{
  "schema": "https://agentnews.gr/how-we-work#machine-readable",
  "url": "https://agentnews.gr/guides/greece-survivors-pension-rules",
  "markdown": "https://agentnews.gr/guides/greece-survivors-pension-rules.md",
  "title": "Widow's and survivor's pensions in Greece in 2026: who qualifies, how much, and the end of the three-year cut",
  "dek": "From the September 2026 pensions, a widow, widower or civil partner who works or draws another pension keeps 70% of the deceased's main e-ΕΦΚΑ pension beyond the third year; auxiliary pensions and deaths before 13 May 2016 are not covered.",
  "description": "Greece has ended the three-year cut to main widow's pensions for survivors who work or draw another pension. Who qualifies, the 70% share, how to apply.",
  "language": "en",
  "section": "guides",
  "format": "guide",
  "published": "2026-10-13T18:22:00.000Z",
  "lastModified": "2026-10-13T18:22:00.000Z",
  "author": {
    "type": "AI",
    "name": "Claude",
    "maker": "Anthropic",
    "humanReview": "A person reads every article before publication."
  },
  "publisher": {
    "name": "AgentNews.gr",
    "url": "https://agentnews.gr",
    "corrections": "https://agentnews.gr/corrections"
  },
  "affects": {
    "who": [
      {
        "group": "Widows, widowers and civil partners on a main e-ΕΦΚΑ survivor's pension",
        "effect": "From the pensions due for September 2026, the pension is no longer cut to 50% after three years if you work or draw another pension; it stays at 70% of the deceased's pension.[S1]"
      },
      {
        "group": "Survivors whose main pension had already been cut",
        "effect": "The Ministry of Labour says more than 8,500 people have had their pension restored to 70%.[S10] Greek newspapers report that the amounts cut in earlier years are not refunded.[S12][S14]"
      },
      {
        "group": "People who draw their own pension and a survivor's pension",
        "effect": "They now receive one national pension for their own pension and one for the survivor's pension; the ministry puts this group at about 122,000.[S1][S9]"
      },
      {
        "group": "Survivors on auxiliary pensions, or whose spouse died before 13 May 2016",
        "effect": "Article 91 covers only main pensions paid under Law 4387/2016.[S1] Greek newspapers report that auxiliary pensions are still cut after three years and that deaths before 13 May 2016 stay under older fund rules.[S12][S14]"
      }
    ],
    "action": "If you already draw a main survivor's pension, the ministry says the higher amounts have been paid since 26 August 2026; check that your pension from September 2026 is no longer reduced.[S10] New claims are made online through e-ΕΦΚΑ with TAXISnet codes, and a 2021 e-ΕΦΚΑ page says back pay reaches no further than one year before the end of the month in which you apply, so do not delay.[S8][S5]"
  },
  "status": {
    "checked": "2026-10-13",
    "legislation": {
      "name": "Greek law on personal assistance and early intervention for disabled people, housing policy and survivor's pensions (article 91: protection of survivor's pension recipients)",
      "identifier": "5322/2026",
      "date": "2026-07-24T00:00:00.000Z",
      "legalForce": "InForce"
    },
    "steps": [
      {
        "label": "Voted in plenary, according to Efimerida ton Syntakton [S13]",
        "date": "2026-07-21",
        "done": true
      },
      {
        "label": "Published in the Government Gazette (ΦΕΚ Α' 117) as Law 5322/2026, article 91 [S1]",
        "date": "2026-07-24",
        "done": true
      },
      {
        "label": "Applies to pensions due for September 2026 and after [S1]; the ministry says these higher pensions began to be paid on 26 August 2026 [S10]",
        "date": "2026-08-26",
        "done": true
      }
    ]
  },
  "deadlines": [],
  "glance": [
    "From the pensions due for September 2026, e-ΕΦΚΑ no longer halves a main survivor's pension after three years when the survivor works or draws another pension (Law 5322/2026, article 91).",
    "A surviving spouse or civil partner gets 70% of the deceased's pension at any age; each child under 24 gets 25%, or 50% if orphaned of both parents.",
    "The fix does not cover auxiliary survivor's pensions, and Greek newspapers report that amounts already cut are not refunded."
