs and international uncertainty, and the minister also said Greece has revised 2026 growth down to 2% from 2.4%, expects a temporary rise in inflation, and has revised up 2027 growth and investment while revising down 2027 inflation. Measures outlined in the speech include a EUR 150 payment per child with wider income criteria, broader eligibility for the annual rent refund, and reimbursement of two rents for doctors, teachers and nurses serving away from their place of residence. The draft would also ban new short-term rental licences in central Thessaloniki immediately after enactment, raise pensioner support to EUR 300 from EUR 250, lower eligibility for widows whose only pension is a survivor's pension to age 60 from 65, add new farmers to the GEA tariff, and tax online betting companies, which the government estimates will generate EUR 100 million in recurring annual revenue. Private debt relief measures highlighted for inclusion cover lifting bank account seizures once 25% of a debt has been repaid, extending the out-of-court mechanism to debts of EUR 5,000 to EUR 10,000 affecting about 300,000 people, and allowing up to 72 instalments for debts incurred through December 2023. A further change would let debtors seek restructuring for a primary residence separately from other assets through the same mechanism, with the haircut and monthly instalment tied to the main home's value if the debtor opts to liquidate the rest of the estate.
Ministry of National Economy and Finance (Greece) 2026-05-08
Greece's Ministry of National Economy and Finance says illegal gambling bill will enter public consultation with EUR 800 million supplementary budget and support measures
Greece’s Ministry of National Economy and Finance will release a bill on illegal gambling for public consultation, including a EUR 800 million supplementary budget with support measures targeting higher energy costs and international uncertainty. The minister outlined revised macroeconomic projections, with lower 2026 growth and a temporary inflation rise, but higher 2027 growth and investment and lower 2027 inflation. The draft bill will introduce new social benefits, tax online betting companies, and expand private debt relief, including extended out-of-court mechanisms and more flexible primary residence restructuring.