ESPN Thematic Report on Challenges in long-term care - Greece

In Greece, long-term care (including prevention and rehabilitation services) continues to be an underdeveloped policy area, given that there are no comprehensive formal longterm care services guaranteeing universal coverage. The state’s involvement is rather limited and consequently long-term care remains a ‘family affair’. In 2014, Greece allocated only 2% of overall health spending to long-term care, which is far lower than the EU-27 average of 15%.

Long-term care is based on a mixed ‘quasi-system’ of services comprising formal (provided by public and private entities) and informal care, with primary responsibility for the financial and practical support of dependants resting firmly on the family. State support for non-self-sufficient elderly people and disabled people (children and adults) in Greece includes disability and welfare benefits, limited direct provision of institutional care, coverage of some care needs through public social insurance and a range of community-based services.

The services provided are of limited coverage, and their supply falls well short of demand; they are inadequate to meet the ever-rising needs in this area. Thus, informal care is estimated to cover the lion’s share of the need for long-term care among the Greek population; it makes up for the weaknesses and inadequacies of the Greek health and social care system.