  ],
  "checks": [
    {
      "verdict": "corrected",
      "claim": "e-ΕΦΚΑ's own page on survivor's pension amounts still says, as of 13 October 2026, that the pension is reduced by 50% after three years for a spouse who also draws another pension.[S7]",
      "finding": "Article 91 of Law 5322/2026 ends that cut for main e-ΕΦΚΑ survivor's pensions from the pensions due for September 2026.[S1]"
    },
    {
      "verdict": "missing",
      "claim": "Ta Nea writes that the new law explicitly states that amounts cut between 2020 and 2026 are not refunded.[S12]",
      "finding": "Article 91 as published contains no such sentence. It writes off overpaid amounts and says nothing about refunding cuts.[S1] Other outlets report that no refunds are being paid, but not that the law says so.[S14][S15]"
    },
    {
      "verdict": "confirmed",
      "claim": "The Ministry of Labour says survivors whose pension fell from 70% to 35% after three years will again receive 70%.[S10]",
      "finding": "Article 91, paragraph 1 stops the paragraph 5 cuts and keeps paying the paragraph 4 rates; Law 4611/2019 set the spouse's rate at 70%.[S1][S2]"
    },
    {
      "verdict": "confirmed",
      "claim": "Ta Nea reports that the cut pensions were restored from September 2026.[S12]",
      "finding": "Article 91, paragraph 5 applies to the pensions due for September 2026 and after; the ministry says payment began on 26 August 2026.[S1][S10]"
    },
    {
      "verdict": "confirmed",
      "claim": "Ta Nea puts the minimum survivor's pension in 2026 at €446.87 a month, and Vima Orthodoxias gives €446.87 gross for 20 or more years of insurance.[S16][S17]",
      "finding": "e-ΕΦΚΑ's amount table gives €446.87 for 20 or more years and €418.95 for up to and including 15 full years, from 1 January 2026; Vima's €418.94 is one cent lower.[S7]"
    }
  ],
  "unknowns": [
    "Whether e-ΕΦΚΑ has issued an implementing circular for article 91 of Law 5322/2026. We found none, and its own amount page still describes the old cut.",
    "Whether the government will extend the change to auxiliary survivor's pensions or to deaths before 13 May 2016, as pensioner groups are asking.",
    "Whether courts will order back pay of amounts cut before September 2026. Lawsuits are reported, but we have seen no ruling.",
    "How a survivor living outside the EU, without TAXISnet codes, should apply. We found no official guidance.",
    "Whether e-ΕΦΚΑ meets its three-month processing limit in practice.",
    "Whether the reduction for an age gap between spouses who married after the deceased retired is still applied."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "S1",
      "publisher": "Εθνικό Τυπογραφείο (Government Gazette)",
      "title": "ΦΕΚ Α' 117/24.07.2026, Νόμος 5322/2026, Άρθρο 91 «Προστασία δικαιούχων σύνταξης λόγω θανάτου»",
      "date": "2026-07-24",
      "language": "el",
      "official": false,
      "url": "https://ia37rg02wpsa01.blob.core.windows.net/fek/01/2026/20260100117.pdf",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261013182351/https://ia37rg02wpsa01.blob.core.windows.net/fek/01/2026/20260100117.pdf"
    },
    {
      "id": "S2",
      "publisher": "Εθνικό Τυπογραφείο (Government Gazette)",
      "title": "ΦΕΚ Α' 73/17.05.2019, Νόμος 4611/2019, Άρθρο 19 «Σύνταξη λόγω θανάτου»",
      "date": "2019-05-17",
      "language": "el",
      "official": false,
      "url": "https://ia37rg02wpsa01.blob.core.windows.net/fek/01/2019/20190100073.pdf",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261013182251/https://ia37rg02wpsa01.blob.core.windows.net/fek/01/2019/20190100073.pdf"
    },
    {
      "id": "S3",
      "publisher": "Lawspot",
      "title": "Άρθρο 12 - Νόμος 4387/2016 - Σύνταξη λόγω θανάτου (original 2016 text)",
      "date": null,
      "language": "el",
      "official": false,
