Care homes in Greece: private homes, KAPI day centres and what to expect

Care by country · 4 min read · Last updated 30 October 2026

Greece has very few state-run care homes, and public spending on long-term care is low. Families, often with paid carers at home, provide most care. For people moving from abroad, a private home paid for out of pocket is usually the realistic route, so it pays to check licences, documents and contracts carefully.

How care is organised

Responsibility is split across several ministries, and the services are not well connected to each other. The Ministry of Health sets quality and accreditation standards for private and state care homes. Local authorities run community services. According to the Global Observatory on Long-Term Care, out-of-pocket payment is the main source of funding for older adults, and there is no private long-term care insurance market.

Care for older people in Greece comes in several forms, and the differences matter when you compare options.

  • Private licensed homes: fee-paying businesses, concentrated in large urban areas, especially Attica (Athens).
  • State-run homes: very few, and they can have long waiting lists.
  • Church-run homes: the Greek Orthodox Church runs some homes that can be free of charge, again with waiting lists.
  • Unlicensed providers: a "grey zone" of unlicensed homes exists. Ask to see the licence before you commit.

Day centres and help at home

  • KAPI (Open Care Centres for the Elderly): social, recreational and some health support for people who are still living independently. They are widespread but are not a place to live.
  • KIFI (day care centres): daytime care for older people, including those with mobility difficulties or dementia, run by local authorities. They are not available in every area.
  • Help at Home (Voitheia sto Spiti): a public home-help programme run by local authorities. It prioritises people who live alone, lack family support or have low incomes, and coverage varies by area.

What foreign residents need

According to UK government guidance, nursing homes may accept foreign nationals who can afford the fees, who are not bedridden, and who hold a resident's biometric ID card, an AMKA number (Greek social security number) and a valid passport. Admission criteria differ between homes, and many are oversubscribed.

To use state social and medical care at all, the same guidance says you need a valid residence document, a tax number (AFM), an AMKA and a valid passport. It also says holders of a Golden Visa are not entitled to state health or social care. If you have not registered for state healthcare, you may have to pay privately, so health insurance matters.

Choosing a private home

  • Ask for the home's licence and check it independently.
  • Ask what is included in the monthly fee and what is charged extra. Compare using our guide to care home costs.
  • Ask whether a nurse is on site around the clock and how a medical emergency is handled.
  • Ask which languages staff speak, and whether paid personal carers are allowed in addition to home staff.
  • Ask for the contract in advance, with a translation, and check the notice period and price-increase clause.
  • If possible, start with a short stay (see our guide to respite and short stays) before committing.

Our guide to moving a parent abroad covers healthcare cover, power of attorney and residency. Get local legal advice on how your relative's documents will be treated in Greece.

Next steps

Browse care homes in Greece, then use the visit checklist when you speak to or visit each one.

Frequently asked questions

Are Greek care homes mostly private?

Yes. Most are private and charge fees. There are only a few state-run homes, and the Greek Orthodox Church runs some others. Both can have long waiting lists.

Is there public funding for care homes in Greece?

Public spending on long-term care is low and out-of-pocket payment is the main source of funding. Some community services such as Help at Home are publicly provided, but coverage varies and you may need to pay privately.

What documents does a foreigner need to enter a Greek nursing home?

According to UK government guidance, a resident's biometric ID card, an AMKA number and a valid passport, plus the ability to pay the fees. Requirements differ by home, so ask each one.

Sources and further reading

This guide is general information only, compiled from the public sources listed above as of the date shown. It is not legal, medical, tax, financial or care advice, and we cannot guarantee that it is complete, accurate or up to date. Rules, thresholds and prices change and differ by country and region, and some sources describe other countries' rules as examples. Check details with the authorities and care homes named, and take professional advice for your own situation before you act. If you spot an error, please email [email protected] and we will correct it.