Can I register as an organ donor?
Yes: you can register as an organ donor — but Greece is an explicit-consent (not presumed-consent) country. "Presumed consent" applied only 2013–2018 and was abolished (Art. 260 of Law 4512/2018, amending Law 3984/2011) — now declared consent applies. The EOM (National Transplant Organization) keeps two registries: Donors and Objectors. You register as a donor (or lodge an objection) at EOM in person, by certified-signature post, or digitally via gov.gr/TaxisNet. If the deceased registered nothing, the family decides with signed consent. In short: yes, by explicit declaration.
📋 The rules
- Greece is an explicit (declared) consent country
- Presumed consent: abolished (Law 4512/2018)
- The EOM: Donor & Objector registries
- Register: EOM or gov.gr/TaxisNet
- Without a declaration: the family decides
🔓 Exceptions
- Family veto in practice: yes (never removed against objection)
- Minors: can't self-register — parents decide
- No penalty/fine for any choice
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There's no "fine" — organ donation is a personal choice and no one is penalised for any decision. More important is to kill the myth that "Greece is a presumed-consent / opt-out country" — wrong; it reverted to explicit consent in 2018. Also, in practice the family has a veto: the EOM confirms organs have never been removed against family objection, even from registered donors. To express your wish: register as a donor at EOM or via gov.gr, tell your family (they'll be asked in practice), and if you don't want to be a donor, lodge an objection in the objectors' registry.
📎 Official sources
- EOM — National Organ Donor Registry →
- Law 3984/2011 (as amended by Law 4512/2018) →
- gov.gr — organ-donation declaration →
❓ Frequently asked
How do I become an organ donor?
You register as a donor at EOM, the National Transplant Organization, in person, by certified-signature post, or digitally via gov.gr with TaxisNet codes. You're entered in the National Donor Registry. It's also wise to tell your family your wish.
Is Greece a presumed-consent country?
No. Presumed consent applied only from 2013 to 2018 and was abolished. Greece is now an explicit, declared-consent country. It's a myth that everyone is automatically considered a donor unless they've objected. An explicit declaration is needed.
Can the family refuse?
In practice, yes. Although you may be a registered donor, the EOM confirms organs have never been removed against family objection. That's why it's important your family knows your wish, so they can respect it when needed.
How do I declare that I DON'T want to be a donor?
You can lodge an objection and be entered in EOM's Objector Registry, by the same procedure, in person or digitally. That way your wish is officially recorded. There's no consequence or penalty for whichever choice you make.
Can a minor register as a donor?
Not on their own. Minors can't self-register as donors; the decision is made by the parents or guardians. Organ donation is a personal choice that, for minors, is exercised through their legal representatives.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “organ donor register”
- “eom donor registry”
- “presumed consent greece”
- “organ donation gov.gr”
- “family veto organ donation”
- “organ donation objection”