Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to unveil a package of economic measures from the podium of the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair that will extend over a four-year government cycle running through 2030-2031, rather than covering only the coming year as has traditionally been the case.
The Thessaloniki International Fair, known in Greece as the DETH, is the country's largest trade exposition, held annually in the northern city of Thessaloniki. By long-standing custom, the Greek prime minister uses the fair's opening speech to set out the government's economic policy priorities.
The prime minister is expected to refer to costed and applicable measures that will be implemented immediately. According to reports, he will announce publicly, month by month, which measure will take effect, starting in November 2026.
Measures for the whole of society
The new package is aimed at the whole of the Greek population, including employees and pensioners, the self-employed and farmers, and families in particular. The measures are designed to work together with this year's tax reform so that, combined, they produce the greatest benefit for citizens.
From the DETH podium, the prime minister is expected to use the word "horizon" repeatedly as he lays out the government's growth and reform plan. At least 4.5 million households in the country are expected to see themselves reflected in the announced measures, with many social groups set to benefit from more than one measure each.
What changes for pensioners
Regarding pensioners, there are reports of a pension increase of around 2.8%, with the January pension to be paid from December, while the so-called personal difference, a top-up mechanism that has kept some pensioners' payments from falling during past reforms, is set to be abolished.
At the same time, the increase in the annual assistance payment appears set to lock in above 300 euros, with income criteria widened so that the payment reaches more people than the 1.65 million pensioners who currently receive it. There will also be a reduction in the solidarity contribution, which applies to those receiving higher pensions as well.
What applies to employees
For employees, the minimum wage increase is expected to take effect from April, and it will also apply to all public sector employees, who will receive the same amount horizontally. There are also reports that public employees will receive an additional, targeted measure aimed at boosting their income.
Freelancers, the self-employed and farmers
The reduction in advance tax payments will work in combination with the new tax scale to bring a smaller tax burden, starting in the spring of 2027. There are also reports that presumptive income will no longer depend on the turnover of the sector in which each professional operates, a change expected to lead to a significant reduction in presumptive income and, as a result, a lower tax burden.
Regarding farmers, the specific details of the measures are expected on Saturday, with reports pointing to tax relief as well as direct income support. State broadcaster ERTnews also reported that a new financing programme is expected to be announced so that small and medium-sized businesses in particular can access cheap credit to cover their investment plans.
Housing measures
The last package may be the most significant, as a new housing programme is expected, intended to succeed the previous "My Home 1" and "My Home 2" schemes. There will also be additional income support for families with children to cover specific needs. The new "My Home" programme is expected to focus on providing cheap housing loans.
Ministers preview a four-year strategy
Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis said that at the Thessaloniki International Fair the government would present a coherent four-year plan, not fragmented measures but a strategy in which every citizen can see themselves. He said the real stake was to achieve growth that is spread across everyone.
It is considered very likely that the prime minister's speech will also include some surprise measures for families with children and for farmers, aimed at addressing the country's demographic problem and supporting the agricultural sector.
Government minister Kostis Hatzidakis said the programme would include a national strategy for demographic renewal, with an emphasis on reducing the cost of raising children and achieving a better balance between family and professional life.
Hatzidakis also pointed to the housing problem as a key focus, describing a framework of policies for affordable housing that would draw on public property for new social housing, renovate closed properties, make it easier for young couples to buy a first home, and include special measures for frontline workers.
What happens next
The central aim of the measures is a further reduction in tax burdens alongside targeted income support for employees and pensioners. All the interventions are expected to be reflected in the draft budget, due to be submitted on Monday, October 5.
