Just Transition hiring subsidy: up to 100% of wage costs for 12 months (DYPA)
ESPA (NSRF) 2021-2027 · Just Transition Programme (Just Transition Fund) – DYPA action
Δημόσια Υπηρεσία Απασχόλησης – ΔΥΠΑ, Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης (Public Employment Service DYPA, Ministry of Labour and Social Security) · χρηματοδότηση ΕΥΔΑΜ
In plain words
If you hire an unemployed person full-time in Western Macedonia, the Megalopolis area or a small island, DYPA pays €829.50 a month (70%) for 12 months, or €1,185 a month (100%) if the worker comes from lignite or energy. Money is given until it runs out, so apply quickly.
Who can apply
Private businesses and employers with regular activity in Western Macedonia, the municipalities of Megalopolis, Tripoli, Oichalia and Gortynia, and small islands of the North/South Aegean and Crete with fewer than 3,100 residents (e.g. Gavdos).
What it pays for
Wages, employer contributions, holiday bonuses and leave allowance for 12 months of full-time work: €829.50/month (€9,954 in total) for any unemployed person, or €1,185/month (€14,220) for someone who worked in lignite, power generation or electricity distribution/trading.
What must be true for you
Tick what applies. Saved on this device only.
- Regular business activity in an eligible area (private sector)
- Hire an unemployed person registered with DYPA and referred by the local DYPA office (KPA2)
- A new full-time job for 12 months
- Room under the de minimis cap: no more than €300,000 of state aid in 3 years
How to apply
- Read DYPA's public call (dypa.gov.gr → Active employment policies)
- Contact your local DYPA office (KPA2) for candidates
- After approval, hire the unemployed person full-time
- Follow the call's payment procedure to receive the subsidy
Where to apply: ΟΠΣΚΕ – Ολοκληρωμένο Πληροφοριακό Σύστημα Κρατικών Ενισχύσεων (είσοδος με κωδικούς TaxisNet): app.opske.gr
Deadline
New round from 3 Sep 2026 (13:00). For Western Macedonia it closes as soon as the extra budget (€2.03m) is used; in Megalopolis and small islands applications continue until money runs out.
Sources we read
- eydam.gr/3-9-2026-apo-tin-pebti-oi-aitiseis-ep…
- opske.gr/el/call/eidiko-programma-epihorigisis…
- businessdaily.gr/oikonomia/229324_nees-aitisei…
- prosvasis.dypa.gov.gr/en/active-employment-pol…
Research notes: Programme of 2,700 full-time jobs, total public spending €29,963,800 (Just Transition Fund + national). The extra Western Macedonia round opened 03/09/2026 with €2,034,597.20 and closes when that money is used, so it may already be exhausted. Megalopolis-area and small-island applications described as continuing. Amounts are per person hired. Earlier round (March 2025) used de minimis Reg. (EU) 2023/2831. Details from the official EYDAM announcement and OPSKE. DYPA's programme page (prosvasis.dypa.gov.gr, documents of 24/03/2025) still shows 'Ανοιχτό πρόγραμμα' (100% = €1,185/month, 70% = €829.50/month, 12 months, apply via iSAMIS/OPSKE) and lists Western Macedonia plus Megalopolis, Tripoli, Oichalia and Gortynia; the small-island part rests on the EYDAM announcement of 03/09/2026. No exhaustion notice found on 17/10/2026.