Greece has launched a new financial incentive program to tackle depopulation.

22:15, Mon, Jan 19, 2026 Updated: 22:15, Mon, Jan 19, 2026

Aerial shot of the ruins of the medieval castle of Didymoteicho in Evros, Greece during a sunny afternoon of April.

Greece has launched a new financial incentive program to tackle depopulation (Image: Getty)

Greece has launched an incredible relocation incentive to try to stem the exodus from scenic towns in its rural regions. Under the Government’s new scheme, individuals or families who move permanently to selected municipalities near the Turkish border - including the picturesque municipalities of Didymoteicho and Orestiada in Evros and the city of Komotini in the neighbouring region of Rhodopi - can now receive up to €10,000 (£8,600) in cash assistance.

The programme, driven by the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, is part of a broader effort to tackle severe rural depopulation and support struggling border communities. Those settling in smaller villages with fewer than 500 residents qualify for the full payment, while moves to larger towns attract a smaller grant, with extra money on offer for families with children. Officials hope the cash boost will reverse decades of decline as young people leave for Greece’s cities and services such as schools, pharmacies and shops disappear from once-bustling towns.

Eleftheriou Venizelou St, in Komotini, Thrace, Greece.

Those who move permanently to places like Komotini can now receive up to €10,000 (£8,600) in cash assistance (Image: Getty)

For example, in 2011, the town of Didymoteicho, which boasts an impressive medieval castle, was home to 9,263 inhabitants in 2011. However, a decade later, in the 2021 national census, the population had dropped to 8,611.

The spearhead of the initiative, the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Domna Michaelidou, said the Government’s goal is to  “motivate those who go near our borders," with participating municipalities providing extra benefits, such as school meals. The bonus is exclusively for those seeking permanent relocation rather than for seasonal or temporary workers, as part of the Government's larger strategy to revitalise the border, according to the Greek Reporter.

However, critics have said the offer is not enough to lure people back. Local leaders have said the one-off payout is a drop in the ocean compared with the long-term investment needed to revive these communities and provide jobs, infrastructure and amenities. Orestiada Mayor, Diamantis Papadopoulos, noted that while the program initially sparked some interest, this quickly waned: "This is not a magical solution. It should be part of a broader development policy," he said, turkiyetoday reported.

Mother cradles newborn in hospital room during peaceful moment

Greece's fertility rate is currently around 1.41 children per woman, well below the replacement rate of 2.1 (Image: Getty)

Soufli Mayor Panagiotis Kalakikos shared similar concerns, stressing the need for job creation and further incentives: "If there are no jobs, no one will come for nearly $11.2K. We need a support plan including investment, tax incentives, and employment opportunities."

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For the last few decades, Greece has experienced a steady decline in its rural population. Data shows consistent annual declines in rural population figures, with rural areas disproportionately affected by an ageing demographic. The population decline has led to the closure of essential services such as schools, pharmacies, and traditional cafes, which were once the social and economic hubs of these communities. This further accelerates the abandonment of villages as they become less livable.

The low fertility rate - currently around 1.41 children per woman, well below the replacement rate of 2.1 - means that fewer new births are occurring across the country. As a result, fewer young people are entering the workforce, while more are in retirement, increasing demand for healthcare and elderly care services. This is also compounded by the fact that younger, reproductive-age individuals are moving away from their communities for better opportunities in larger cities like Athens or Thessaloniki.