Guidance

Information for UK nationals affected by domestic abuse in Greece

Published 22 December 2025

What is considered domestic abuse in Greek law

In Greece, domestic abuse is legally defined by law 3500/2006, which has been amended and expanded by subsequent legislation, including law 4531/2018 and law 5172/2025.

Under law 3500/2006, domestic abuse is defined as:

Any act of physical, psychological, sexual, or economic violence that occurs within a family environment, which includes:

• spouses or former spouses
• cohabiting or former cohabiting partners (regardless of marital status)
• relatives by blood or marriage (up to the fourth degree)
• adoptive parents and children
• guardians, foster parents
• any person permanently residing in the same household

These acts are considered criminal offences when they:

• cause physical pain
• instil fear
• coerce someone against their will

Categories of domestic abuse

Greek law recognises the following forms of domestic abuse:

• physical violence – including beatings or bodily harm
• psychological violence – threats, intimidation, emotional manipulation
• sexual violence – this includes marital rape
• economic abuse – controlling finances, denying access to resources
• verbal abuse – insults, humiliation

If you want to report an incident to the police in Greece

• visit a police station or domestic abuse unit: see the Greek police’s webpage for details of what to expect
• call or text the police: if you can’t talk, send a text message to 112.  Make sure to give your exact address and state that it is an emergency
• confidentiality and privacy: the police officers will respect your confidentiality and protect your privacy. If needed, an interpreter will be provided
• forensic medical examination: if you have been subjected to physical or sexual violence, the police will offer to take you to hospital for a forensic medical examination. You may refuse should you not wish to do so
• Panic Button App: you can ask the police officer for access to a “panic button” geolocation smart device app, which you can use whenever you feel in danger. Please note that this is only available to those resident in Greece and have an AMKA (Greek social security number)
• incident log: The police will record your incident in their log system. Ask them for a copy of the police incident report
• support centres: The police should inform you about support centres for victims of domestic abuse that are available in your area

If you do not want to report an incident to the police in Greece

You do not have to report an incident of domestic abuse. However, if the police become aware of an incident that they consider to be domestic abuse, they are obliged to prepare a case file and inform the public prosecutor.

If you feel threatened or at risk, do not suffer alone or in silence.  Help and support are available to you in Greece.

• the SOS helpline for women: Call +30 210 15900 – available 24/7 for confidential support, information, and guidance on domestic abuse
• the social emergency helpline: Call +30 210 197 – available 24/7 for urgent social support, including help with domestic abuse, homelessness, and vulnerable individuals
• tour operators: contact them if you are travelling with one. They may be able to accompany you to the local hospital or police station or help you find alternative flights back home

• British consular services in Greece: Call +30 210 7272600. Press 1 and then 2 for consular support. We are here 24/7 to listen with empathy and without judgment.   Support can be offered with:

  • contacting family or friends
  • obtaining medical attention if needed
  • suggesting how to make alternative travel plans to the UK
  • providing you with local and UK support organisations
  • give you a list of English-speaking lawyers
  • contacting your insurance company, if you have one

If you want to report the incident to the police in the UK

If you are a UK national normally resident in the UK and have experienced domestic abuse while in Greece, you may decide to wait and report the incident to the UK police upon your return home. There are some important things to keep in mind if you decide to do this:

• report it in Greece first. It is advisable to report to the Greek police first if you want the incident to be investigated. This is the quickest way for evidence to be collected and action to be taken
• reporting to UK police. If you didn’t report the incident in Greece, you can still report it to the UK police when you return but it may take some time before local police are tasked to investigate. Police in the UK cannot investigate an incident in Greece they can only request, via Interpol, that the Greek police do so
• limitations: the UK police can request but not insist that the incident is investigated, nor can they investigate crimes that happened abroad. The decision to investigate and prosecute is up to the Greek authorities
• domestic abuse protection: the UK Police can support victims and issue domestic abuse protection notices or orders (DAPNs/DAPOs) in certain situations. However, these powers only apply within the UK and not to incidents that happened overseas

If you need medical treatment

If you have been injured, you can get medical care at the nearest state hospital or private clinic. You can also refer to our list of medical facilities in Greece for guidance.

At the state hospital, you can ask to be seen by a gender-specific doctor, if one is available, if this will make you feel more comfortable.

We encourage you to bring someone you trust with you for emotional support during your visit.

Children as victims of domestic abuse

Children are recognised as victims if they see, hear, or experience the effects of domestic abuse.  

Any case of domestic abuse involving children in Greece may be referred to the UK or Greek social services. 

Greek Social Services can formally inform their UK counterparts via the International Social Services channels. In the UK, this is CFAB, UK Branch of International Social Services 

Both the UK and Greece are signatories of the 1996 Hague Convention whose aim is to cover the handling of cross-border cases where children’s safety or welfare may be an issue. 

If your Tour Operator is aware of a case of domestic abuse involving children, they may make a referral to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children who have a mechanism of making a referral to UK local authorities. 

British Embassy Consular staff can support in such cases by: - providing advice and helping you contact the relevant authorities abroad if you have concerns about your child’s welfare - contacting authorities abroad to express our interest in a police, social services, or court case

Domestic abuse support organisations in Greece

SOS Helpline for Women	+30 15900	24/7 support for women experiencing violence
National Centre for Social Solidarity	+30 210 197	emergency social support
Union of Women Associations of Heraklion	+30 6974 301011	psychological, legal, and social support
Bright Sky Greece		mobile app and website offering information and support
The Smile of the Child	+30 1056	Services for minors and women. Psychosocial support and counselling.

Returning to the UK

If you are considering returning to the UK, you may also wish to contact support organisations.

Women’s Aid	0808 2000 247	National 24/7 helpline and support for women and children experiencing Domestic Abuse.
Women’s Aid Scotland	0800 027 1234	Support and refuge services for women across Scotland
Women’s Aid Wales	0800 80 10 800	24/7 helpline and support services in Wales
Women’s Aid Northern Ireland	0808 802 1414	Support and accommodation for women and children in Northern Ireland
Refuge	0808 2000 247	UK’s largest domestic abuse organisation for women and children
Southall Black Sisters	020 8571 0800	Advocacy and support for BAME women facing gender-based violence
Respect	0808 801 0327	Support for male victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse

Disclaimer

This information is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the British Embassy in Greece by the relevant local authorities, which may be subject to change at any time. It is intended to help British Nationals abroad make their own informed decisions. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and British Embassy will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.