The Greek government is preparing an economic support package worth more than €1 billion to be unveiled at this year's Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), Deputy Minister of National Economy and Finance Nikos Papathanasis said on Wednesday.
Speaking on ERTnews, Papathanasis said the final decisions will be made by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, but indicated that the measures will focus primarily on the middle class, pensioners, families, young people and small and medium-sized businesses.
The announcements at TIF are expected to provide a clearer picture of the government's economic priorities for the months ahead, with household incomes and the cost of living remaining at the center of the debate.
No Recession After the Recovery Fund, Papathanasis Says
Papathanasis also dismissed concerns that the Greek economy could lose momentum once funding from the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility begins to wind down.
“There will be no recession,” he said, pointing to forecasts showing the Greek economy growing by around 2%, compared with approximately 0.9% in Europe.
According to the deputy minister, Greece has made significant progress in recent years, with unemployment falling to around 8% and more than 600,000 jobs created.
He argued that improving household finances cannot rely on benefits alone. More jobs, higher wages and lower taxes, he said, are equally important in raising disposable income over the longer term.
€23 Billion for the Next Phase of Growth
With the Recovery Fund approaching completion, the government is already turning its attention to what comes next.
A central part of that strategy is the 2026–2030 National Development Program, which is expected to mobilize €23 billion in national resources, compared with €10 billion under the previous program.
Papathanasis said the end of the Recovery Fund does not mean investment funding will dry up. Instead, Greece will move to a new mix of national and European financing tools aimed at sustaining growth and investment.
Additional resources will come from the Social Climate Fund, along with programs supporting energy resilience, housing, transport and measures to tackle energy poverty.
Housing Remains High on the Agenda
Housing is also expected to remain one of the government's main priorities, particularly as high rents continue to put pressure on young people and families.
More than 8,000 student housing units are currently under construction across Greece, according to Papathanasis, as part of what he described as the largest student accommodation program ever undertaken in the country.
He also pointed to existing housing support measures and programs designed to help younger Greeks gain access to affordable homes.
Final Decisions Rest With Mitsotakis
While Papathanasis confirmed that the TIF package will exceed €1 billion, he stopped short of giving details on individual measures.
Those decisions will ultimately be made by the Prime Minister after the government has a complete picture of the available fiscal space.
What is already clear, however, is where the emphasis will fall: middle-income households, pensioners, families, young people and small businesses are expected to be among the main beneficiaries of the measures announced in Thessaloniki.