Greece: On day 1, over 175,000 sign up for state program to help with household expenses

ATHENS 

Over 175,000 Greek citizens have signed up for a government program to help alleviate some of the spiraling costs of household goods, according to official data on Tuesday, when the program opened, with the number still climbing.

The conservative government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced earlier this year that the Market Pass program would help households cover the recent spike in essential goods.

Starting Tuesday, citizens can submit an application to receive the financial aid, designed to cover part of the costs from February to July 2023.

According to the government, the program would cover 85% of the population.

The government said the program aims to ease the consequences of the rising consumer price index.

The aid amounts to 10% of the monthly sum of purchases starting from €22 per month for single-member households and rising by €10 for each additional member of the household.

The country’s official statistical authority said annualized food costs jumped 15.2 % last month compared to last year.

• Greece
• Greek economy
• Market Pass