Greek nurses to gain arduous profession status, early retirement option

Nurses and other healthcare professionals in Greece are set to gain new retirement benefits under a draft law that classifies their work as arduous and unhealthy.

The proposed legislation includes nurses, nursing assistants, and ambulance drivers and rescuers, allowing them to retire at age 62. To qualify, individuals must have at least 15 years of insurance contributions, with a minimum of 12 years spent in these specific roles. The law also permits the recognition and purchase of previous employment time to meet these requirements.

This move aims to rectify a long-standing disparity where healthcare workers hired before 2011, who were under public pension schemes, were excluded from arduous profession benefits. Their colleagues hired later, performing identical duties, already benefited from these provisions. The new law ensures equal insurance and retirement rights for all.

Additionally, the legislation offers the option for voluntary enrollment in supplementary insurance and allows for the recognition and purchase of prior service time. This can be paid in a lump sum or installments to help individuals meet the necessary pension requirements. The recognized time counts as actual insurance time and does not count towards the maximum limits for recognized insurance.