Greek farmers intensify protests over delays in EU payments – photos, video

Greek farmers have intensified the protests that began in November due to delays in the payment of subsidies that farmers were supposed to receive from OPEKEPE (the Greek agency that distributes EU subsidies). This was reported by national media, in particular in.gr, ekathimerini, topontiki and others.

The delays were caused by an investigation into a corruption scandal. According to the investigation, some farmers may have forged land ownership documents with the assistance of government officials to receive payments. The checks are still ongoing, which has slowed down further payments.

The funding delays come at a time when Greek farmers are struggling with an outbreak of sheep pox that has led to the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of sheep and goats.

The protesters brought thousands of tractors to block important routes, including the main highway between Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as routes to borders and ports.

On the eve of the blockades, they became the most widespread. On the island of Crete, protesters entered the runway of the airport in Heraklion, which led to the suspension of flights.

Similar attempts were made in other places, including near airports and border crossings.

The police used tear gas and special means against the blockers in an attempt to prevent the blocking of critical infrastructure.

On Tuesday, protesters also held a two-hour blockade of bypass roads, and on Wednesday a group of farmers with tractors will travel to Volos to help farmers and fishermen in Magnesia who are blockading the port.

At a meeting held yesterday in Trilofos (Thessaloniki), farmers from the area decided to blockade particularly important infrastructure, such as the Kalokhori oil refinery, the Central Macedonia region building and the port of Thessaloniki.

The government says it is ready for a dialogue, but warns that it will not allow a complete blockade of strategic points – airports, ports, border crossings.

According to government officials, if and when tensions ease, the parties are expected to meet for talks a week before Christmas.

Until then, the government will struggle to disburse about half of the €1.2 billion in aid, or about €600 million, which is scheduled to be paid on December 31.

Farmers' protests in Greece are commonplace, and similar blockades in the past have sometimes led to several weeks of road traffic between the north and south of the country.

The subsidy scandal has led to resignations of five high-ranking officials in June and the phased closure of the state agency that handled agricultural subsidies. Dozens of people were arrested on suspicion of submitting false claims as a result of an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor's Office.

The EU's independent financial crime watchdog said in late October that the investigation was related to "systematic large-scale subsidy fraud and money laundering activities."

According to the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), in 2025, 37 people were detained as part of an investigation into agricultural subsidy fraud, and they are considered members of an organized criminal group.

According to the investigation, this group abused the system by deliberately submitting false applications (e.g., fake data on land or animals), declaring "shares" or "property" that did not actually exist or did not meet the criteria.

The amount of the fraud that has been established is in the tens of millions of euros. The EPPO estimates the losses at at least EUR 19.6 million.

• In mid-November 2025 polish farmers are back on the streets to protest against EU policies and imports from Ukraine.