Tourism for All 2022: What you need to know in 15 questions

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With the new “Tourism for All PASS” beneficiaries will be able to issue an immaterial digital debit card, which they can use for their stay at any hotel or accommodation in the country they choose.

The new fully upgraded program was put into operation from noon today, through vouchers.gov.gr and gradually until Monday, July 18, depending on the beneficiary’s VAT number expiringTourism for All» which concerns the subsidization of tourist accommodation costs for 200,000 citizens.

This is the new program of the Ministry of Tourism – in collaboration with the Ministries of Digital Governance, Finance, Development & Investments – for the immediate strengthening of domestic tourism activity, which is part of the Government’s broader strategy for supporting Greek households and businesses against to the effects of the global inflationary crisis.

The response of the citizens was huge as “The applications have already exceeded 60,000” as reported earlier on SKAI 100.3, the Deputy Minister of Tourism Sofia Zaharaki, pointing out that today only those who have a VAT number ending in 1, 2, 3 can submit applications.

It is emphasized that the platform will accept applications gradually depending on the expiring VAT number of the beneficiary. Next up tomorrow are those with TINs ending in digits 4, 5 and 6, while on Monday the platform will be open to everyone regardless of the ending number in their TIN.

The new fully upgraded “Tourism for All” program concerns the subsidization of tourist accommodation costs for 200,000 citizens.

Within one hour of operation, applications reached 8,000, while shortly after 18:00 they “broke the barrier of 50,000”.

Ms. Zaharaki pointed out that the money will be given to the entrepreneurs immediately, while the extension of the program is under consideration.

Referring to the delays in the payments of entrepreneurs from the previous program, she emphasized that on Thursday another 3 million was given while the last 3 million of the total of 20 million remain.

He explained that these programs are paid in installments, all supporting documents are cleared and depending on how the money comes in, it is available immediately.

From the very beginning, the participation of interests in the program was overwhelming since, indicatively, within one hour of the platform’s operation, 8,000 applications were submitted (12:00-13:00)

By 15:00 the applications that had been submitted for approval were 35,000 and by 16:15 they had broken the 50,000 barrier.

With the new “Tourism for All PASS” beneficiaries will be able to issue an immaterial digital debit card, which they can use for their stay at any hotel or accommodation in the country they choose.

The program is an upgraded version of the program of the same name from previous years, as for the first time it is offered:

  • Increased subsidy of 150 euros per beneficiary (from 120 euros last year)
  • Special provision for a higher subsidy of 200 euros for PWDs with a disability of more than 67%
  • Contactless payment and redemption of the e-voucher at any accommodation provider (hotels, accommodation, etc.) and at any destination in the country, without geographical restrictions
  • Immediate reimbursement of providers, which puts an end to waiting and time-consuming bureaucratic procedures
  • Redeem the e-voucher once or in installments until June 2023, in order to support the choice of holidays outside the peak tourist season.

Following the intervention of the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the budget of the new digital program “Tourism for All” amounts to 31 million euros this year, far exceeding the amount absorbed during the previous two years of the program. At the same time, the extension of the program was secured for the next three years, i.e. until 2025.

Citizens with an individual income of up to 16,000 euros and a family income of up to 28,000 euros can apply for the program, an amount that is increased for each child. Specifically:

INDIVIDUAL (+SINGLE PARENTS)

WITHOUT CHILDREN 16,000

WITH 1 CHILD 17,500

WITH 2 CHILDREN 19,000

WITH 3 CHILDREN 21,000

26,000

FAMILY (MARRIAGES + COhabitation AGREEMENT)

WITHOUT CHILDREN 28,000

WITH 1 CHILD 29,500

WITH 2 CHILDREN 31,000

WITH 3 CHILDREN 33,000

38,000

The operation of the digital platform is particularly simple, as in order to submit the application each citizen only needs his Taxisnet passwords and the confirmation of a mobile phone number and an e-mail address. All other data are automatically collected through the Interoperability Center of the General Secretariat of Public Administration Information Systems.

Applications are submitted based on the expiring TIN number of the beneficiaries. Specifically:

Those with VAT numbers ending in 1, 2 and 3 can submit their applications from Saturday 16 July.

Those with VAT numbers ending in 4, 5 and 6 can submit their applications from Sunday 17 July.

From Monday 18 July, the online platform for submitting applications will be open for all TINs and will remain open until Thursday 21 July at 23:59.

The process can also be handled through KEP.

It is pointed out that there is no time priority for the applications, while the final beneficiaries of the program will be selected by electronic lottery among the beneficiaries who have submitted an application.

The service telephone number for citizens is 210-2600610 and the line will start its operation in parallel with the operation of the platform.

Those interested can find detailed information at the links: https://www.ktpae.gr/ and https://vouchers.gov.gr/ (after 12:00 pm).

