Am I eligible for the child benefit?
Conditional on equivalent income and residency. The child benefit (A21) is granted by OPEKA, applied for via A21 on myAADE/IDIKA. It's assessed on equivalent income = family income ÷ a scale (1.0 first adult, 0.5 second, 0.25 per child), in three brackets: A ≤€6,000 (full), B €6,001–12,000 (2/3), C €12,001–18,000 (1/3); above €18,000 none. Monthly amounts: 1st & 2nd child €70 / 42 / 28; 3rd+ child €140 / 84 / 56 (doubled). Paid bimonthly. For dependent children up to 18 (24 if studying), resident in Greece. In short: yes, if equivalent income is within the limits.
📋 The rules
- Criterion: equivalent income (scale 1/0.5/0.25)
- Brackets: A ≤€6,000, B €6,001–12,000, C €12,001–18,000
- Amounts 1st/2nd child: €70 / 42 / 28/month
- 3rd+ child: €140 / 84 / 56 (doubled)
- Paid bimonthly; A21 application (OPEKA)
🔓 Exceptions
- Dependent children up to 18 (24 if studying)
- Greeks/EU/EEA/protected persons: 5 years legal residence
- Other third-country nationals: 12 years residence
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There's no "fine" — it's a benefit; a false declaration leads to clawback and penalties. The amount depends on the income bracket and the number of children, and is paid in 6 instalments a year based on the latest cleared tax return. Note two points: the residency requirement is 5 years for Greeks/EU/EEA/protected persons and 12 years (not 10) for other third-country nationals; and the 2026 amounts/brackets are held steady (no confirmed increase). To receive it: file the A21 application during the year, make sure the tax return is cleared, and correctly declare the dependent children.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Who is eligible for the child benefit?
Eligible are families with dependent children, where equivalent income is within the limits (up to €18,000). Equivalent income is found by dividing family income by a scale. Legal residence in Greece and a cleared tax return are also required.
How much does the benefit pay?
For the 1st and 2nd child, the amount is €70, €42 or €28 a month depending on the income bracket (A, B or C). For the 3rd child and beyond, the amounts double to €140, €84 or €56. It's paid bimonthly, in six instalments a year.
How is equivalent income calculated?
Equivalent income is found by dividing total family income by a scale: 1.0 for the first adult, 0.5 for the second and 0.25 for each dependent child. Based on the result, you're placed in one of the three brackets that determine the amount.
How do I apply?
The application is made electronically via the A21 platform, on myAADE or through IDIKA, with your TAXISnet codes. The benefit is granted by OPEKA, based on the latest cleared tax return. You must correctly declare the dependent children and family status.
What's the residency requirement?
For Greeks, EU/EEA citizens and protected persons (refugees etc.), 5 years of prior legal residence are required. For other third-country nationals the requirement is 12 years, not 10. The children must be dependent and resident in Greece.
🔎 Common searches
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