Facing persistent shortages of doctors, the Greek island of Kythnos is offering new financial incentives to recruit medical professionals to the island.
The plan includes a €1,000 ($1,185) monthly bonus for a pediatrician and an internal medicine physician (pathologist) who decide to take up positions in the local health system.
In practice, the goal is to improve residents’ access to essential care after years of limited availability in critical services.
Mayor of Greek island Kythnos confirms early interest from doctors
Speaking to Greece’s public broadcaster (ERT), Kythnos Mayor Stamatis Garderis said the initiative has already attracted attention.
So far, applications from doctors eager to work on the Greek island of Kythnos have been submitted and are now under review, suggesting the incentive package could help bring more professionals to smaller island communities.
Families on Greek island face major barriers to pediatric doctors
The mayor also highlighted the real-world impact of medical shortages on local families. For example, when a child becomes ill, residents on the Greek island of Kythnos often struggle to access doctors and may have no realistic option other than traveling to Athens for medical support.
However, that journey is not always straightforward, since islanders depend on ferry schedules that can be infrequent. Currently, a pediatrician reportedly visits Kythnos only twice a month, which leaves long periods without consistent pediatric coverage.
Similar support may follow for education sector on Greek island
Municipal leaders are preparing similar measures beyond healthcare. In addition, Mayor Garderis said that once the municipality’s new budget is approved, the administration intends to introduce financial incentives for teachers as well.
Just as the initiative to attract doctors to the Greek island of Kythnos has gained attention, officials hope similar incentives for teachers will help fill gaps across both primary and secondary education. This step aims to address shortages across both primary and secondary education, including gaps in teaching staff and subject specialists.
A strategy to strengthen essential services on small islands
Local officials believe targeted financial support can serve as a practical tool to draw professionals to remote communities where public services are harder to sustain. As a result, municipalities can reduce service gaps more quickly than through traditional recruitment efforts alone.
Ultimately, by reinforcing healthcare staffing and potentially expanding incentives into education, Kythnos aims to improve daily life for permanent residents and deliver more reliable access to core public services.
