The Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family launched a public online consultation on Thursday, June 25, 2026, for a new bill titled “Personal Assistant, Early Intervention, and Other Active Policies for People with Disabilities, Housing Policy Provisions, and Other Arrangements.” The bill consolidates critical interventions across disability policy, child protection, housing, existing social programs, and the organization of ministry structures and procedures.
“With this bill, we are moving forward with specific changes that strengthen social policy in practice. We are permanently establishing the Personal Assistant program, making Early Childhood Intervention universal, institutionally securing social housing, and reinforcing programs and structures that have already proven their worth. Our goal is for support policies to acquire permanent characteristics, to operate more effectively, and to respond to the real needs of citizens. We invite all interested parties to participate in the public consultation with their proposals and observations, so that the final bill is even more functional and effective,” said Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Domna Michailidou.
Domna Michailidou: What the bill includes
The bill consists of 7 parts and 64 articles, covering the full range of the ministry’s key interventions in the areas of disability, child protection, and social cohesion.
The most critical provisions address the following:
Permanent establishment of the “Personal Assistant” program: The flagship program, which has made a distinctive contribution to independent living and equal participation for people with disabilities, now acquires a permanent, nationwide character.
Fast-track social housing on inactive military sites (TAETHA properties): The original framework of the Ministry of National Defence is being amended, opening the door for the implementation of programmatic agreements concerning properties held by the National Defence Real Estate Fund (TAETHA). A pioneering fast-track procedure is being established that bypasses the extremely time-consuming traditional methods — such as the issuance of Presidential Decrees — saving valuable time without any compromise to institutional oversight. The goal is the immediate technical and urban planning preparation of the properties, enabling the Ministry to transform inactive military bases into thriving communities within months rather than years. On these sites, modern military and social housing units will be constructed, complete with all necessary supporting infrastructure — including nurseries, pharmacies, and grocery stores — providing immediate and permanent housing solutions for citizens and Armed Forces personnel.
Universal implementation of Early Childhood Intervention: New provisions are introduced for existing programs, with the Early Childhood Intervention program as the centerpiece — now made universal, continuing to play a decisive role in the national deinstitutionalization policy.
Expansion of demographic and housing programs: The terms of the Demographic Development Program are being amended to allow for broader participation, while housing benefit support continues as normal for eligible beneficiaries under the “Kalypsi” (Coverage) Program.
Greater autonomy for 17,000 visually impaired citizens: Provisions are made for a Mobility and Skills Instructor Training process, resolving the longstanding shortage of specialized instructors essential to the independence of blind citizens.
Digitization and National Disability Portal: The operation of the portal is being regulated and organized through the systematic integration of digital systems — including the Disability Card, Digital Registry, and Disability Benefits Registry — while a new Structures Registry is being established to improve overall system efficiency.
Operational strengthening of OPEKA: The scope and resources available to the Organization are being expanded, leveraging its administrative experience and expertise. The new provisions empower OPEKA to manage active social inclusion and welfare programs, creating an environment of greater efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
The bill will remain open for public consultation on opengov.gr until July 10, 2026.
