Detailed overview of the measures

The government presented an extensive framework of interventions to support the primary sector at the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, with a focus on reducing energy costs for farmers, redistributing unused EU funds, introducing changes to the ELGA insurance regulation, and activating new financial tools for investments.

A central pillar of the package is agricultural electricity. The government announced that, through PPC (the Public Power Corporation), the GAIA tariff with a fixed price will be extended from 1 April 2026 for an additional two years, while for farmers with no overdue debts the price will be reduced to 8.5 euro cents per kilowatt-hour.

As the competent minister, Kostas Tsiaras, stressed, this is the lowest possible price within the European Union, noting that Greece is the only EU country applying a system of guaranteed prices for agricultural electricity without raising competition distortion issues. At the same time, it was clarified that all new farmers will gain the right to join the GAIA scheme, while almost all existing producers have already been included.

Special application for reduced-priced diesel at the pump

Deputy Finance Minister Thanos Petralias, referring to the government’s initiative to refund the Special Consumption Tax (SCT) on agricultural diesel directly at the pump, explained that each farmer will download a new application created through the myDATA app. The application will generate a QR code that the farmer will present at the fuel station.

Through interoperability with the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), real-time checks will confirm that:

• the customer is a farmer,
• the customer is entitled to the discount,
• the product is diesel fuel,
• and there is sufficient remaining discount balance.

The discount will be applied directly at the pump upon issuance of the invoice, which will include the QR code. For fuel station owners, a special offsetting/refund procedure for the SCT will be developed, with very short processing times.

The announcements were made jointly by Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister of Rural Development and Food Kostas Tsiaras, Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou, and Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Thanos Petralias.

Redistribution of unused basic support funds

A significant part of the measures concerns the redistribution of unused funds from the basic EU support scheme. As announced, approximately €160 million that is expected to remain unused will not be returned to Brussels, but will instead be distributed to farmers.

From this amount:

• €80 million will go to cotton and wheat producers through eco-schemes to fully cover demand, with the possible inclusion of alfalfa producers, whose trade was affected by biosecurity measures related to sheep pox.
• The remaining €80 million will be allocated to livestock farmers, with:
  • €40 million for additional basic support,
  • €40 million through eco-schemes.

Payments under eco-schemes are scheduled for the second quarter of the year, following the completion of administrative and on-site checks.

Changes to the ELGA insurance regulation

Substantial changes to the ELGA regulation were also announced. Compensation for insured damages will increase to 100% of the insured value, up from 80% today, without any increase in insurance contributions.

A new system will also be introduced whereby insurance contributions will be withheld from the basic subsidy in two stages starting at the end of 2026, ensuring universal insurance coverage for farmers, livestock breeders, and fishermen. At the same time, the maximum compensation cap will rise to €200,000, from €70,000. A second phase of dialogue with agricultural stakeholders on further amendments will also be launched.

Investments exceeding €3 billion in the primary sector

Particular emphasis was placed on investments, with the government estimating that total investment mobilization in the primary sector will exceed €3 billion, including private participation and capital leverage.

Within this framework, calls are advancing or being completed for:

• construction and modernization of greenhouses,
• improvement plans for agricultural and livestock holdings,
• the Young Farmers program, with payment of the first and second installments,
• actions to reduce the carbon footprint in arable crops,
• investments in agricultural product processing,
• support for collective schemes,
• innovation through operational groups,
• local LEADER programs,
• and education and training actions for farmers.

Agricultural Entrepreneurship Fund

Finally, the launch of the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Fund was announced following the signing of an agreement between the Ministry of Rural Development and the Hellenic Development Bank.

The initial public expenditure amounts to €160 million, more than double the originally planned budget. With leverage, total financing capacity is expected to exceed €350 million. The new financial tools include:

• guarantees for investment loans on favorable terms,
• small loans with interest-free participation and interest subsidies,
• and an innovative instrument exclusively for young farmers, combining loans with non-repayable grants and technical support.

