The subsidy of 150 euros (200 for the disabled) for the holidays will concern 200,000 beneficiaries
Citizens show great interest in the “Tourism for All” program, as applications on the online platform until Sunday afternoon were rising to 234,000.
The subsidy of 150 euros (200 for the disabled) for the holidays will concern 200,000 beneficiaries who can apply via vouchers.gov.gr.
The series of VAT numbers
Today, Sunday 17/7, those interested can apply if and as long as their VAT number expires on 4, 5 and 6.
From tomorrow, Monday, however, it will open for all VAT numbers. The application deadline for the “Tourism for All» will expire at 23:59 next Thursday, July 21.
Due to the great response of the citizens, the Deputy Minister of Tourism Sofia Zaharaki he left open the possibility that the program could be expanded.
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).
It is recalled that with the new “Tourism for All” each beneficiary is provided with an immaterial, digital, prepaid card, on which the amount of the subsidy has been credited and which they can use for their stay in any hotel or accommodation of their choice in the country.
15 useful questions and answers
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 and a family income of up to €28,000, 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 subsidization 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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