Greece ends financial penalty for cancer survivors with new law

Greece has enacted a new law that eliminates discrimination against cancer survivors in insurance and loan applications. The legislation, which aligns with a European Union directive, establishes a "right to be forgotten." This right prohibits the use of personal data related to a cancer diagnosis for insurance contracts linked to credit agreements, provided five years have passed since the completion of treatment.

“

With this law, we are mitigating economic and social inequalities against people who have had an experience with cancer.

The European Union integrated the "right to be forgotten" into its consumer credit directive in 2023, requiring member states to adopt the provision by November of this year. Greece has implemented this directive with a five-year post-treatment waiting period, following the example of Belgium, Spain, and France. This move places Greece among leading European nations in policies for cancer survivors.

Giorgos Kapetanakis, president of the Hellenic Federation of Cancer Patients, emphasized that the law addresses a significant problem, particularly for young people and children treated for cancer. Previously, these individuals, even after recovery, were unable to secure loans for housing or business ventures. "With this law, we are mitigating economic and social inequalities against people who have had an experience with cancer," he stated.

“

Cancer cannot be a lifelong financial penalty. When a person has completed their treatment and five years have passed, they have proven they can fully return to their personal and professional lives. It is not logical to treat them as high-risk forever.

Konstantinos Raikos, a businessman who had cancer at a young age, called the regulation particularly important. "Cancer cannot be a lifelong financial penalty," he said. "When a person has completed their treatment and five years have passed, they have proven they can fully return to their personal and professional lives. It is not logical to treat them as high-risk forever." Raikos added that the regulation enhances equal access to financing and insurance products without preventing lenders from assessing actual risk.

“

As a person who has had cancer, I know that the greatest victory after treatment is to be able to continue your life without the disease following you forever.