The Greek Health Ministry is taking decisive action to address critical shortages in key medical specialties by offering a €40,000 incentive to new doctors who choose to train in General/Family Medicine or Internal Medicine.
This initiative aims to attract young physicians to these underserved fields, where Greece lags significantly behind the European average.
Doctors who begin their training in 2025 at hospitals with vacancies and no waiting lists will be eligible for the financial incentive.
"This initiative addresses pressing staffing gaps in hospitals nationwide," the ministry stated, emphasizing its commitment to enhancing the quality of healthcare services across Greece.
The incentive will be disbursed in two installments: two-thirds at the start of training and the remaining third upon completion.
To further strengthen primary healthcare, General/Family Medicine trainees will be required to serve as personal doctors at Health Centers during their fifth year of specialization.
Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis highlighted the urgency of addressing the physician shortage, particularly in Internal Medicine, a critical issue facing healthcare systems across Europe.
He noted that recent policy changes have already encouraged many doctors to return to the National Health System (NHS).
Deputy Health Minister Eirini Agapidaki emphasized the government's dedication to supporting young doctors and building a sustainable healthcare system.
"This demonstrates our dedication to creating a robust NHS capable of meeting the needs of all citizens," she stated.
This initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening Greece's healthcare workforce and ensuring equitable access to essential medical services for all.