Greece is moving to settle years of institutional neglect by extending comprehensive support measures, including a substantial special monthly pension, to the victims of the 2018 Mati fire and the 2017 Mandra floods.
The new provisions mirror those already implemented for the victims of the Tempi rail tragedy, establishing a framework of restoration, relief, and institutional protection for the affected citizens.
Minister of National Economy and Finance Kyriakos Pierrakakis submitted the amendments late Monday night to a bill concerning “public-benefit properties, foundations, vacant inheritances, and donations to the State.” The Ministry announced that the bill and these crucial amendments are scheduled to be voted on by Parliament today.
Key relief measures for Mati and Mandra victims
The comprehensive package addresses financial, social, and healthcare needs:
1. Special Monthly Pension
A special, tax-free monthly pension of €1,700 is established, equivalent to four times the full National Pension.
Recipients: Relatives of the deceased and survivors of the Mati fire who sustained second- or third-degree burns and have a disability rating of 50% or more, provided they are registered in the National Burn Victims Registry.
Benefits: The pension is tax-exempt and unseizable, is not offset against outstanding debts, does not affect other social benefits, and increases automatically with the National Pension rate, regardless of employment or receipt of another pension.
2. Financial Protection and Debt Relief
Compensation Protection: Court-awarded compensations are legally shielded, designated as tax-free, non-transferable, and unseizable.
Automatic Debt Forgiveness: All outstanding debts owed to the Tax Administration, social security funds, and Local Government are automatically and universally written off. This includes debts already under repayment plans or those in the out-of-court mechanism.
Preservation of Rights: Crucially, the social security contribution time corresponding to the canceled insurance debts will be fully retained.
3. Healthcare and Psychological Support
Full Medical Coverage: Burn victims are granted full medical coverage, both within Greece and abroad.
Free, personalized psychological support will be provided for the families of the victims.
In its announcement, the Ministry concluded: “With these regulations, the affected citizens in Mati and Mandra are treated with the same institutional care and protection that applies to the victims of the Tempi tragedy.”
The Mati fire was the second-deadliest wildfire event globally in the 21st century. Over 104 people died and hundreds were injured, many suffering severe burns. The fire spread rapidly due to extremely high winds, trapping residents and tourists who were trying to evacuate, including those on beaches and in the sea.
The Mandra floods in western Attica were a devastating flash flood event caused by extreme weather. 24 people lost their lives in the sudden and violent floods. Dozens of homes and businesses were destroyed, and major infrastructure damage occurred.