Selected as beneficiaries within the “Social Tourism” program (2021-2022 and 2022-2023) of the O.A.E.D. and of D.Y.P.A. -regardless of whether they used the service or not- as well as beneficiaries of the “Evia-Samos Pass” program are reminded that they cannot take part in the program.

Here are 15 useful questions & answers about the new Tourism for All program

1. What does the program cover?

The new fully upgraded program for direct support of domestic tourism, “Tourism for All”, concerns the subsidization of tourist accommodation costs for hotels and accommodations throughout the country.

2. How does the program work?

Each beneficiary is provided with an immaterial, digital, prepaid card, on which the amount of the subsidy has been credited.

3. How is this year’s program different from previous years?

The budget of the new digital program “Tourism for All” this year amounts to 31 million euros, far exceeding the amount absorbed in the previous two years of the program.

The subsidy per beneficiary has also increased, with the amount amounting to 150 euros, from 120 euros last year.

The subsidy for the disabled is also higher, which amounts to 200 euros, from 120 euros last year.

In addition, the voucher can now be redeemed at any accommodation provider (hotels, accommodation) throughout the country, while the transfer of money to the accommodation service provider is immediate, avoiding the time-consuming procedures of the past.

4. Who can apply?

Beneficiaries of the program are citizens with an individual income of up to 16,000 euros and a family income of up to 28,000 euros, an amount that is increased for each child.

The program concerns a total of 200,000 beneficiaries and the final selection – as long as there are more candidates who meet the criteria – will be made by electronic lottery.

5. How are applications submitted?

The new program is fully digitized and applications are submitted electronically via the vouchers.gov.gr platform. To submit the application, every citizen needs to be a certified Taxisnet user, as well as to confirm a mobile phone number and an e-mail address.

The applications are submitted, gradually – without time priority – depending on the expiring VAT number of the beneficiary, from Saturday 16 July. Specifically:

Those with VAT numbers ending in 1, 2 and 3 can submit their applications from Saturday 16 July.

Those with VAT numbers ending in 4, 5 and 6 can submit their applications from Sunday 17 July.

From Monday, July 18, the electronic platform for submitting applications will be open for all TINs and will remain open until Thursday, July 21 at 11:59 p.m., while the relevant process can also be processed through KEP.

The service phone number is 210-2600610 and the line will start operating in parallel with the operation of the platform. Those interested can find detailed information at the links: https://www.ktpae.gr/ and https://vouchers.gov.gr/ (after 12:00 pm).

6. Can each family member apply separately?

Yes, as long as the income criteria are met and as long as each member has their own Taxisnet codes and submits a tax return.

7. How is the voucher redeemed?

Each immaterial, digital check is redeemed at the tourist accommodation either once, or in as many installments and at any time the beneficiary wishes.

8. Until when can the digital check be cashed?

The voucher is individual and can be redeemed at any hotel or tourist accommodation, until June 2023.

9. Are there any restrictions?

There is no restriction on the number of overnight stays, nor on the period that the beneficiary chooses to use his individual check. The only condition is that the total amount of the contactless payment does not exceed 150 euros or 200 euros for the disabled.

There is also no geographical limitation, as tourist accommodation throughout the country participates in the program.

10. Can we give an example?

The beneficiary can use the amount of 150 euros once, but he can “break” the total amount and use it in different time periods, in any way he wishes.

For example, he can spend 50 euros on staying in a hotel during the summer months and use the remaining 100 euros for the same purpose in the fall, winter, next spring or early next summer. Thus, the program also contributes to the goal of extending the tourist season, twelve months a year.

11. What is provided for business owners?

In this year’s program, there has been – for the first time – a special provision, so that the providers are compensated directly, through the immaterial digital card of the beneficiary, without the time-consuming bureaucratic procedures that existed in previous years. This means that business owners are paid at the same time and therefore beneficiaries can cash their check more easily, even during the peak tourist season.

12. Will tourist offices also be included as providers?

Despite the relevant intention and effort of the Ministry of Tourism, it was not possible to include tourist agencies in the providers in this phase of the program, due to issues of state aid and EU law, which already in the earlier version of the program had created significant issues of redemption and payment both to the beneficiaries and to the offices themselves. The possibility of a complementary part of the program for tourist offices is being considered, with features that ensure its smooth operation, for the benefit of all.

13. Are the amounts forfeitable?

Yes, the amounts are non-disposable, non-deductible and tax-free for both beneficiaries and providers.

14. Are travel expenses such as ferry tickets covered?

The “Tourism for All” program covers exclusively the subsidy of tourist accommodation costs. Local travel is not covered, nor are expenses in health shops.

15. What happens if a beneficiary does not have a “smart” mobile phone for contactless payment?

There is no problem, nor does the beneficiary lose the subsidy. And this is because, the use of the immaterial digital debit card can also be done through a website or electronic platform, which provides the option for direct billing by the provider, by filling in the details of the beneficiary’s digital card.

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