Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, in a written answer on 17 July 2026, defended the EU's supportive role in Greek primary healthcare reform while acknowledging persistent challenges such as staff shortages and high out-of-pocket payments. The answer, responding to a question from MEP Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos (NI), stressed that under Article 168(7) TFEU, Member States retain responsibility for organising health services, and the EU's role is limited to cooperation, funding, and policy guidance.
The Commissioner pointed to several measures under Greece's recovery and resilience plan that can address the problems: a reform of the primary healthcare system including renovation of units, medical equipment delivery, training of providers, and a referral mechanism; reform of the personal doctor system; and creation of a national health map. He also noted that the European Semester has repeatedly recommended Greece ensure adequate and equal access to healthcare, with the 2026 proposed recommendation specifically highlighting the need to tackle shortages of nurses and doctors and reduce out-of-pocket payments.
Várhelyi's answer did not directly address the MEP's claim that EU NextGenerationEU funding for energy upgrades of health centres is subsidising construction groups rather than improving care. Instead, he framed the renovations as part of a broader reform package. On the high share of private health expenditure (34.3% in 2023, according to Eurostat), the Commissioner noted that out-of-pocket payments have declined by about 3 percentage points over the past decade but remain among the highest in the EU. He reiterated that the Commission continues to monitor the situation through the European Semester and Country Reports.
The answer contains no new concrete proposals or numerical targets, instead reaffirming existing EU tools and recommendations. Institutional follow-up is expected through the ongoing European Semester cycle and implementation of Greece's recovery and resilience plan, with the next Country Report likely to again stress health workforce and financing challenges.