National traceability system with barcodes for Greek products

Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou outlined the implementation of an innovative National Traceability System for Greek products, aimed at clearly identifying market practices and the true origin of goods.

As he explained, product origin is currently not clearly indicated, making both controls and consumer information difficult. For this reason, a new coding system will be introduced so that every Greek product carries a unique barcode, tracking it throughout its journey “from field to shelf.” This will make it possible to know how many products on store shelves are genuinely Greek and how many carry imported barcodes.

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Government announcements for farmers
Press conference on the detailed rollout of support measures for farmers at the offices of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

The government’s interventions to support the primary sector were presented by Vice President of the Government Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister of Rural Development and Food Kostas Tsiaras, Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou, and Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Thanos Petralias.

Tsiaras: The measures are costed, the goal is the sustainability of agricultural production
Kostas Tsiaras states that today a package is being presented that concerns all farmers in the country and is not limited to managing the present, but to building a sustainable future for agricultural production, with dialogue on the new CAP, training, and the climate crisis, nationwide conferences with farmers, the aim of strengthening the international position of Greek products, a return to normality, and the transition from a benefits-based policy to development, with costed measures for increased income and added value. If anyone proposes additional measures, they should submit them with full costing.

2. Extension by PPC of fixed-price coverage under the GAIA tariff for 2 years and price reduction
• Under the GAIA tariff, PPC extends fixed-price coverage for 2 years starting on 1 April 2026.
• For those with no overdue debts, the price is reduced to 8.5 euro cents/kWh.
• Greece is the only country in the EU applying a guaranteed-price system – this is the lowest possible price so as not to raise competition issues.
• All new farmers will have the right to participate in GAIA – almost all others have already joined.

07/01/2026 12:57

1. Redistribution of unallocated resources from the basic income support
From the outset, we said that any resources left unallocated from the basic income support would be distributed to farmers. They will not be returned to Brussels.
It is estimated that around €160 million will remain from the basic income support.

Cotton producers and cereal growers will receive €80 million through eco-schemes, to fully cover the relevant demand. Naturally, we are also examining the case of alfalfa producers, whose marketing was affected by biosecurity measures related to sheep pox.

Livestock farmers will receive €80 million:
• €40 million in additional basic income support
• €40 million through eco-schemes, to fully cover the relevant demand

Payment of the eco-schemes will be made within the second quarter, following the completion of the required administrative and on-site checks.

07/01/2026 12:56

The measures for farmers

07/01/2026 12:55

Tsiaras: The truth about the EU–Mercosur agreement

1. Regarding the EU–Mercosur agreement, a political framework was established in 2019 under the SYRIZA government.
2. Greek exports to Mercosur countries amount to €34 million.
3. 21 Greek PDO products will be protected against imitations (e.g. feta, olive oil, Kozani saffron, Chios mastic) – therefore there is scope for sales at higher prices.
4. We are claiming:

• Clear and functional safeguard clauses.
• Strict enforcement of the rules and continuous monitoring of the impact on European production.
• Application of equal competitive conditions in practice.

5. The safeguard clauses within the framework of an EU Regulation were voted for in the European Parliament ONLY by ND MEPs.
6. In addition, we are seeking the redirection of additional resources for the CAP within the Multiannual Financial Framework and the Unity Safety Net to address disruptions in the agricultural products market.

11. Reform of the farmers’ income tax scale
from the 2026 tax year, with emphasis on families with children and young people

07/01/2026 12:53

10. 50% reduction in 2026 and abolition in 2027 of ENFIA
Applies to primary residences in settlements with a population of up to 1,500 inhabitants (and up to 1,700 in Evros, Western Macedonia, etc.)

