Summary

The municipality of Apokoronas held a ceremony on June 25, 2026 in Vryses to distribute the first newborn grants to 26 families under its family support programme. The grants, in force since January 1, 2026, offer €1,500 for a first child, €2,000 for a second, and €2,500 for a third or subsequent child. After an initial legal challenge was resolved in the municipality's favour, the Greek government has since passed national legislation allowing all municipalities to run equivalent schemes.

Apokoronas pays out first newborn grants

Twenty-six families in Apokoronas received the first payments under the municipality's newborn support programme at a ceremony held on June 25, 2026, in the municipal council chamber in Vryses. The programme has been running since January 1, 2026, and is designed to provide financial help to young families and address the area's long-term population decline.

How much is on offer?

1st child: €1,500
2nd child: €2,000
3rd child and each subsequent child: €2,500

The municipality says it is currently reviewing the income thresholds upward, with the aim of making the grant available to as many families in Apokoronas as possible.

From legal challenge to national law

The programme's path to implementation was not straightforward. The original municipal council decision was contested and had to be reviewed by the committee established under Article 152 of the Greek Municipal Code. That committee found the initiative to be lawful, allowing it to proceed.

The case then drew national attention. The Greek government subsequently passed legislation giving all municipalities across the country an explicit legal basis to introduce similar family support schemes. Apokoronas is now cited as the local authority that pioneered the approach.

What should families do?

Families with children born on or after January 1, 2026 who meet the income criteria are eligible to apply. The municipality is also reviewing those criteria, so families who may not have qualified before are encouraged to check again. For applications or eligibility queries, contact the Apokoronas municipal offices directly.

Official source

PRESS RELEASE – Apokoronas opened the way – From vindication under Article 152 to the nationwide legislative entrenchment of support for newborn children

June 26, 2026, 7:19 AM

In an atmosphere of particular emotion, joy and optimism, on Thursday 25 June 2026, in the chamber of the Municipal Council of Apokoronas in Vryses, the ceremony took place for the award of the first newborn child grants and commemorative gifts to the families of the 26 first children enrolled in the family support programme of the Municipality of Apokoronas.

The Mayor of Apokoronas, Charalampos Koukianakis, stated: "The event was one of the most significant social moments for our Municipality, as it marked the practical implementation of a pioneering policy centred on the young family, the support of motherhood and fatherhood, and a substantive contribution to addressing the demographic problem."

Of particular significance is the fact that the newborn child grant has been applied since 1 January 2026, following the important institutional vindication of the Municipality of Apokoronas. It is recalled that the relevant decision of the Municipal Council was disputed and challenged; however, the Municipality was vindicated by the Committee of Article 152, which ruled the initiative lawful and opened the way for its implementation.

This development acquired even greater significance, as the State subsequently proceeded with a legislative regulation entrenching the ability of Municipalities to implement corresponding family support and demographic policies.

In this way, the Municipality of Apokoronas did not limit itself to formulating a proposal; it pioneered, it claimed its rights, it was vindicated and ultimately contributed to the shaping of a new institutional framework that can be utilised by local government throughout the country.

The programme provides for financial support of 1,500 euros for the first child, 2,000 euros for the second child and 2,500 euros for the third child and each subsequent child. At the same time, the Municipal Authority is proceeding with a review of the income criteria upward, with the aim that the measure can cover almost all families in Apokoronas.

In his address, the Mayor of Apokoronas Charalampos Koukianakis emphasised:

"Today we are not only honouring 26 families; we are honouring life itself, we are honouring the decision of young people to start a family, to have children and to invest their future in Apokoronas.

When we started this effort, many doubted that it could be put into practice, but we did not back down, because we believe that local government does not exist only to manage everyday life, but to provide answers to the great issues of society. Apokoronas dared, claimed, was vindicated and opened a path that the whole country is now following.

The demographic issue is perhaps the greatest national challenge of our time and we cannot stand indifferent; we have a duty to our ancestors who kept this place upright in the most difficult of times and a responsibility to our children to hand them a place that is alive, creative and full of prospects.

In conclusion, the Mayor of Apokoronas, Charalampos Koukianakis, noted that the newborn child subsidy programme is one of the foremost social policies being implemented by the Municipality of Apokoronas, proving in practice that local government can undertake initiatives with a substantial social footprint and actively contribute to the resolution of critical issues that concern society.

And if there is today a reason for optimism, it is because we believe that optimism will truly return when children's voices are heard again more loudly in the neighbourhoods and courtyards of our villages, when our schools fill with more children and when life conquers depopulation and demographic shrinkage.

This is the Apokoronas we envision. A place alive, full of children, creation and prospects. A place that honours its past, believes in its strengths and builds its future with confidence.