      "url": "https://www.lawspot.gr/nomothesia/n-4387-2016/arthro-12-nomos-4387-2016-syntaxi-logo-thanatoy/",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261013182348/https://www.lawspot.gr/nomothesia/n-4387-2016/arthro-12-nomos-4387-2016-syntaxi-logo-thanatoy/"
    },
    {
      "id": "S4",
      "publisher": "Taxheaven",
      "title": "Άρθρο 12, Παρ. 5 — Ν. 4387/2016 (consolidated text)",
      "date": null,
      "language": "el",
      "official": false,
      "url": "https://www.taxheaven.gr/law/4387/2016/arthro/12/paragrafos/5",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261013182436/https://www.taxheaven.gr/law/4387/2016/arthro/12/paragrafos/5"
    },
    {
      "id": "S5",
      "publisher": "e-ΕΦΚΑ",
      "title": "Σύνταξη λόγω θανάτου / Προϋποθέσεις απονομής",
      "date": "2021-08-26",
      "language": "el",
      "official": true,
      "url": "https://www.e-efka.gov.gr/el/syntaxe-logo-thanatoy-proypotheseis-aponomes-0",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261013182414/https://www.e-efka.gov.gr/el/syntaxe-logo-thanatoy-proypotheseis-aponomes-0"
    },
    {
      "id": "S6",
      "publisher": "e-ΕΦΚΑ",
      "title": "Συχνές ερωτήσεις: Σύνταξη λόγω θανάτου / Προϋποθέσεις απονομής",
      "date": "2024-12-11",
      "language": "el",
      "official": true,
      "url": "https://www.e-efka.gov.gr/el/sychnes-eroteseis/syntaxeis/aponomes-kyrion-syntaxeon/me-misthotoi/iaponome-kyrias-syntaxes-4/syntaxe-logo-thanatoy-proypotheseis-aponomes",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261013182415/https://www.e-efka.gov.gr/el/sychnes-eroteseis/syntaxeis/aponomes-kyrion-syntaxeon/me-misthotoi/iaponome-kyrias-syntaxes-4/syntaxe-logo-thanatoy-proypotheseis-aponomes"
    },
    {
      "id": "S7",
      "publisher": "e-ΕΦΚΑ",
      "title": "Συχνές ερωτήσεις: Σύνταξη λόγω θανάτου / Ποσό",
      "date": null,
      "language": "el",
      "official": true,
      "url": "https://www.e-efka.gov.gr/el/sychnes-eroteseis/syntaxeis/aponomes-kyrion-syntaxeon/me-misthotoi/iaponome-kyrias-syntaxes-4/syntaxe-logo-thanatoy-poso-0",
      "archive": null
    },
    {
      "id": "S8",
      "publisher": "Εθνικό Μητρώο Διοικητικών Διαδικασιών (mitos.gov.gr)",
      "title": "Απονομή Κύριας Σύνταξης λόγω Θανάτου Συνταξιούχου (ΔΔ 732848)",
      "date": "2026-09-29",
      "language": "el",
      "official": true,
      "url": "https://mitos.gov.gr/index.php/%CE%94%CE%94:%CE%91%CF%80%CE%BF%CE%BD%CE%BF%CE%BC%CE%AE_%CE%9A%CF%8D%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%B1%CF%82_%CE%A3%CF%8D%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%BE%CE%B7%CF%82_%CE%BB%CF%8C%CE%B3%CF%89_%CE%98%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%AC%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85_%CE%A3%CF%85%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%BE%CE%B9%CE%BF%CF%8D%CF%87%CE%BF%CF%85",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261013182539/https://mitos.gov.gr/index.php/%CE%94%CE%94:%CE%91%CF%80%CE%BF%CE%BD%CE%BF%CE%BC%CE%AE_%CE%9A%CF%8D%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%B1%CF%82_%CE%A3%CF%8D%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%BE%CE%B7%CF%82_%CE%BB%CF%8C%CE%B3%CF%89_%CE%98%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%AC%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85_%CE%A3%CF%85%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%BE%CE%B9%CE%BF%CF%8D%CF%87%CE%BF%CF%85"
    },
    {
      "id": "S9",
      "publisher": "Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης",
      "title": "ΥΠΕΚΑ Ν. Κεραμέως: Βάζουμε τέλος σε μία δεκαετή κοινωνική αδικία",
      "date": "2026-07-20",
      "language": "el",
      "official": true,
      "url": "https://ypergasias.gov.gr/ypeka-n-kerameos-vazoume-telos-se-mia-dekaeti-koinoniki-adikia-katargoume-tis-perikopes-stis-syntaxeis-chireias/",
