N. Greece City Offers Couples 1,000€ New Baby Bonus

The decision was taken by the municipal council of Naousa, in western Macedonia province

A municipality in northern Greece is the latest stakeholder in the country taking action to aid efforts aimed at reversing a demographic decline, offering a one-off bonus of 1,000 euros to every eligible couple in the city that has a child.

The decision was taken by the municipal council of Naousa, in western Macedonia province.

According to 2011’s census, the population at the time was around 34,000, with Mayor Nikos Koutsoyiannis now estimating that it has fallen to 30,500.

“This is tangible support, as young people realize that they’re not alone,” he said.

Koutsoyiannis maintained that the region’s de-industrialization over the last few decades has caused younger residents to seek their fortune in other cities in Greece or even abroad. Naousa was a previously a textile and sewing threads hub.

The measure will retroactively be allocated to couples who had a baby in 2024.

The “eligible” part of the initiative refers to a income ceiling for potential beneficiaries, and a condition that one of the two parents must be on the municipal voting rolls of the municipality and a permanent resident.