The Health Ministry and Airbnb.org have launched a partnership to provide free accommodation for doctors and nurses on five Aegean islands.
Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis met on Tuesday 28 July 2026 with Olympia Christofilea, Deputy Governor of the Second Health Region of Piraeus and the Aegean, and Airbnb Public Policy Manager Nikos Alexiou to announce the pilot.
Airbnb.org is a non-profit organisation founded by Airbnb to provide emergency housing during crises.
The initiative aims to house doctors and nurses staffing public health facilities during the high-demand summer period.
The pilot will run from late July until late September on Santorini, Paros, Ios, Rhodes and Tinos.
It extends Airbnb.org's medical stays programme, which offers free accommodation to individuals and families who need to travel away from home for medical treatment. The programme currently operates in ten countries.
In Greece, the partnership with the Second Health Region addresses a recurring challenge in some of the country's most popular island destinations.
It is designed to give health-service management and staff a fast, flexible housing solution, helping essential services continue without disruption.
The Health Ministry will identify eligible doctors and nurses.
Adonis Georgiadis: removing a real obstacle
The Minister said:
“Staffing public health facilities on our islands is one of the Health Ministry's greatest priorities.
“We know that during summer, finding accommodation in popular island destinations is often the greatest obstacle for doctors and nurses who choose to serve there.
“Through this new partnership with Airbnb.org, we offer an immediate, meaningful solution to a real problem, ensuring free housing for the healthcare professionals supporting our National Health System on the islands.
“This initiative demonstrates that when the public sector and organisations with a strong social contribution work together, they can provide practical solutions benefiting both healthcare professionals and island residents and visitors.
“Finally, I warmly thank EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, who coordinated the initiative at European level.”
Airbnb.org Executive Director Christoph Gorder said:
“Through this pilot partnership with the Health Ministry, we are helping address shortages in local public health services by offering healthcare professionals free accommodation close to their workplace.
“This removes a barrier to access to medical care, so more people can receive the care they need when they need it most.”
