Greece Enacts 'Right to be Forgotten' Law for Cancer Survivors

Greece has officially enacted legislation establishing the "Right to be Forgotten" for individuals who have undergone cancer treatment. This significant legal development aims to shield cancer survivors from discrimination, particularly when seeking access to financial and credit products.

The new law, published in the Government Gazette on July 10, 2026, and set to take effect on November 20, 2026, creates a clear legal framework. It specifically prohibits the use of personal data concerning a consumer's oncological diagnosis for insurance contracts tied to credit agreements, provided five years have passed since the completion of their treatment without any recurrence of the disease.

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ELIOK, as the National Hub of the European Mission for Cancer (Hellenic Cancer Mission Hub), along with its member organizations and significant allies, has worked systematically to secure the Right to be Forgotten in Greece.

This means individuals with a cancer history will no longer face discriminatory barriers in insurance contracts linked to consumer credit, as long as they have completed their active treatment and remained cancer-free for five years. The Hellenic Federation of Cancer Patients-Associations-Alivive (ELIOK) has welcomed this advancement, emphasizing its role in aligning national policy with European priorities.

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We acted as a bridge between European priorities and their implementation at the national level, strengthening cooperation between patients, relevant public authorities, policymakers, the banking and insurance sectors, and all stakeholders.

"ELIOK, as the National Hub of the European Mission for Cancer (Hellenic Cancer Mission Hub), along with its member organizations and significant allies, has worked systematically to secure the Right to be Forgotten in Greece," stated Giorgos Kapetanakis, President of ELIOK. He highlighted the organization's function as a bridge between European directives and national implementation, fostering collaboration among patients, public authorities, policymakers, and the banking and insurance sectors.

Kapetanakis further noted that this legislation establishes a transparent framework, preventing unjustified obstacles for cancer survivors. By adopting the five-year post-treatment period, Greece joins countries like France, Belgium, and Spain in pioneering this protective measure for cancer survivors.

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The legislative enactment of the Right to be Forgotten is a particularly important development for all individuals with cancer experience in Greece. First of all, it shapes a simple, transparent, and cohesive framework of protection so that individuals with a history of cancer do not face unjustified obstacles due to their previous diagnosis. It also places Greece among the most pioneering countries in Europe, adopting the minimum time limit of five years after the completion of treatment, which is currently applied by France, Belgium, and Spain.