Allowances
Social Solidarity Allowance for Uninsured Elderly Persons
The uninsured elderly persons and those who do not meet the requirements for pension eligibility are paid the Social Solidarity Allowance for Uninsured Elderly Persons on condition that they have reached the age of 67 and are not paid or are not entitled to receive pension from abroad or any insurance or welfare provision from Greece, the amount of which is higher than the full allowance amount of 360 euros on a monthly basis. Additional requirements for this allowance can be found in article 93 of Law. 4387/2016 (G.G. Α’ 85). The Organisation of Welfare Benefits and Social Solidarity (OPEKA) is the body responsible to provide this allowance. Beneficiaries may contact the OPEKA Services either by phone at 210 – 6241888 (call center) or online at opeka.gr.
Since the entry into force of Law 4387/2016, the Social Solidarity Allowance for Uninsured Elderly Persons has replaced the pension for uninsured elderly persons of Law 1296/1982 (Α’ 128), as amended by Law 4093/2012 (Α’ 222). The uninsured elderly persons, who were beneficiaries of the said provision before the entry into force of Law 4387/2016, shall be paid the said pension, in accordance with the relevant provisions.
Units for the Elderly
a) Short-term care
Adult Day care Centers
The Adult Daycare Centers (Κ.I.F.I.) [Decision No. Π1γ/ΑΓΠ/οικ. 14963/9-10-2001 (Β’ 1397), as amended by decisions No. Π1γ/ΓΠ/οικ. 11801/5-2-2003 (Β’ 160) and Δ27/οικ. 9746/409/4-4-2013 (Β’ 914)]are day care centers for elderly persons who cannot care for themselves (due to mobility difficulties, dementia, etc), whose family members are working or have serious social and financial difficulties or health problems and therefore cannot look after them. KIFI units aim at improving the quality of life of the elderly and helping them remain in their natural family environment as well as helping their families or relatives who look after them maintain a normal social and working life.
KIFI units are established and run by profit and non-profit making Local Self-Government enterprises and private law agencies, as well as by natural persons, in urban and semi-urban areas. At operational level they are associated with KAPI centers that may operate in the same area. A license issued by the relevant Region is required for the operation of a KIFI.
The elderly who wish to attend a KIFI as well as their families may address themselves to the social services of the relevant municipalities.
b) Long-term care
Care Units for the Elderly
Long-term care for the elderly, who can or cannot care for themselves, is provided by Care Units for the Elderly (ΜFI), that operate in the form of non-profit making (established by charities, the Church, etc) or profit making (established by private persons) Private Law Legal Entities. The relevant Region issues the license for the establishment and the operation of a MFI, in accordance with the provisions of Law 2345/1995 and the requirements set by Decision No. Π1γ/οικ. 81551/15-6-2007 (Β’ 1136), as in force. Moreover, the main requirement for the legal operation of a non-profit making body is its registration at the National Register of Social Care Private Institutions.
Chronic Disease Hospitals
Long-term care for patients with chronic diseases is provided by Chronic Disease Hospitals that are licensed by the relevant Regions, by virtue of P.D. 631/1974 (Α΄ 271).