Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Planning in Greece: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Coordinate Palliative Care, Home Nursing, and Health Coverage (EOPYY / ESY)

   Early integration of specialist symptom management and home support helps maintain quality of life and reduces avoidable emergency hospitalizations in Greece [1][2]:

   • Public and accredited palliative care services (Law 5007/2022): Under Greece's institutional framework for palliative care (Law 5007/2022) overseen by the Ministry of Health of the Hellenic Republic, interdisciplinary palliative care (Ανακουφιστική Φροντίδα) is organized through Specialized Palliative Care Structures (Δ.Α.Φ.Α.), hospital pain clinics (Ιατρεία Πόνου και Παρηγορητικής Φροντίδας) within the National Health System (ΕΣΥ), and mobile home-care teams [1][2]. Ask the treating specialist or oncology/internal medicine clinic for a referral to the hospital's Pain and Palliative Care Clinic and request a comprehensive written medical summary (Ιατρική Γνωμάτευση) [1][2].
   • EOPYY coverage and home delivery of high-cost medicines: The National Organization for the Provision of Health Services (EOPYY) covers prescribed medical consumables, oxygen therapy, nutritional support, and zero-copayment or reduced-copayment medications for recognized serious and chronic conditions via the electronic prescription system (ΗΔΙΚΑ) using the patient's AMKA number [1][2]. Patients with serious illnesses can also register online with EOPYY's Home Delivery of High-Cost Medicines (Φάρμακα Υψηλού Κόστους - ΦΥΚ κατ' οίκον) and municipal Help at Home (Βοήθεια στο Σπίτι) nursing programs [2].
2. 2

   Record Medical Treatment Preferences and Designate a Healthcare Proxy

   Documenting medical wishes while your family member is able to communicate clearly ensures that treating physicians and relatives have explicit guidance if the patient later becomes unable to consent [1][3]:

   • Informed consent and advance treatment preferences (Law 3418/2005): Under the Greek Code of Medical Ethics (Law 3418/2005, Articles 11 and 12), no medical intervention may be performed without the patient's prior informed consent, and a competent adult has the right to accept or refuse specific medical treatments after full disclosure by the physician [1]. Under Article 12(3) of Law 3418/2005, when a patient can no longer give consent, the physician must take into account any wishes previously expressed by the patient (προγενέστερα εκφρασθείσες επιθυμίες) regarding pain management, intensive care, or life-prolonging interventions [1].
   • Designating a trusted healthcare representative and notarial statement: While your family member has full capacity, they can record their care preferences and name a trusted family member or representative to be consulted by doctors in a written declaration entered into the hospital medical record, and reinforce this through a formal declaration or mandate before a Greek notary (Συμβολαιογράφος) or a digital authorization on gov.gr for accessing medical files (Ατομικός Ηλεκτρονικός Φάκελος Υγείας - ΑΗΦΥ) and hospital records [1][3]. Note that active euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide remain prohibited under Greek criminal law, whereas comprehensive palliative pain relief and the refusal of disproportionate or futile treatment are legally protected [1][2].
3. 3

   Execute Notarial Powers of Attorney and Bank Mandates While Capacity Is Intact

   In Greece, if a person loses mental capacity without having executed a valid power of attorney, family members cannot manage property or bank accounts without petitioning the Court of First Instance for Judicial Support (Δικαστική Συμπαράσταση under Articles 1666 et seq. of the Greek Civil Code), which takes several months [3][6]:

   • Notarial Power of Attorney (Συμβολαιογραφικό Πληρεξούσιο): For banking transactions, pension collection, tax management (AADE), real estate administration, or representation before healthcare and social security bodies, your family member should execute a General or Special Notarial Power of Attorney (Συμβολαιογραφικό Πληρεξούσιο) before a licensed Greek notary while retaining full legal capacity (Δικαιοπρακτική Ικανότητα) [3][6]. If the ill person cannot travel to a notary's office due to mobility limitations, Greek notaries regularly attend the patient's home or hospital room to execute the deed [3][5].
   • Digital authorizations on gov.gr and Greek bank mandates: For routine administrative errands before public authorities and Citizens' Service Centers (ΚΕΠ), your family member can issue a legally binding Digital Authorization (Έκδοση εξουσιοδότησης) or Solemn Declaration (Υπεύθυνη Δήλωση) online via gov.gr using personal Taxisnet credentials or web banking codes and SMS verification [3]. Simultaneously, check with each Greek commercial bank (such as National Bank of Greece, Eurobank, Alpha Bank, or Piraeus Bank) because banks often require their own specific Notarial Power of Attorney wordings or in-branch co-signatory verification [3][6].
4. 4

