Healthcare workers in Greece’s Ionian Islands are raising concerns over the suspension of a housing and meal allowance for doctors, warning that the move is placing additional financial pressure on medical staff and could further complicate efforts to recruit and retain healthcare professionals in the region.
The monthly allowance of €450, which had been provided by the regional authority, was discontinued in February 2026. According to healthcare representatives, the subsidy had helped cover accommodation and living expenses for doctors working in island communities where the cost of living is particularly high.
Medical workers note that the basic salary for doctors stands at around €1,100 per month, rising to just over €1,500 with additional on-call duties. They argue that high rental costs and everyday expenses make it increasingly difficult to cover living costs without additional support.
Rising Costs in a Tourist Region
Doctors working in the area say the allowance was introduced to offset the higher costs associated with living in a popular tourist destination, where housing, food and other essentials are significantly more expensive.
According to healthcare workers, the benefit was approved in September 2024 but was later revoked following a decision by the regional council in January 2026, taking effect the following month. As a result, doctors have now gone several months without the additional support.
They argue that the subsidy played an important role in helping healthcare professionals afford accommodation and remain in island communities.
Concerns Over Staffing Shortages
Healthcare union representatives say the original purpose of the allowance was to attract doctors to health centers and local medical facilities that struggle to fill vacancies.
They criticize the decision to end the subsidy, arguing that staffing essential healthcare services should not depend on local initiatives alone. Instead, they call for national measures, including higher salaries and stronger incentives, to ensure adequate staffing across island healthcare facilities.
The issue comes amid broader concerns about understaffing in the region’s health services. Healthcare representatives report shortages of both medical specialists and support staff, which they say can leave important medical equipment unused due to a lack of qualified personnel.
They warn that continued staffing challenges could affect healthcare services for both permanent residents and the large number of visitors who travel to the islands each year.
