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Financing of religions

The Orthodox Church of Greece is the only religious institution funded by the state. The Church of Greece is financed through the direct payment of salaries of its employees (clergy and layty), who are civil servants, through tax exemptions and through social benefits (including health insurance).

Other religions may receive state funding through regular procedures (e.g. open calls from local authorities or central government), available for every group and association, but they have to pay the salaries for their staff themselves and they do not enjoy the same financial privileges and tax exemptions as the Orthodox Church.

The Greek state funded the construction and functioning of the first official state sponsored mosque in Athens, in Votanikos area, which opened in 2020.

D 15 December 2022    AAlexandros Sakellariou

CNRS Unistra Dres Gsrl

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