With subsidies of up to €11,817 per worker, DYPA is seeking to boost hiring in the private sector, making €279.6 million available to create 27,494 full-time jobs. The new scheme supports the hiring of unemployed people aged 30 and over, with higher funding for women and men aged over 50.
The call provides for a subsidy towards wage costs for 12 months, with the amounts varying according to the worker’s category. The largest incentive is for hiring unemployed women aged 30 and over and unemployed men aged 50 and over.
In these cases, the subsidy amounts to €984.75 a month, equivalent to 75% of the unit reference cost, set at €1,313. For unemployed men aged 30 to 49, support is limited to €656.50 a month, covering 50% of the same reference cost.
On an annual basis, the amounts come to €11,817 and €7,878 respectively, provided 12 months of eligible employment are completed. The grant is calculated on the basis of a predetermined unit cost, not as a percentage of the actual wage paid by each employer.
A key condition for participation is that the business must not have made staff cuts during the three months before applying. Corresponding obligations apply after joining the scheme. Employers must retain both the existing staff covered by the commitment and the workers hired through the programme, under the same employment arrangements.
If staffing levels fall during the subsidy period, the business must replace the worker within 30 days, with the possibility of a further 30-day extension subject to certain conditions. Otherwise, funding may be stopped and amounts already paid may be reclaimed.
Applications are submitted through the Integrated State Aid Information System (OPSKE). Applications open on 24 November 2026 at 15:00. The programme will remain open until the available budget is exhausted.
Total public expenditure amounts to €279,621,732 and is funded by the European Social Fund+ and the Greek state, under the 2021-2027 “Human Resources and Social Cohesion” programme. Most of the funding is allocated to the less developed regions, with €217.9 million, while €61.7 million is earmarked for regions in transition.