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Greece - Hellas

Legal Basis: Following a Decision* of the plenary session of the Central Health Council, and a Decision** by the Minister for Health and Welfare a Draft Public Health Regulation*** entitled "Hygiene rules and opening and operating requirements for tattoo studio" “was prepared.


Definitions: According to the definitions provided in the draft Public Health Regulation, tattooing is the art of applying stencils in order to create various permanent, indelible designs, such as drawings, symbols, signs etc. on human skin. The definitions do include permanent make up. Most precisely, the draft text states that tattoo studios shall not operate on the same premises or communicate in any manner with other aesthetic business with or without public health implications (exercise, beauty and diet centres, gymnasia, barber's shops, hairdressing salons, beauty salons etc.). Piercing practices are also not covered.

Licencing, education and skills: In order to open and operate a tattoo studio, a licence must be obtained from the relevant local authority, with the approval of the local public health department, stating that the terms of the present regulation and the public health regulations in force at the time have been met. Licences to open and operate a tattoo studio are issued to natural or juristic persons in accordance with article 6 of Public Health Regulation A1b/8577/83, as subsequently amended and supplemented, the provisions of which also apply to tattoo studios. The aforementioned licence shall not under any circumstances be issued to persons under 18 years of age. Vocal training or examination requirements are not raised.

Sterility requirements: Methods and conditions for using single-use equipment (such as gloves) and for disinfecting/sterilising equipment (such as needles) are described. The issue of sterility of chemicals and dyes is not raised.

Special safety requirements on chemicals/materials used: According to draft text the colours and dyes used in tattoo studios must be accompanied by a certificate of suitability from the relevant official agency in their country of origin or by a government certificate stating that the factory in which they were manufactured operates in accordance with current requirements in their country of origin.

Other key provisions (non exhaustive summary):

Tattoo artists shall:

• Only tattoo persons who are at least 18 years of age. Persons under the age of 18 may only be tattooed in the presence of a guardian who has given the required written consent.
• Not advise on the customer's state of physical health or offer any medical opinion.
• Not effect any medical procedure, be it on the recommendation, under the guidance or with the help of any form of medical specialist.
• Not proceed in any manner whatsoever to remove a tattoo

* Decision no. 18 of 11.3.99 by the 147th plenary session of the Central Health Council, stating that experience is required in order to apply tattoos, whereas their removal is a purely medical procedure.
**Decision no. DY1d/C.P/9780/8.11.2001 by the Minister for Health & Welfare setting up a committee to lay down the rules and opening and operating requirements for tattoo studios and the proposal tabled by the committee
*** Draft Public Health Regulation: Hygiene rules and opening and operating requirements for tattoo studios, Athens, 5.9.2002, MINISTRY OF HEALTH & WELFARE DIRECTORATE-GENERAL OF HEALTH , DIRECTORATE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, SECTION C