Heating fuel subsidies will continue being offered universally in Greece this coming winter, but at a higher level, up to 20 cents per liter, or 25 cents per liter including VAT, along with more generous income criteria, as the government wants to make fuel-based heating the lowest-cost heating solution this winter in order to minimize the number of households turning to electricity for heating.

Increased electricity usage would mean increased demand for natural gas, the costliest energy source at present. Natural gas represents roughly 40 percent of overall electricity generation in Greece.

The new subsidy package for fuel heating is expected to enable all consumers to purchase heating fuel at a level of 1.30 to 1.40 euros per liter, instead of 1.60 euros per liter, the price level if supply were to start now.

Heating fuel subsidies in Greece were worth a total of 174 million euros last winter, a sum seen rising to 300 million euros this season.

The number of households eligible for heating fuel subsidies is expected to increase to 1.3 million from 800,000 last winter as a result of a planned income criteria revision widening the offer’s eligibility.

The offer’s personal income criterion is expected to increase to between 17,000 and 18,000 euros per annum from 14,000 euros at present for single-resident homes, while corresponding income criteria rises will be made for families.