Home-Based Midwifery Care in Greece. Challenges and prospects within the new legislative framework

ABSTRACT

Background: Home-based midwifery care is internationally recognized as a key component of primary midwifery care, providing continuous support to both mother and newborn throughout the perinatal period. Recently, in Greece, an official framework for home-based midwifery care was established for the first time as part of the national health system with the enactment of Law 4999/2022, specifically Article 39 on “Midwives at Home.”

Aim: This article aims to analyze international models of home-based midwifery care and explore their integration into the Greek healthcare system, utilizing the recent legislative framework as an opportunity for reform.

Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using international databases (Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar), printed sources, and online reports, with keywords in both Greek and English. The search focused on recent publications from 2020–2025 and sources addressing international models of home-based midwifery care and the Greek legislative framework. Sources were selected based on recency, scientific validity, and thematic relevance. In addition, recent legislative documents related to home-based midwifery care in Greece were examined.

Results: The Greek framework, despite its significant legislative progress, provides general guidance for the provision of services to pregnant and postpartum women and newborns, covering the antenatal and postnatal periods, without clearly defining the organizational components of care. International models highlight the need for developing protocols and explicit guidelines to ensure individualized, continuous, and comprehensive care throughout the perinatal period.

Conclusions: The implementation of international best practices in Greece is feasible, provided that they are adapted into an integrated model of home-based care. Critical factors include establishing continuity of care, strengthening organizational culture, ensuring interoperability, securing adequate funding, and improving accessibility in remote or vulnerable areas.

Keywords: Home-based midwifery care, international care models, legislative framework, continuity of care, primary healthcare