Greece - Long-term care benefits
This chapter covers all you need to know about long-term care benefits in Greece.
Here you will find information on:
- the "Aid at Home" programme (ΒΟΉΘΕΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΣΠΊΤΙ)
- the "Aid at Home of Pensioners" programme (ΚΑΤ’ ΟΊΚΟΝ ΦΡΟΝΤΊΔΑ ΣΥΝΤΑΞΙΟΎΧΩΝ)
- the Day Care Centres for the Elderly (ΚΈΝΤΡΑ ΗΜΕΡΉΣΙΑΣ ΦΡΟΝΤΊΔΑΣ ΗΛΙΚΩΜΈΝΩΝ - Κ.Η.Φ.Η.)
- the Open Protection Centres for the Elderly (ΚΈΝΤΡΑ ΑΝΟΙΚΤΉΣ ΠΡΟΣΤΑΣΊΑΣ ΗΛΙΚΙΩΜΈΝΩΝ - Κ.Α.Π.Η.)
In what situation can I claim?
Greece does not apply a separate long-term care scheme. There are, however, various programmes for the care of the elderly.
"Aid at Home" programme (ΒΟΉΘΕΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΣΠΊΤΙ): provides domestic assistance to elderly people who live alone constantly or for some hours a day and cannot adequately take care of themselves, and also to disabled people who face situations of isolation, exclusion or family crisis.
The "Aid at Home" programme includes two more programmes: the "Domestic Social Care" programme, which is intended for uninsured elderly persons and persons with disabilities, and the "Home Nursing" programme, which aims at post-hospital care and recuperation of patients in their own home.
"Aid at Home of Pensioners" programme (ΚΑΤ’ ΟΊΚΟΝ ΦΡΟΝΤΊΔΑ ΣΥΝΤΑΞΙΟΎΧΩΝ): you can benefit from the programme if you are on an old-age, invalidity or survivor's pension provided by insurance organisations incorporated in the e-National Social Security Fund (e-EFKA). Beneficiaries of the programme also include retired civil servants on old-age, invalidity or survivor's pension, as well as uninsured senior citizens on former OGA pension, who temporarily or permanently deal with health problems or disability. You must live on your own or with a spouse or another person who meets the remaining requirements for inclusion in the programme.
The state of your health must render it impossible for you to take care of yourself or cover your daily needs. The programme does not cover pensioners who stay at public, private or voluntary residential care institutions, or at nursing facilities covered by the National Health System (ESY) or private clinics.
Day Care Centres for the Elderly (ΚΈΝΤΡΑ ΗΜΕΡΉΣΙΑΣ ΦΡΟΝΤΊΔΑΣ ΗΛΙΚΩΜΈΝΩΝ - Κ.Η.Φ.Η.): day care facilities for elderly individuals who cannot fully care for themselves (due to mobility problems, dementia, etc.) and whose families are unable to care for because they work or because they face serious social and economic or health problems.
Open Protection Centres for the Elderly (ΚΈΝΤΡΑ ΑΝΟΙΚΤΉΣ ΠΡΟΣΤΑΣΊΑΣ ΗΛΙΚΙΩΜΈΝΩΝ - Κ.Α.Π.Η.): these Centres are intended for residents living in the area of the Centre who are over 60 years of age, regardless of their financial and social situation.
What conditions do I need to meet?
- "Aid at Home" programme: access to the programme is provided on the basis of income criteria.
- Aid at Home of Pensioners: eligibility criteria are related to age, income, marital status, state of health and the temporary or permanent nature of the dependence.
- Day Care Centres for the Elderly: no additional requirements.
- Open Protection Centres for the Elderly: no social or financial criteria have been set.
What am I entitled to and how can I claim?
"Aid at Home" programme: the programme provides primary health services offered by a nurse of the programme and includes house visits for measuring and recording blood pressure, etc., prescribing medication and accompanying you to the hospital for your scheduled examinations.
At the same time, the programme's family assistant undertakes to run outside errands, purchase necessities and clean the house. Family assistants also have the additional task of offering companionship.
The "Aid at Home" programme also aims at the nursing and recovery of the elderly in their own homes.
The programme is implemented under the auspices of the local municipal authorities throughout the country, where you file your application.
"Aid at Home of Pensioners" programme: the programme aims at the systematic provision of social work services, psychosocial support, nursing care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and domestic help, as well as facilitating the participation of the elderly and disabled in cultural, entertainment, social and religious activities.
In order to gain access to the programme, you must file an application with the e-EFKA branch in your area after the launching of a relevant call for expressions of interest.
Day Care Centres for the Elderly: these centres operate on specially designed premises on a daily basis and can accommodate elderly people for a short time period during the day, offering them care services (daily hygiene and nursing), entertainment and creative activities.
Open Protection Centres for the Elderly: these centres provide various entertainment activities, medical care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, instructions on medical treatment and hospital care. Open Protection Centres for the Elderly operate under the auspices of municipal authorities throughout Greece.
Know your rights
The link below provides a legal definition of your rights. It is not an European Commission website, nor does it represent the views of the Commission:
Who do you need to contact?
Municipalities
1555 – Number for Citizens’ communication and service on insurance, labour and social issues