Planning for later life as a British person in Greece
Information on planning your future medical and social care, estate and finances in Greece.
Planning to live abroad
You’re responsible for your welfare if you live abroad. As part of your planning, consider your future health and social care requirements. Social care means the type of care or support needed to help with day-to-day living. You may need social care if you have a long-term illness, a disability or reduced ability in older age.
Read Living in Greece and Greece travel advice for guidance on topics including:
- residency
- healthcare
- passports
- safety and security
- emergency help
- support available in Greece
Choosing where to live in Greece
In Greece, social care is provided by your local municipality or ‘dimos’ (δήμος in Greek). This is the equivalent to a UK local council.
Check this list of all Greek municipalities.
Social care services vary greatly across Greece, with significantly fewer resources in rural areas and on small islands. Check what your local municipality offers and how far you are from services, including:
- medical facilities
- nursing homes
- day care centres for the elderly
- public transport
Access to doctors and hospitals varies across Greece. You may have to travel to a larger hospital in a regional capital.
If you live on one of the smaller islands, you may need an air transfer for some types of medical treatment.
Finding a translator or interpreter
Many social care service providers do not speak English.
You may need an English-speaking translator or interpreter in Greece. They can help you understand information and services.
Staff at your nearest British consulate can offer basic information. However, they cannot act as interpreters nor go with you to appointments.
Getting state social and medical care in Greece
You must be legally resident in Greece and have the right documents to get state-funded social and medical care.
To get care, you must have a:
- valid residence document – this is proof that you are in the country legally
- tax number (ΑΦΜ) and completed tax returns
- Greek social insurance number (AMKA number)
- valid passport
If you do not have these documents, you should:
- apply for or renew your British passport
- apply for residency – the ‘Visas, residency and citizenship’ section in Living in Greece has information on how to do this
If you are resident in Greece on a Golden Visa (officially called a Permanent Residence Permit for Investors), you are not entitled to any state health or social care.
Health insurance
If you have not registered for state healthcare, you may not be eligible for it and may have to pay for private healthcare.
Get appropriate insurance to cover any private treatment you need. Check your insurance document for restrictions, for example, on:
- pre-existing conditions
- age limitations
- emergency medical evacuation from remote places and islands
Find medical facilities where some staff speak English in your area.
Care after leaving hospital
You do not have an automatic right to social care after leaving hospital. You will be expected to make personal arrangements to receive care at home and cover payment privately.
Finding help and support near you: community centres
Visit your nearest community centre (website in Greek), or Κέντρα κοινότητας, in Greek, to find out what help is available to you.
There are centres in every town or district with more than 10,000 people. Not all remote areas have community centres. There are some mountainous, rural and island municipalities with mobile units that serve people in those areas.
At community centres you can learn about welfare benefits, services and programmes for social care. They can give counselling support on:
- employment issues
- domestic abuse
- legal issues
- older people’s needs
Social care centres and programmes
Help at Home programme
The Help at Home programme (website in Greek) is for people who:
- are older and not able to fully care for themselves
- have mobility impairments
- have health problems
The programme prioritises people who:
- live alone
- do not have full family care
- are on low income
Your community centre, or the social services in your area, will decide whether you are eligible to access the Help at Home programme. The level of service varies greatly across Greece. If you need daily care, you may need to consider getting it privately.
Open Care Centres for the Elderly (KAPI)
Open Care Centres for the Elderly (KAPI) or, in Greek, Κέντρα Ανοιχτής Προστασίας Ηλικιωμένων (ΚΑΠΗ), serve as a source of care, information and community for elderly residents. Check the list of KAPI around the country or visit your local community centre to find your nearest KAPI.
Open Care Centres offer:
- psychological and emotional support
- social care for older people
- medical and pharmaceutical care and hospital care
- physiotherapy
- occupational therapy
- organised entertainment
- visits to museums, archaeological sites and camps
Day Care Centres for the Elderly (KIFI)
Day Care Centres for the Elderly (KIFI) or, in Greek, Κέντρα Ημερήσιας Φροντίδας Ηλικιωμένων (ΚΗΦΗ), provide daytime accommodation for older people with mobility difficulties, dementia and other problems that prevent them from caring for themselves. They also support carers who are working or have serious social, economic or health problems that affect their ability to provide care.
The centres are in specially designed spaces and can accommodate older people for most of the day. They provide services such as:
- nursing care
- care to meet practical living needs
- personal hygiene
- creative employment programmes
These day care centres are not available in all areas and, where they do exist, they may not have the resources to support everyone in need of care. Ask at your local community centre to find your nearest one.
Nursing homes
There are nursing homes (Μονάδες Φροντίδας Ηλικιωμένων, in Greek) in most regional capitals in Greece. Most of these are private and require payment. They may agree to take you, as a foreign national, if you:
- can afford the fees
- are not bedridden
- have a resident’s biometric ID card, AMKA number and a valid passport
Not all nursing homes have the same admission criteria and many are oversubscribed.
There are only a small number of state-run nursing homes in Greece. The Greek Orthodox Church also maintains some nursing homes around the country. Refer to your local community centre (website in Greek) for availability and eligibility criteria. There may be long waiting lists for places at these homes.
If you were living in Greece before 1 January 2021
If you were living in Greece before 1 January 2021, you may be eligible for UK Attendance Allowance.
Your finances, will and estate in Greece
Tax and pensions
Our Living in Greece and Moving, living and retiring abroad guides include information on:
- paying tax abroad
- claiming a UK State Pension
- avoiding pension payment interruptions by replying to ‘life certificate’ requests
- transferring a pension abroad
You may have to pay Greek income tax if you earn money from:
- savings
- property
- public or private pensions
You should find an English-speaking lawyer in Greece or an accountant for more advice.
You must report changes to your personal circumstances (such as address and bank account) to the UK Pension Service to avoid them stopping your pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for help.
Lasting power of attorney
A lasting power of attorney gives you more control over what happens to you if you have an accident or an illness and cannot make your own decisions.
A lasting power of attorney made in the UK may not be valid in Greece. For advice find an English-speaking lawyer in Greece.
Wills
Find an English-speaking lawyer in Greece to get advice on whether you can make a Greek will and what you need to do.
Funeral plans
UK funeral plans may not be valid in Greece. If there is no valid plan in place, your family or friends will be expected to pay for the services themselves.
Keep a paper copy of your plan and make sure your family knows where it is.
Fill in the back page of your passport with your next-of-kin information, even if estranged. This is especially important if you live alone. You can also add information about a trusted person who lives in your local area and is aware of your plans.
There are very few crematoria in Greece. Among those that do exist are:
- Ritsona Crematorium (Αποτεφρωτήριο Ριτσώνας) between Evia and Athens
- Hyperion Cremation Centre (Υπερίων Kέντρο Αποτεφρώση Νεκρών) in Thessaloniki
Read advice on what to do when someone dies in Greece.
Reporting safeguarding concerns
If you’re concerned about someone’s mental capacity or their ability to take care of themselves, you can tell the police, public prosecutor or your local social services if you’re:
- the person concerned
- an immediate family member (husband, wife, child, parent or sibling)
If the court decides you need help due to illness or disability, they may appoint a judicial guardian to help you. They’ll look after your interests and make decisions for you if necessary.
Returning to the UK
For information on returning to the UK from Greece, read our Living in Greece guide.
Age UK has information on returning to the UK after living abroad.
You may wish to consider returning to the UK due to factors such as:
- declining mental or physical health
- language barriers
- financial pressures
- lack of support from family or friends
Disclaimer
We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the relevant Greek authorities.
Read our consular information disclaimer.