   Activate Disability Certification (KEPA), Financial Allowances, and Caregiver Leave

   A serious or life-limiting illness often qualifies the patient for disability pensions, care allowances, tax exemptions, and workplace caregiver protections in Greece [4]:

   • Disability evaluation through the Disability Certification Center (KEPA): Submit an electronic application through the National Disability Portal on gov.gr (or call the national social security and labor helpline 1555) for medical assessment by the Disability Certification Center (KEPA) (Κέντρο Πιστοποίησης Αναπηρίας) of e-EFKA [4]. The application can be filed by the patient or by an authorized representative holding a notarial power of attorney or digital authorization, after the treating physician uploads the electronic medical file (Εισηγητικός Φάκελος Παροχών Αναπηρίας) [3][4]. For homebound or hospitalized patients, the physician can request a home assessment (κατ' οίκον εξέταση) or document-based evaluation by the KEPA medical committee [4].
   • Disability benefits (e-EFKA / OPEKA) and statutory caregiver leave: A KEPA disability rating (typically 67% or 80% and above) unlocks e-EFKA disability pensions, the extra-institutional care allowance (Εξωιδρυματικό Επίδομα) or severe disability welfare allowances administered by OPEKA, zero-copayment medication status, and income/property tax reductions with AADE [4][6]. Working family members employed in the private sector in Greece are entitled under Law 4808/2021 (implementing EU Directive 2019/1158) to statutory caregiver leave (Άδεια Φροντιστή) of up to 5 working days per year, as well as the right to request flexible working arrangements or remote work when caring for a close relative with a serious medical need [4].
5. 5

   Review Wills, Civil Records, and Cross-Border Estate Documents

   Organizing succession documents and property records in advance prevents administrative disputes and simplifies future estate filings in Greece [5][6]:

   • Executing or reviewing a Greek will: Under the Greek Civil Code, a will must be made personally by the testator while possessing full testamentary capacity - it can never be signed by an agent under a power of attorney [5]. While a Holographic Will (Ιδιόγραφη Διαθήκη) written, dated, and signed entirely in the person's own hand is valid, executing a Public Will (Δημόσια Διαθήκη) before a Greek notary in the presence of three witnesses (or a notary and a second notary) provides maximum legal security against challenges and is registered in the national Register of Wills (Μητρώο Διαθηκών) accessible via gov.gr [5].
   • Organizing property, tax (E9 / ENFIA), and cross-border records: Gather the person's Greek identity card, Family Status Certificate (Πιστοποιητικό Οικογενειακής Κατάστασης) via gov.gr, myAADE / E9 property statements, Hellenic Cadastre (Κτηματολόγιο) sheets, and insurance policies [5][6]. If your family member holds assets in another country or is a foreign citizen residing in Greece, consult a notary regarding the choice of applicable succession law under the EU Succession Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 650/2012) and ensure that any foreign powers of attorney carry a Hague Apostille and official Greek translation [5][6].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Institutional Framework for Palliative Care in Greece (Law 5007/2022) — Ministry of Health of the Hellenic Republic (moh.gov.gr)
2. [2]
   National Action Plan for Palliative Care 2025-2030 and Specialized Care Structures — Ministry of Health of the Hellenic Republic (moh.gov.gr)
3. [3]
   Issuance of Digital Authorization (Έκδοση εξουσιοδότησης) — Hellenic Republic (gov.gr)
4. [4]
   Application for Disability Evaluation and Certification (KEPA) — Hellenic Republic (gov.gr)
5. [5]
   Register of Wills (Μητρώο Διαθηκών) and Notarial Will Procedures — Hellenic Republic (gov.gr)
6. [6]
   Succession, Estate Planning, and Tax Obligations in Greece — Hellenic Republic (gov.gr / AADE)