- Homosexuality
- ⚢✖ Male illegal, female uncertain
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✖ Civil unions
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✔ Legal, surgery not required
- Non-binary gender recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✔ Illegal
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Adoption
- ✖ Single only
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✔ Banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
Suggest Public Opinion Data
Until Jan 10, 2022
Until May 10, 2022
Until Jan 1, 2022
Public Opinion
Acceptance of homosexuals as neighbors ?
Ranked #36 out of 79 regions surveyed. (Source: World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
(33.3%) Mentioned homosexuals
Did not mention homosexuals (66.3%)
Justifiability of homosexuality ?
Ranked #31 out of 79 regions surveyed. (Source: World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
(38.3%) Not justifiable
Justifiable (27.6%)
Opinion on same-sex couples as parents ?
Ranked #60 out of 74 regions surveyed. (Source: World Values Survey, 2017-2020)
(65.5%) Disagree
Agree (8.7%)
"Should society accept homosexuality?" (2019) ?
Ranked #21 out of 34 regions surveyed. (Source: Pew Research Center, May–October, 2019)
(47%) No
Yes (48%)
Support for same-sex marriage in Central and Eastern Europe ?
Ranked #5 out of 19 regions surveyed. (Source: Pew Research Center, June 2015-July 2016)
(70%) Oppose
Favor (26%)
"Should society accept homosexuality?" (2016, Eastern/Central Europe) ?
Ranked #2 out of 19 regions surveyed. (Source: Pew Research Center, June 2015-July 2016)
(44%) No
Yes (50%)
"Should society accept homosexuality?" (2013) ?
Ranked #16 out of 39 regions surveyed. (Source: Pew Research Center, June, 2013)
(40%) No
Yes (53%)
Perceived Acceptance of Gay People ?
Ranked #68 out of 119 regions surveyed. (Source: Gallup, 2013)
(61%) Not a good place
Good place (24%)
By The Numbers
51.7%
of Greeks support gay marriage
60.2%
of Greeks support the legal recognition of gender identity
38.9%
of Greeks support the adoption of children by same-sex couples
(diaNEOsis, 2022)
69%
of Orthodox Christians support the Church's position on refusing to perform same-sex marriages
26%
oppose
(Pew Research Center, 2017)
History
Homosexual activity in Greece is male illegal, female uncertain.
Current status
Since Dec 23, 2015
Since Dec 23, 2015
Same-sex marriage in Greece is civil unions.
Current status
Since Dec 23, 2015
Since Dec 23, 2015
Civil unions
In December 23, 2015, the Hellenic Parliament voted with 193 votes (56 against and 51 abstentions), the law on the extension of the cohabitation agreement to homosexual couples.
Unrecognized, same-sex marriage and civil unions banned
Cohabitation agreement, corresponding to civil union, was instituted in Greece, in November 26, 2008, only available to opposite-sex couples. In April 2006, former President of the PA.SO.K. party, George Papandreou proposed to Parliament the recognition of unmarried same-sex or heterosexual couples. However, the project was not accepted by the LGBT organizations as it was considered that it would not have any benefit in their rights, since it prohibited the adoption of children.
Censorship of LGBT Issues in Greece is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
In Greece, there are no laws restricting to discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
Right to change legal gender in Greece is legal, surgery not required.
Current status
Since Oct 10, 2017
Since Oct 10, 2017
Legal, surgery not required
To change one's legal gender in Greece, the legal requirements are a forced divorce (if married, due to the inability of performing same-sex marriage) and a court order. Non-binary people are to choose male or female.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Greece is not legally recognized.
Current status
Since Feb 13, 2018
Since Feb 13, 2018
Not legally recognized
Gender-neutral names can be used on IDs and birth certificates, following the case of Jason-Antigone Dane, but one can only legally identify as male or female
LGBT discrimination in Greece is illegal.
Current status
Since Dec 24, 2015
Since Dec 24, 2015
Illegal
Greece prohibits discrimination and hate crimes based on sex characteristics, which are among the strongest laws on the subject in Europe
LGBT employment discrimination in Greece is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Dec 9, 2016
Since Dec 9, 2016
Sexual orientation and gender identity
In December 9, 2016 the Hellenic Parliament passed the law 4443/2016, which added as 'suspicious' criteria of discrimination "color", "ethnic origin", "pedigree", "chronic disease", "marital status", "social status", "gender identity" and "gender characteristics", while the term “genetic orientation”, which was used in law 3304/2005, was corrected to sexual orientation. The concept of multiple discrimination was also standardized
Sexual orientation only
The Community/Union legislation (directive 2000/78) prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workspace. Later on it was transferred to the Greek legal order, with law 3304/2005, almost verbatim. The greek translation of the directive and the greek law referred to sexual orientation as “genetic orientation”.
Same-sex adoption in Greece is single only.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 1996
Since Jan 1, 1996
Single only
joint and step pending. Legalization pending. Currently being implemented in foster care.
Serving openly in military in Greece is legal.
Current status
Legal
Since 2002.
Blood donations by MSMs in Greece is legal.
Current status
Since Jan 10, 2022
Since Jan 10, 2022
Legal
In January 10, 2022 the Greek Minister of Health, Thanos Plevris, and the Deputy Minister of Health, Mina Gaga signed the determination of the content of the "Blood Donor History". In the new form, sexual orientation is disconnected from the criteria that must be met by prospective blood donors.
