The Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD, Government Gazette 2698/B/30.5.2025) of the Ministries of National Economy and Finance and Maritime and Island Policy for the Transport Equivalent (MI) of the islanders, to the beneficiaries and citizens who moved to the islands, and the islands, were published.

Of the € 88 million they paid, a total of 325,405 islanders for their travels in 2024 (2,050,000 ferry and airline tickets), 42 million are returned by the state, of which 31 million are paid directly and relating to the January 20th.

The credit accounts of the beneficiaries’ bank accounts begins next Monday, while the General Secretariat for Island Policy under the systematic supervision of the responsible Deputy Minister, Stefanos Gika, has already completed the processing of the list of beneficiaries for clearing in order for the payments to be completed.

At the same time, the gradual payment of island businesses begins, with the first installment of 9,000,000 euros being credited by Tuesday 10/6/2025.

On the occasion of the JMD, Minister of Maritime and Island Policy Vassilis Kikilias said: “Transport equivalent is an essential social policy for our islanders. It is not a mere subsidy, but a recognition of our islanders’ need to move ferry and air for work, health, education and more.

Of the 88m euros paid by citizens for tickets in 2024, 42 million are returned by the state, of which 31 million within the next 15 days. The state must be present, fair and effective, and the implementation of the transport equivalent is proof that we can do so. “

What is the transport equivalent

Transport equivalent is an emblematic policy of enhancing island, implemented since 2018 and has been fully developed since 2019. It seeks equivalentness to the cost of transporting passengers, goods and fuels, comparing it with the corresponding cost in the mainland for equal distance.

Beneficiary The measure is: households with members who live permanently in Greek islands (excluding Crete, Euboea and Lefkada).
Special categories of workers, such as alternates and hourly teachers, commercials of Merchant Navy, auxiliary doctors and rural doctors, as long as they serve on an island of implementation of the measure.