Of Chrysostom Chufi

The arrival of June activates the already voted provision, which permanently regulates the issue of civil servants with personal differences by significantly limiting – and in some cases abolishing – set -offs. So about 40,000 civil servants will now be able to receive normally the increases they are entitled to due to wage maturity.

More specifically the arrangement states that:

  • If the personal difference is less than 300 euros, it does not set off with the increase in the basic salary.
  • If the personal difference exceeds EUR 300, the amount of the personal difference being offset equals the least between 50% of the caused increase in the basic salary and the amount of the personal dispute exceeding EUR 300.

In a circular signed by the Deputy Minister of Finance Thanos Petraliasgives instructions to the competent Directorates on how to apply the new arrangement when clearing the remuneration of civil servants who fall under the regulation which has been re -power since June 2024 (in addition to any salary maturity there has been an increase in minimum wage).

And what is better than quoting examples so that there are no “misunderstandings”.

Employee with a personal difference less than 300 €

Even IP employee who is in MK 14 with a basic salary of € 1,959 and receives a personal difference of 250 €. After promoting it to the next salary of MK 15, he will receive a basic salary of € 2,018 and his personal difference will remain unchanged at 250 € as he is not offset.

Employee with a personal difference of 300 €

Even a category IP employee who is in MK 14 with a basic salary of € 1,959 and receives a personal difference of 300 €. After promoting it to the next salary of MK 15, he will receive a basic salary of € 2,018 and his personal difference will remain unchanged at € 300.

Employee with a personal difference greater than 300 €

  • Even a category IP employee who is in MK 14 with a basic salary of € 1,959 and receives a personal difference of 400 €. After promoting it to the next salary of MK 15, it will receive a basic salary of € 2,018. In this case, the amount of the personal difference exceeding € 300 equals 100 €, while 50% of the caused increase in the basic salary amounts to € 29.50 (59 €/2). Consequently, the amount of personal dispute sets up to € 29.50 (smaller) and the new personal difference is at € 370.50
  • Even IP employee, who is located in MK 14 with a basic salary of € 1,959 and receives a personal difference of 310 €. After promoting it to the next salary of MK 15, it will receive a basic salary of € 2,018. In this case, the amount of personal difference exceeding € 300 equals 10 €, while 50% of the caused increase in the basic salary amounts to € 29.50 (59 €/2). Consequently, the amount of the personal difference of offset is 10 € (smaller amount) and the new PD is € 300.

The payroll passed since 2015, civil servants maintained a personal difference such as retirees. In order to see real increases in their pocket they had to reset it through set -offs.

This restrictive provision was not implemented from 1/6/2022 to 31/5/2024, so for this two years, all civil servants received their increases without problems. As of June 1, 2024, offsettings have been re -activated and therefore the regulation of the finance ministry that passed with the Capital Market bill has been retroactive since then. So the lucky ones will see retrospective increases of up to 11-12 months

The budgetary cost, taking into account the retroactivity of the measure, amounts to approximately € 11.5m this year, increased by approximately € 5m per year for the coming years.