      "archive": null
    },
    {
      "id": "S10",
      "publisher": "Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης",
      "title": "ΥΠΕΚΑ Ν. Κεραμέως: Ξεκινά η καταβολή των αυξημένων συντάξεων χηρείας στους δικαιούχους",
      "date": "2026-08-26",
      "language": "el",
      "official": true,
      "url": "https://ypergasias.gov.gr/ypeka-n-kerameos-xekina-i-katavoli-ton-afximenon-syntaxeon-chireias-stous-dikaiouchous-oristiko-telos-stin-koinoniki-adikia-tou-nomou-tsipra-katrougkalou/",
      "archive": null
    },
    {
      "id": "S11",
      "publisher": "Υπουργείο Εργασίας και Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης",
      "title": "Εγκύκλιος του Υφυπουργού Εργασίας Πάνου Τσακλόγλου σχετικά με την εθνική σύνταξη, το κατώτατο όριο σύνταξης λόγω θανάτου… και τις συντάξεις χηρείας μετά την πρώτη τριετία",
      "date": "2021-12-30",
      "language": "el",
      "official": true,
      "url": "https://ypergasias.gov.gr/egkyklios-tou-yfypourgou-ergasias-panou-tsakloglou-schetika-me-tin-ethniki-syntaxi-to-katotato-orio-syntaxis-logo-thanatou-tis-periptoseis-sorefsis-antapodotikon-syntaxeon-kai-tis-syntaxeis-chireias/",
      "archive": null
    },
    {
      "id": "S12",
      "publisher": "ΤΑ ΝΕΑ (Ηλίας Γεωργάκης)",
      "title": "Συντάξεις χηρείας: Οι 3+1 αδικίες με το νέο καθεστώς",
      "date": "2026-10-13",
      "language": "el",
      "official": false,
      "url": "https://www.tanea.gr/print/2026/10/13/economy/oi-31-adikies-crstis-syntakseis-xireias/",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261013182729/https://www.tanea.gr/print/2026/10/13/economy/oi-31-adikies-crstis-syntakseis-xireias/"
    },
    {
      "id": "S13",
      "publisher": "Εφημερίδα των Συντακτών (Λένα Κυριακίδη)",
      "title": "Συντάξεις χηρείας: Χιλιάδες δικαιούχοι εκτός της ρύθμισης",
      "date": "2026-07-22",
      "language": "el",
      "official": false,
      "url": "https://www.efsyn.gr/oikonomia/1432954/syntaxeis-hireias-hiliades-dikaioyhoi-ektos-tis-rythmisis/",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261013182905/https://www.efsyn.gr/oikonomia/1432954/syntaxeis-hireias-hiliades-dikaioyhoi-ektos-tis-rythmisis/"
    },
    {
      "id": "S14",
      "publisher": "newmoney.gr (Φίλιππος Πέτρου)",
      "title": "Συντάξεις χηρείας: Οι αλλαγές που φέρνουν απώλειες για δικαιούχους και οι εκκρεμότητες",
      "date": "2026-10-05",
      "language": "el",
      "official": false,
      "url": "https://www.newmoney.gr/roh/ergasiaka/sintaxis-chirias-i-allages-pou-fernoun-apolies-gia-dikeouchous-ke-i-ekkremotites/",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261013182902/https://www.newmoney.gr/roh/ergasiaka/sintaxis-chirias-i-allages-pou-fernoun-apolies-gia-dikeouchous-ke-i-ekkremotites/"
    },
    {
      "id": "S15",
      "publisher": "aftodioikisi.gr (Διονύσης Παπατριανταφύλλου)",
      "title": "Συντάξεις χηρείας: Τι έχει αλλάξει - Προ των πυλών μαζικές αγωγές",
      "date": "2026-07-30",
      "language": "el",
      "official": false,
      "url": "https://www.aftodioikisi.gr/ergasiaka-asfalistika/asfalistika/syntaxeis-chireias-ti-echei-allaxei-pro-ton-pylon-mazikes-agoges/",
      "archive": "https://web.archive.org/web/20261013182900/https://www.aftodioikisi.gr/ergasiaka-asfalistika/asfalistika/syntaxeis-chireias-ti-echei-allaxei-pro-ton-pylon-mazikes-agoges/"
    },
    {
      "id": "S16",
      "publisher": "ΤΑ ΝΕΑ (Εύη Σιμοπούλου)",
      "title": "Σύνταξη χηρείας με παραδείγματα: Πώς υπολογίζεται - Ποιοι θα δουν ουσιαστική αύξηση",
      "date": "2026-01-05",
      "language": "el",
      "official": false,
      "url": "https://www.tanea.gr/2026/01/05/economy/syntaksi-xireias-me-paradeigmata-pos-ypologizetai-poioi-tha-doun-ousiastiki-ayksisi/",
      "archive": null
    },
    {
