DYPA's new Social Tourism Programme 2026-2027 began on Tuesday, April 21st, gradually accepting applications depending on the VAT's last digit. The program offers 300,000 cheques worth 50m euros and starts on 18 May 2026 with a duration of 13 months. Beneficiaries can make up to 10 free nights on islands such as Leros, Mytilini, Chios, Kos, Samos and Rhodes, while in Northern Evia, Evros and Thessaly they offer up to 12 nights. A new element is the exclusion of many children from the division and increased subsidy by 20% in August, Christmas and Easter.
Analyticalally:
Premiere made Tuesday (21/04) the new Social Tourism Programme Workers and Unemployed persons 2026-2027 of the Public Employment Service (DYPA) and already the platform has begun to accept applications from beneficiaries with VAT ending in 0.
Over the next few days the platform will gradually open to all beneficiaries depending on the last digit of their VAT, as follows:
- Last digit VAT: 0 – Tuesday, 21.04.2026
- Last digit VAT: 1, 2 – Wednesday, 22.04.2026
- Last digit VAT: 3, 4 – Thursday, 23.04.2026
- Last digit VAT: 5, 6 – Friday, 24.04.2026
- Last digit VAT: 7, 8, 9 – Saturday, 25.04.2026
- All VAT – Sunday, 26.04.2026
Who will take a free vacation?
Up to 10 nights free of charge with zero private participation can be held by the beneficiaries in the islands of Leros, Mytilene, Chios, Kos, Samos & Rhodes, while in the municipalities of Northern Evia and Evros as well as in Thessaly, except Sporades, they can make up to 12 nights free.
Applications shall be submitted via gov.gr to:
https://www.gov.gr/ipiresies/ergasia-kai-asphalise/apozemioseis-kai-parokhes/koinonikos-tourismos
Specifically the route is: Home – Work and insurance – Compensation and Benefits – Social Tourism Programs (DYPA).
What changes this year?
The programme will begin on 18 May 2026, earlier than any other time, will last 13 months and will concern 300,000 vouchers, with a budget of EUR 50 million.
With the check, which is a unique number for each beneficiary and benefiting individually, beneficiaries may make up to 6 nights in accommodation chosen by the «Register of Providers» DYPA, after consultation, with a small private participation.
Subsidies are increased by 20% for the peak month, August, as well as for Christmas periods (15.12.2026 to 14.01.2027) and Easter (23.04.2027 to 09.05.2027).
The increased subsidy is valid throughout the year for accommodation in Northern Evia, Evros and Thessaly, except in Sporades.
In addition to staying in tourist accommodation, ferry tickets are provided. Participation is 25%, and for disabled persons tickets are free.
For the first time this year, multiple parents are excluded from the process of Partitionation and participate in the program, provided they meet the conditions for participation.
They cannot participate in the programme of workers and unemployed people who are subsidized by another institution's social tourism programme for the same period, as well as those who, apart from disabled and very young parents, received a check in the 2025-2026 programme.