07/01/2026 12:53

9. Refund of the Special Consumption Tax on diesel fuel to farmers from 2022 – from 11/2025 the refund is set at 150% of the upper limits

07/01/2026 12:52

8. From 2025, the possibility of restructuring non-performing loans of farmers and agricultural cooperatives under special liquidation was legislated

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7. “GAIA” tariff, legislated in April 2024

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6. Increase from 2024 of the maternity allowance for farmers to 9 months, at the level of the minimum wage

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5. Reduction of VAT on agricultural machinery from 24% to 13% from 2023

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4. Suspension for the tax years 2019–2022, and permanent abolition from 2023 of the business levy for professional farmers under the standard regime and for fishermen

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3. Reduction of VAT on fertilizers from 13% to 6% from 2022

07/01/2026 12:51

2. 50% reduction of income tax for professional farmers
Applies to those who market their products through cooperatives or contract farming schemes from 2022.

A new tax scale was legislated for individuals and professional farmers, which was applied for the first time in 2021, with rates starting at 9% instead of 22%.

07/01/2026 12:51

1. Reduction of VAT on animal feed from 13% to 6% from 2021

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11 initiatives to support farmers and boost their income

07/01/2026 12:51

The measures announced by the government, one by one

07/01/2026 12:46
Kostas Tsiaras takes the floor

07/01/2026 12:42
Chatzidakis: Mitsotakis’ proposal for a cross-party committee is a major opportunity
Kostis Chatzidakis notes that the cross-party committee represents a major opportunity for a dynamic agricultural sector within the framework of the new CAP.

07/01/2026 11:32
Hatzidakis: We will receive the same funds from the EU as last year
Kostis Hatzidakis said there was a one-month delay in agricultural payments compared to 2024, which began this year at the end of November following a letter to the European Commission. He clarified that Greece is receiving the same EU funds for direct payments, while the additional amounts in 2025 come from ELGA and other national measures.

07/01/2026 12:23
€3.82 billion to farmers in 2025

07/01/2026 12:22
Hatzidakis: ND took responsibility for OPEKEPE
Kostis Hatzidakis stressed that the agricultural issue is at the forefront, noted that the government and New Democracy have taken responsibility regarding OPEKEPE, and underlined that payments to farmers in 2025 amount to €3.82 billion.

07/01/2026 12:21
Mitsotakis: €45 billion from the EU for farmers
Kyriakos Mitsotakis made a post referring to the initiative of the President of the European Commission for the immediate mobilization of significant resources for the agricultural sector, emphasizing the importance of supporting Greek farmers and Greece’s role in European decision-making.

07/01/2026 11:29
Subsidy for livestock
The package also includes an additional €160 million subsidy for income and livestock losses, as well as 100% compensation from ELGA for insured damages. At the same time, the presence of the Minister of Digital Governance is linked to a new application for tracing potential illegal “Greekizations,” which are considered a serious problem for Greek livestock farming.

07/01/2026 11:27
Agricultural diesel
Regarding agricultural diesel, the creation of a special digital application is planned, which will take into account each farmer’s consumption in previous years. Through this system, diesel will be sold at the pump with the Special Consumption Tax deducted, while until recently a revision of the subsidized liters per crop—unchanged since 2015—was also being considered.

07/01/2026 11:27
Agricultural electricity
A central element of the package is the new regulation for agricultural electricity, providing for an even lower price—down to 8.2 euro cents per kilowatt-hour—for a two-year period, as well as the possibility of rejoining the “GAIA” program for farmers who had lost eligibility.

07/01/2026 11:27
Measures aimed at road blockades
The package of government measures is not negligible, and for the first time it appears that government officials will capture the attention of the road blockades, which are waiting to hear the detailed measures.

07/01/2026 11:26
Today shortly after 12:00 – announcements for farmers
Shortly after noon, a government quartet consisting of Vice President Kostis Hatzidakis, Minister of Rural Development Kostas Tsiaras, Minister of Digital Governance Dimitris Papastergiou, and Deputy Finance Minister Thanos Petralias is expected to announce and detail a framework of several interventions aimed at supporting the primary sector.