On Tuesday, April 30, the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family – through the supervised Organization of Welfare Allowances and Social Solidarity (OPEKA) – will pay the amount of retroactive benefits from the increase in the birth allowance for all children born from 1/1/ 2023.

The 58,912 women who gave birth within 2023 and have already received the full amount of the allowance or will be paid the second installment now in April, will receive retrospectively the amount of 36,247,500 euros. The additional amount resulting from the increase in the birth allowance is paid to the beneficiaries without them submitting a new application and without taking any other action.

It is noted that for the current monthly payment of the birth allowance, beneficiaries receive the increased amount.

The beneficiaries of the birth allowance for the month of April amount to 10,119 and the amount paid amounts to 11,165,950 euros.

The Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Sofia Zaharaki, stated in this regard:

“We stand with anxiety and care next to mothers and give an important breath to families to cope with the increased first needs. By limiting the difficulties, the joy that a new baby brings grows. We support maternity in practice with an increase in benefits, the extension of subsidized parental leave. While within 2024 more than 400 million euros are directed to support families. We will never say that it is enough, but there have never been more corresponding resources.”

The beneficiaries and the new amounts of the birth allowance

Beneficiary of the allowance is every mother who resides permanently and legally in Greece and has an annual equivalent family income of up to 40,000 euros.

After the passing of the relevant law last February, the birth allowance was increased to 2,400 euros for one child and depending on the number of children the increase reaches 1,500 euros up to the amount of 3,500 euros.

Analytically:

* 2,400 euros for families having their first child: an increase of 400 euros

* 2,700 euros for families having a second child – an increase of 700 euros

* 3,000 euros for families having the third child – an increase of 1,000 euros

* 3,500 euros for families having their fourth child or more – an increase of 1,500 euros.

* The 1st installment is granted the month following the child’s birth, if the application is submitted and approved within the month of the child’s birth.

* The 2nd dose after 5 months from the month of the child’s birth.