The Greek Ministry of Tourism announced that the application process for the " Tourism for All 2026-2027" program has ended with extremely high demand. A total of 1,156,017 applications were submitted to participate in the program, which is designed to encourage domestic tourism and strengthen activity in the industry even outside the peak months.
ccording to data published by the Ministry of Tourism, 819,976 applications - 70.93% of all applications - are intended for the weaker tourist season, while 336,041 applications, constituting 29.07%, are intended for the peak season.
The Greek Ministry of Tourism says the data fits into Greece's strategy to extend the tourist season and increase activity from October to April, a period when large parts of the country's tourism industry traditionally face a significant decline in demand.
The new cycle has expanded the income criteria for eligibility, removed income restrictions for people with disabilities, and provided additional support for large families with more than four children - in the amount of €50 for each eligible child. In addition, 70% of the program's budget is allocated to vacations during the low tourist season.
The Greek Ministry of Tourism further emphasizes that the program is not only intended to assist the public, but also serves as a tool to strengthen small and medium-sized businesses, employment, and local economies throughout the country.
Now, after the application phase is complete, the project will move to the next phase - the lottery of eligible candidates. The ministry aims to complete the procedures quickly, so that the winners' digital and rechargeable cards will be activated as early as early September.
Santorini. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK
The Greek government program is designed to encourage citizens of the country to go on vacations within Greece, using a digital card with a financial subsidy for the vacation.
The beneficiaries are selected by lottery, and the amount can be used for accommodation expenses at participating tourism businesses. In the 2026-2027 cycle, the assistance is €200 to €600, depending on the category of the beneficiary and the holiday season.
The goal of the program is twofold: to make vacations within Greece accessible to a larger number of residents, while at the same time shifting a significant portion of demand to the weaker seasons and less crowded destinations.
In the current cycle, 70% of the budget is directed towards vacations from October to April, so the program also serves as a key tool for the Greek Ministry of Tourism to extend the tourist season and strengthen local businesses during periods when demand is lower.