Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis outlined new government measures to support ferry services, tackle rising energy costs and provide financial assistance to households in his weekly Sunday review on 15 November 2026.
He also covered developments in the economy, healthcare, transport and defence, alongside progress on the planned electricity interconnection between Greece and Cyprus.
€32m Support Package for Ferry Services
Of particular importance to island residents was the announcement of a new €32 million support package for ferry services, aimed at keeping ticket prices affordable and maintaining regular connections, especially during the winter months.
According to the Prime Minister, the funding will also cover subsidised routes serving remote islands, although the measure remains subject to European Commission approval.
Mitsotakis said the government's objective was to maintain affordable fares and reliable year-round services, particularly during winter, when ferries are the only means of transport connecting many island communities with the rest of Greece.
Heating Allowance of up to €1,560
The Prime Minister confirmed that applications are now open through the Independent Authority for Public Revenue's (AADE) myThermansi platform, with a deadline of 4 December.
This year's heating allowance has increased by 30%, with the maximum payment reaching €1,560. Approximately 1.2 million households are expected to benefit.
The first payments are scheduled to be made by 23 December. The allowance covers various types of domestic heating, with the amount awarded depending on the applicable eligibility criteria.
Additional €1,000 Student Grants Through OPEKA
Mitsotakis also announced an increase in the number of student grants awarded through the Agricultural Welfare Account of OPEKA, Greece's welfare benefits organisation, from 2,106 to 2,497.
The measure will provide an additional 391 students who entered public universities this year with grants of €1,000 each, bringing total funding to approximately €2.5 million.
Priority will be given to families with three or more children.
Economic Performance and Tax Relief
Turning to the economy, the Prime Minister said Greek exports reached €41.86 billion during the first nine months of 2026, representing a 15.9% increase compared with the same period last year.
He also highlighted the passage of legislation introducing tax reductions and measures to support household incomes.
Among the provisions is a reduction in VAT on menstrual products and incontinence pads from 24% to 13%, effective from 1 January 2027.
Other measures outlined include tax relief for families with three children and farmers, additional financial support for public-sector employees, adjustments to disability benefits and reductions in social security contributions.
Healthcare, Rail Safety and New Investments
In healthcare, Mitsotakis referred to the introduction of a new treatment option for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, made available through cooperation between Greece's National Organisation for Medicines (EOF), the National Organisation for Healthcare Services Provision (EOPYY) and the Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Technology (IFET).
On rail transport, he presented the new digital platform railway.gov.gr, which, according to the government, uses satellite data to monitor trains in real time and improve railway safety.
In defence, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of the Armed Forces' new Space Operations Command.
He also referred to a €35 million investment by the Hellenic Innovation and Infrastructure Fund in satellite technology company ICEYE, which is planning to establish a new manufacturing facility in Greece.
Hydrocarbon Exploration and the Crete–Cyprus Electricity Interconnector
Mitsotakis also announced the completion of the bidding process for seismic surveys in offshore areas of western and southern Greece, with three international companies submitting offers.
The bids will now be assessed by a committee of the Hellenic Hydrocarbons and Energy Resources Management Company (HEREMA).
Finally, the Prime Minister confirmed that permits had been issued for survey work and cable-laying operations for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), the planned electricity connection between Crete and Cyprus, together with the relevant maritime navigational warning (Navtex).
He maintained that the project was progressing with full respect for Greece's sovereign rights, adding that political party leaders had been briefed on developments by the Foreign Minister.
