What's Happening?
Greece's Ministry of Labor is preparing a new regulation that will extend sickness benefits to all self-employed professionals and farmers, a group previously excluded from such entitlements. This measure
will be part of a forthcoming bill aimed at creating a unified benefits framework for all insured members of the e-EFKA fund, with implementation expected in early 2026. Currently, only lawyers in major cities like Athens, Thessaloniki, and Piraeus are eligible for these benefits. The new regulation will expand access to include all self-employed workers, such as those previously insured under the Social Insurance Organization for the Self-Employed (OAEE) and the Unified Fund for the Independently Employed (ETAA), as well as farmers. The sickness benefit will be capped at 70% of the notional daily wage of the 8th insurance class, amounting to a maximum of 23.40 euros per day. To qualify, beneficiaries must have completed at least five months of insurance in the previous year or within the 15 months preceding the illness.
Why It's Important?
This development is significant as it addresses a long-standing gap in Greece's social security system, providing financial support to a broader range of self-employed individuals and farmers who previously lacked access to sickness benefits. By including these groups, the regulation aims to offer a safety net that can help mitigate the financial impact of illness, thereby promoting economic stability and social equity. The extension of benefits could also encourage more individuals to pursue self-employment, knowing they have access to essential social protections. This move reflects a broader trend in social policy to ensure that all workers, regardless of employment type, have access to basic welfare benefits.
