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Refugee Committee: Considers Referral of Regulation for Loan Balance Subsidy

Published March 24, 2026, 17:14
Refugee Committee: Considers Referral of Regulation for Loan Balance Subsidy

The Parliamentary Refugee Committee continues to discuss the proposed law on the National Fund for Loss of Use of Occupied Properties, while the legislation for subsidizing mortgage interest rates from zero has already been implemented, without burdening the first 1% for the borrower. A referral of a regulation for subsidizing the loan balance is expected to be put before the Plenary Session. Committee President Nikos Kettiros described the publication of the regulations for subsidizing the interest rate from the beginning as a "very good day for the refugee world," as this means additional subsidies for many refugees with loans and properties in the occupied territories. Now, the Equal Burden Sharing Fund will subsidize the entire interest rate, except for the 0.5% that the borrower will pay. This amendment was submitted by AKEL and passed by a majority, while the Government is expected to submit new legislation to reinstate the obligation for the borrower to pay the first 1%. At the same time, the referral for subsidizing the loan balance will be decided by the Plenary Session of the Parliament. MP Giorgos Karoullas of DISY emphasized that the discussion on the Loss of Use Fund is not merely a technical or legal issue, but a deeply political one, concerning the dignity of refugees.