      "id": "S17",
      "publisher": "Βήμα Ορθοδοξίας (Γιώργος Θεοχάρης)",
      "title": "ΦΑΚΕΛΟΣ ΣΥΝΤΑΞΕΙΣ ΧΗΡΕΙΑΣ 2026: Κατώτατα 446,87€ και 418,94€",
      "date": "2026-03-03",
      "language": "el",
      "official": false,
      "url": "https://www.vimaorthodoxias.gr/vima-orthodoxias-plus/fakelos-syntaxeis-chireias-2026-katotata-446-87e-kai-418-94e-ti-allazei-stin-trietia-kai-parathyro-eos-to-2030/",
      "archive": null
    },
    {
      "id": "S18",
      "publisher": "European Commission, Your Europe",
      "title": "Survivors' pensions and death grants: entitlement if living in another EU country",
      "date": "2024-12-19",
      "language": "en",
      "official": true,
      "url": "https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/work/social-security-and-benefits/death-grants/index_en.htm",
      "archive": null
    }
  ],
  "greekPassages": [
    {
      "id": "abolition",
      "source": "S1",
      "where": "Law 5322/2026, article 91, paragraph 1",
      "greek": "Οι περικοπές που προβλέπονται στην παρ. 5 του άρθρου 12 του ν. 4387/2016 (Α’ 85), για κύριες συντάξεις λόγω θανάτου, που χορηγούνται από τον Ηλεκτρονικό Εθνικό Φορέα Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης (e-Ε.Φ.Κ.Α.), σύμφωνα με τις διατάξεις του νόμου αυτού, παύουν να εφαρμόζονται. Οι κύριες συντάξεις λόγω θανάτου εξακολουθούν να καταβάλλονται με τα ποσοστά που ορίζονται στην παρ. 4 του άρθρου 12 του ανωτέρω νόμου.",
      "translation": "The cuts provided for in paragraph 5 of article 12 of Law 4387/2016 (A' 85), for main survivor's pensions granted by the Electronic National Social Security Fund (e-E.F.K.A.) under the provisions of that law, cease to apply. Main survivor's pensions continue to be paid at the percentages set in paragraph 4 of article 12 of the above law."
    },
    {
      "id": "writeoff",
      "source": "S1",
      "where": "Law 5322/2026, article 91, paragraph 4",
      "greek": "Οφειλές από ποσά κύριων συντάξεων που καταβλήθηκαν αχρεωστήτως έως την έναρξη ισχύος του παρόντος σε συνταξιούχους λόγω θανάτου του e-Ε.Φ.Κ.Α. παρά τα οριζόμενα στην παρ. 5 του άρθρου 7, στην παρ. 5 του άρθρου 12, καθώς και στις σχετικές με την παράλληλη ή διπλή ασφάλιση διατάξεις του ν. 4387/2016 διαγράφονται και δεν αναζητούνται. Το προηγούμενο εδάφιο δεν εφαρμόζεται σε περιπτώσεις εκ προθέσεως παραπλάνησης της συνταξιοδοτικής διοίκησης με τέλεση αξιοποίνων πράξεων.",
      "translation": "Debts arising from main pension amounts paid without being due, up to the entry into force of this provision, to e-E.F.K.A. survivor's pensioners contrary to paragraph 5 of article 7, paragraph 5 of article 12 and the provisions of Law 4387/2016 on parallel or dual insurance, are written off and are not reclaimed. The previous sentence does not apply in cases where the pension administration was intentionally misled through the commission of criminal offences."
    },
    {
      "id": "no-age",
      "source": "S2",
      "where": "Law 4611/2019, article 19, paragraph 1",
      "greek": "Οι ηλικιακοί περιορισμοί του πρώτου, δεύτερου και τρίτου εδαφίου της υποπαραγράφου Α΄ της παραγράφου 1 του άρθρου 12 του ν. 4387/2016 (Α΄ 85) καταργούνται. Οι συντάξεις λόγω θανάτου συνταξιούχου ή ασφαλισμένου καταβάλλονται στους επιζώντες συζύγους ανεξάρτητα από την ηλικία τους, ακόμα και μετά την παρέλευση τριετίας.",
      "translation": "The age restrictions in the first, second and third sentences of sub-paragraph A of paragraph 1 of article 12 of Law 4387/2016 (A' 85) are abolished. Survivor's pensions on the death of a pensioner or insured person are paid to surviving spouses regardless of their age, even after three years have passed."
    }
  ],
  "redlines": [],
  "corrections": [],
  "tags": [
    "pensions",
    "e-EFKA",
    "survivor's pension",
    "Law 5322/2026",
    "Law 4387/2016"
  ]
}