The payment of the Transport Equivalent to residents of the country’s islands started today, Tuesday 7 April, with the aim of equalising the cost of transport for islanders with that of mainland residents. More specifically, 22,647,180.13 euros will be paid to 261,367 beneficiaries, for journeys made between 1 January 2025 and 30 June 2025.
“The Transport Equivalent concerns the daily life of thousands of islanders. Once all the necessary checks have been completed, the payment of the amounts to the islanders will begin, in order to provide substantial relief on the cost of travel. We continue with policies that improve the quality of life of our islanders and support islanders, which is a comparative advantage for our country,” said the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Vassilis Kikilias.
The payment concerns the 42nd instalment of the measure for passengers and covers ferry and air travel, as part of the payment of the Island Cost Compensation (A.N.I.C.).
The relevant expenditure is included in the Public Investment Programme 2026 and is implemented through the General Secretariat for the Aegean and Island Policy, enhancing the cohesion of the island area and supporting insularity.
In parallel, an order has been given for the execution of electronic payment orders through the E-PDE Information System, so that the amounts can be credited directly to the beneficiaries.
Stefanos Gikas, Deputy Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy, said: “At this critical geopolitical juncture, we are making a significant payment of the Transport Equivalent Passenger Facility action, paying off in the first half of 2025. Our aim, through the reform of the Transport Equivalent, is to enhance its effectiveness and its footprint on our islands, both economically and socially.”
