ATHENS – The first day of residents in Greece 18-25 being able to apply for a prepaid card worth 150 euros ($176.78) if they had gotten at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine saw more than 120,000 apply, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said.

While the major opposition SYRIZA said the New Democracy government is trying to “bribe” the young to be vaccinated as the program has slowed, officials said the so-called “freedom pass” is an incentive that will protect public health and slow the spread of the deadly pandemic.

It can be used to cover costs in travel and entertainment, such as plane and ferry tickets, hotel bookings, music, theater and cinema, museums and archaeological sites that have opened, most available only to the fully vaccinated.

Applicants can use the gov.gr website, using their taxisnet codes. If they don’t have any, they will need to issue them at the Citizens Service Centers (KEP). Their bank will then call them directly within two days to arrange the delivery of the card, the report said.