Housing Benefit When You Have a Roommate in Greece: What You Need
Many people look for information about this every year, but most of what they find is written in complicated official language.
So, we decided to make it simple.
Can you get housing benefit if you live with a roommate in Greece? Do you need to be on the rental agreement? What happens if the rent is only in your roommate’s name?
In this guide, we explain what you need to know about housing benefits and living with a roommate in Greece, in simple terms.
Important: This article refers specifically to the housing benefit rules applicable in Greece.
Can I get housing benefit if I have a roommate?
Yes, having a roommate does not automatically mean that you lose your right to housing benefit.
What matters is how the property, the rental agreement and the household are officially declared.
For the Greek Housing Benefit (Επίδομα Στέγασης), one of the main requirements is that the property is your main rented residence and that there is a valid electronic rental agreement for the period of the benefit.
So, the first thing you need to check is not simply whether you have a roommate, but how your accommodation and rental agreement are officially registered.
What is the Housing Benefit in Greece?
The Housing Benefit is a government program that provides rental support to households renting their main residence.
The amount starts at €70 per month for a one-person household and increases depending on the household composition, up to €210 per month.
Indicatively:
| Household composition | Monthly benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 person | €70 |
| 2 adults | €105 |
| 3 members | €140 |
| 4 members | €175 |
| 5+ members | €210 |
However, there are also income, asset and other eligibility criteria, so not everyone who rents a home automatically qualifies for the benefit.
Sharing a home and the rental agreement: this is the important part
If you are looking for a room in a shared apartment, one of the first things you should ask the landlord is:
“Will I officially be included in the rental agreement?”
The electronic rental agreement is an important part of the Housing Benefit application.
This means that you should not automatically assume that because you pay money to your roommate every month, you are officially considered a tenant for the purposes of the benefit.
Example
George rents an apartment for €700 per month.
He finds a roommate, Nick, who pays him €350 every month.
If Nick is not officially included in the rental arrangement, his situation is different from someone who has an official rental agreement covering their accommodation.
Before agreeing to rent a room, you should therefore clarify:
- Who is listed on the rental agreement?
- Who is the official tenant?
- Is there an electronic rental agreement?
- Is the accommodation officially declared?
- How is the shared accommodation registered?
- Who is responsible for the rental agreement?
What if the rental agreement is only in my roommate’s name?
This is one of the most common questions.
If the apartment is rented exclusively in your roommate’s name and you simply pay them your share of the rent every month, do not assume that you automatically have the same rights as an official tenant.
The Housing Benefit is connected to the official rental agreement and the household information.
So, before renting a room, make sure you understand exactly how your accommodation will be officially declared.
Do not rely only on a verbal agreement or a simple bank transfer to your roommate.
Does my roommate need to have the same income as me?
Not necessarily.
What matters is who is considered a member of the household according to the rules of the benefit.
The Housing Benefit is calculated based on the household composition and total income, while there are also asset-related criteria.
Therefore, the simple logic of:
“I live with a friend, so our incomes are automatically added together”
is not necessarily correct.
The important thing is how the living arrangement and household composition are officially declared.
What do you need to apply for the Housing Benefit?
The application for the Housing Benefit in Greece is submitted electronically using TAXISnet credentials.
It can also be submitted through the relevant municipal services or Community Centres.
Among other things, you may need:
1. An electronic rental agreement
There must be a declared and accepted electronic rental agreement for the main residence, which is valid for the period covered by the benefit.
2. Tax information
Your income information is checked electronically and there are specific income limits depending on the household composition.
3. IBAN
You need an active bank account in which the applicant is the account holder or a joint account holder.
4. Electricity
The electricity supply contract for the rented property must be in the name of the applicant or a member of the household.
How much income can you have?
For the Housing Benefit in Greece, the income threshold starts at €7,000 per year for a one-person household and increases by €3,500 for each additional member, up to a maximum threshold of €21,000 depending on the household composition.
For example:
- 1 person: up to €7,000
- 2 members: up to €10,500
- 3 members: up to €14,000
- 4 members: up to €17,500
- 5+ members: up to €21,000
Important: These are only the income criteria. There are also other requirements that must be met.
What if I am a student and have a roommate?
This is where you need to pay particular attention.
The Student Housing Allowance in Greece is a different program from the standard Housing Benefit.
There is a specific procedure for student cohabitation, and the student you live with must, among other requirements, have an active academic identity and a Greek Tax Identification Number (AFM).
So, if you are a student looking for a room with a roommate, do not automatically apply the rules of the standard Housing Benefit.
The Student Housing Allowance is a different benefit with different requirements.
What should you ask before renting a room with a roommate?
If housing benefit is important for your budget, ask these questions before you agree to rent:
Tenant checklist
☐ Is there an electronic rental agreement?
☐ Will I officially appear on the rental agreement?
☐ Who will be the official tenant?
☐ Will the property be declared as my main residence?
☐ What exactly will be stated in the rental agreement?
☐ How will the shared accommodation be declared?
☐ Who pays the electricity and whose name is the electricity contract under?
☐ Are utilities and other household expenses paid separately?
☐ If I am applying for the Student Housing Allowance, do I meet the specific student requirements?
These questions can help you avoid unpleasant surprises later.
Sharing a home means lower costs
One of the biggest advantages of sharing a home is that it can significantly reduce your actual housing costs.
If an apartment costs €800 per month:
1 person:
€800 + bills
2 roommates:
€400 + bills per person
3 roommates:
€267 + bills per person
The difference can be significant, especially in cities with high rental prices such as Athens and Thessaloniki.
And this is one of the reasons why more and more people choose to rent a room instead of an entire apartment.
Find a roommate who is right for you
Finding an affordable room is only the first step.
The real challenge is finding the right person to share your home with.
Is your roommate tidy?
Do they prefer a quiet home?
Do they work from home?
Do they smoke?
Do they have similar schedules?
Do they have similar habits and expectations about shared living?
These things can make a huge difference to your experience.
That’s why at Flatshare.gr, the goal is not only to help you find a room, but also to help you find people who are compatible with you.
You can create your profile for free and discover people looking for roommates, based on their preferences and compatibility.
Because finding a room is important.
Finding the right roommate is even more important.
Frequently Asked Questions About Housing Benefit and Roommates
Can I get housing benefit if I live with a friend?
Sharing a home does not automatically exclude you from receiving housing support. However, you need to check which benefit applies to your situation and how the rental agreement and household are officially declared.
Can I apply for housing benefit if the rental agreement is in my roommate’s name?
You should not assume that you automatically qualify. The application is connected to the official rental agreement and household information, so check how your accommodation and your participation in the rental arrangement are officially declared.
Do I need an electronic rental agreement?
For the Housing Benefit, an electronic rental agreement is an important requirement.
How much is the Housing Benefit?
The Housing Benefit ranges from €70 to €210 per month, depending on the household composition and provided that the applicable eligibility criteria are met.
Is the Student Housing Allowance the same thing?
No. The Student Housing Allowance is a separate program with different eligibility requirements and specific rules regarding student cohabitation.
Does this article apply to Greece?
Yes. This guide refers specifically to the housing benefit and rental rules applicable in Greece.
Conclusion
Sharing a home can make the cost of housing much more manageable, especially in cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki.
However, when you are also considering housing benefits, it is not enough to simply agree with a friend to split the rent.
Before renting, make sure you understand:
who is listed on the rental agreement, how the property is officially declared, which benefit applies to you and whether you meet the relevant requirements.
And if you are looking for a roommate, start with the most important question:
Find the person who fits you — then find the home.