Contributions of 1.2 million increased by 9.6% since the beginning of the year. freelancers, self employed and farmerswho are asked to choose between 6 categories of insurance for basic insurance and health, paying from 240.25 euros per month to 630.6 euros per month. The amounts increase if professionals are also insured for additional or one-time insurance.

The decision was signed yesterday by the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Pano Tsakloglu, based on the provision of Law 4670/2020, which provides for the adjustment of contributions for inflation (9.6%). In fact, despite initial thoughts about possible help for the self-employed, intermediaries and the energy crisis, the decision does not mention the contribution of 10 euros that self-employed freelancers are required to pay for unemployment, which remains.

The choice of insurance category has been extended until February 12, 2023.

Thus, a self-employed person with an annual income of 20,000 euros, who previously chose the lowest category of insurance and paid 210 euros, will pay 230.25 euros from January 2023 (January premiums will be paid in February) until the end of the year. for basic insurance and health care contributions, plus €10 for an unemployment account maintained by State Employment Service. It should be noted that, as “K” showed, more than 80% of freelancers have chosen the lowest insurance category for 2022, whose contributions, if they remain in it, will increase by 20 euros. Of course, the fee is higher, about 35 euros for professionals who choose the 3rd category, or even about 54.6 euros for the 6th category and above. Accordingly, additional and one-time contributions also increase by 9.6%, which leads to an increase in the burden on professional groups whose insurance is provided for in specific sectors. For example, contributions for the 1st of 3 insurance categories for a surcharge amount to 42.76 euros per month, and for the corresponding category for a one-time fee – 28.51 euros.

According to the decision, the new contributions will come into force on January 1, 2023 and are divided into six different classes. The insured have the opportunity to freely choose the class of contributions they will pay. At the same time, according to the decision of his administration EFKA the possibility to choose an insurance category has been extended until February 12, 2023.

It should be noted that in Ministry of Labor point to the paradox that the basic pension contributions of the self-employed who chose the first insurance category (more than 8 out of 10) are even lower than those of those working on the minimum wage. In particular, in 2022, the monthly pension and health contribution for the self-employed in the first insurance category was 210 euros per month. Accordingly, the contributions of an employee who is paid the minimum wage last year (after doubling the minimum wage) amounted to 225.4 euros per month (with a deduction of 14 wages).