Until Jan 10, 2022
Banned (indefinite deferral)
In order to donate blood, blood donors had to fill out a form called "Blood Donor History”, issued by the National Blood Donation Center, which stated that donating blood is prohibited for “anyone who had been in a homosexual relationship since 1977”
Conversion therapy in Greece is banned.
Current status
Since May 11, 2022
Since May 11, 2022
Banned
The amendment, introduced in the context of the bill on the "Personal Doctor", introduces a ban on so-called "treatments or conversion practices", ie methods aimed at changing or suppressing the sexual orientation, the gender identity or expression of an LGBT+ individual.
The amendment, however, does not include adults who, as stated in Parliament, can undergo conversion therapy with their consent. There is also no mention of people practicing these therapies other than specialists, leaving a legal loophole for spiritual leaders and priests. The LGBT+ organizations protested and demanded the inclusion of all the above
The amendment, however, does not include adults who, as stated in Parliament, can undergo conversion therapy with their consent. There is also no mention of people practicing these therapies other than specialists, leaving a legal loophole for spiritual leaders and priests. The LGBT+ organizations protested and demanded the inclusion of all the above
Ambiguous
In May 10, 2022 the Greek Minister of Health, Thanos Plevris submitted an amendment to the bill for the “personal doctor”, based on article 1 of which institutes the prohibition of practical conversions to vulnerable individuals by professionals. With the term "professionals" the amendment defines those who receive remuneration to proceed with such "treatments", leaving a legal gap in practices e.g. of the Church, such as exorcism or other covert practices, which do not involve remuneration. Also, the term "vulnerable" means minors or those who are under legal assistance.
At the same time, the provision prohibits professionals from inviting, promoting or advertising conversion practices performed by themselves or other third parties, professionals or not.
Violation of the law in addition to the prescribed disciplinary and administrative sanctions, will be punished with imprisonment and a fine, while the repeated commission of the above act constitutes an aggravating circumstance.
At the same time, the provision prohibits professionals from inviting, promoting or advertising conversion practices performed by themselves or other third parties, professionals or not.
Violation of the law in addition to the prescribed disciplinary and administrative sanctions, will be punished with imprisonment and a fine, while the repeated commission of the above act constitutes an aggravating circumstance.
Until May 10, 2022
Not banned
Conversion Therapies for LGBT people are held openly in Greece with the tolerance of the state as well as the responsible associations of mental health specialists. Research on this issue indicates that such therapies involve spiritual or religious leaders, alternative healers (homeopaths, energy therapists, etc.) as well as health and mental health professionals.
Today, while some psychologists continue to use therapies such as disgust, the most commonly used techniques include a variety of behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytic, and other practices that seek to change or reduce a person's same-sex attraction or gender identity. Lesser known but still active practices are beatings, sexual violence - even rape -, isolation, deprivation of food, electroshock, administration of drugs and other drugs, psychological violence, as well as exorcisms or other sessions.
The church is also promoting these therapies through the church-funded omofylofilia.gr site.
Today, while some psychologists continue to use therapies such as disgust, the most commonly used techniques include a variety of behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytic, and other practices that seek to change or reduce a person's same-sex attraction or gender identity. Lesser known but still active practices are beatings, sexual violence - even rape -, isolation, deprivation of food, electroshock, administration of drugs and other drugs, psychological violence, as well as exorcisms or other sessions.
The church is also promoting these therapies through the church-funded omofylofilia.gr site.
Until Jan 1, 2022
Not banned
Proposed criminalization. Conversion therapy ban country wide pending. Condemned by European Psychiatrists.
Equal age of consent in Greece is equal.
Current status
Since Dec 23, 2015
Since Dec 23, 2015
Equal
The Civil Union act also equalized the age of consent at 15
LGBT Rights by department
View the LGBT laws in each individual department of Greece.
- AchaĂŻa
- Aitolia kai Akarnania
- Argolida
- Arkadia
- Arta
- Attiki
- Chalkidiki
- Chania
- Chios
- Dodekanisos
- Drama
- Evros
- Evrytania
- Evvoia
- Florina
- Fokida
- Fthiotida
- Grevena
- Ileia
- Imathia
- Ioannina
- Irakleio
- Karditsa
- Kastoria
- Kavala
- Kefallonia
- Kerkyra
- Kilkis
- Korinthia
- Kozani
- Kyklades
- Lakonia
- Larisa
- Lasithi
- Lefkada
- Lesvos
- Magnisia
- Messinia
- Pella
- Pieria
- Preveza
- Rethymno
- Rodopi
- Samos
- Serres
- Thesprotia
- Thessaloniki
- Trikala
- Voiotia
- Xanthi
- Zakynthos
- Anatoliki Makedonia kai Thraki (administrative regions)
- Attiki (administrative regions)
- Dytiki Ellada (administrative regions)
- Dytiki Makedonia (administrative regions)
- Ionia Nisia (administrative regions)
- Ipeiros (administrative regions)
- Kentriki Makedonia (administrative regions)
- Kriti (administrative regions)
- Notio Aigaio (administrative regions)
- Peloponnisos (administrative regions)
- Sterea Ellada (administrative regions)
- Thessalia (administrative regions)
- Voreio Aigaio (administrative regions)
- Agio Oros (self-governed part)