The preparation of Regulations for the Special Financial Support Scheme for Owners of Occupied or Inaccessible Properties from the utilisation of the 0.4% fee paid in the event of a transfer by virtue of the sale of real estate and/or shares of a company, which is not listed on any recognised Stock Exchange and which directly or indirectly owns real estate, as well as any other income that may arise, has been undertaken by the Central Agency for Equal Distribution of Burdens.
As stated in his statements to CNA, the Deputy Director of the Agency, George Sofokleous, stated that the draft Regulations have already been sent to the Ministry of Finance and are being processed.
Regarding student loans, Sophocleous said that the issuance of loan installments for the new academic year 2026/2027 will begin on 1 August, 2026, calling on beneficiaries to contact the Housing Finance Corporation to withdraw the amount. At the same time, he noted that the submission of applications for the new academic year is continuing.
Also, in relation to the number of applications for the first semester of 2026, Sophocleous said that 317 applications for studies have been received, compared to 416 during the same period in 2025.
Regarding applications for mortgage interest rate subsidies, he reported that for the first half of 2026, 506 applications have been received, compared to 559 applications during the same period in 2025.
In addition, he reported that for all application purposes for the first half of 2026, 969 applications have been received, compared to 1,031 during the same period in 2025.
The Deputy Director of the Agency urged beneficiaries whose student loan applications "have already been examined and approved" by the Central Agency to go to the branches in their district from 3 August, 2026 (since 1 August is a Saturday) to withdraw the amount due to them for the academic year in question.
He added that for this purpose, they should present or send to the Housing Finance Corporation their registration for 2026/2027, while for those who have not yet registered and this academic year is neither the first nor the last year of study, the exam results of the year that ended can be presented to withdraw the new installment of their loan and once they secure registration, they should present this as well.
He also mentioned that for first-year students, the offer of the position can be accepted, while for those whose last year of studies is 2026/2027, the beneficiary will be able to receive 50% of the corresponding installment upon presentation of the results of the previous year until the registration is presented for the remaining 50% to be received.
Applications for the new academic year continue
At this point, Sophocleous said that the submission of applications for the new academic year 2026/2027 is continuing and the last date for this year is 31 January, 2027.
"Applications can also be submitted by those who are already studying, if this is not their first year of studies for coverage with a loan from the Central Agency for the remainder of their studies," he noted.
He added that those eligible to submit an application to the Central Agency are those who own occupied property, either themselves, or their parents or grandparents, or even their uncles/aunts.
He stated that the amounts granted for studies, always depending on the value of the beneficiary's property, can cover annual tuition fees, where applicable, and maintenance expenses depending on the country of study.
Specifically, referring to the amounts, Sophocleous said that €11,000 concerns studies in the USA and Canada, €10,000 for studies in the United Kingdom, France and Italy, €8,000 for studies in Greece and other countries not mentioned by name, €1,700 for studies in Military Schools in Greece, €5,000 for studies in Cyprus (area of study different from the area of residence) and €2,500 for studies in Cyprus (area of study same as the area of residence).
The Ministry of Finance sent regulations for a support plan, regulations are also being prepared for 'KtiZo'
Furthermore, Sophocleous told CNA that the Ministry of Finance has assigned the Central Agency to prepare Regulations for the Special Plan for Financial Support for Owners of Occupied or Inaccessible Properties from the utilisation of the 0.4% fee paid in the event of a transfer by virtue of the sale of real estate and/or shares of a company, which is not listed on any recognised Stock Exchange and which directly or indirectly owns real estate, as well as any other income that may arise.
He added that the draft Regulations have been sent to the Ministry of Finance and are being processed.
He also stated that the Central Agency has been assigned the creation of Regulations for the Special Scheme for Lending Purposes to Potential Beneficiaries of the 'KtiZo' Scheme for the provision of loans by the Central Agency to beneficiaries with the aim of securing the amount they need to cover their contribution for the reconstruction of residential units.
"These Regulations are in the final stages of preparation so that they can be sent to the Ministry of Finance for further action," Sophocleous concluded.
(Sources: CNA, InBusinessNews)
