An Essential Guide to Navigating Healthcare in Greece
Greece is becoming a popular destination for individuals seeking to live or retire in Europe. This Mediterranean country is known and loved for its sunny climate, rich culture, and 6,000 islands. Its low cost of living makes it one of the most affordable countries in the EU. There are now more ways than ever for foreigners to live in Greece.
Greece has recently created visa options for digital nomads and expatriates. Their Financially Independent Persons visa is attractive to retirees. However, the Greek healthcare system is complex. To live there long-term, you need a good understanding of the Greek healthcare system and of health insurance options for expats in Greece.
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Health Insurance for Expats in Greece
The best health insurance for expats in Greece is a private international health plan that meets the requirements of the Schengen area.
Greece is one of the 27 countries that are part of the Schengen area and requires expats and visitors to provide proof of insurance before applying for a visa.
Health Insurance is a Requirement for Expats in Greece
Both visitors and immigrants need health insurance. Almost all Greek visas require proof of medical insurance. This is part of the registration process for residents in Greece if you’re there for more than three months.
You need to purchase your health insurance before submitting your visa application so that you can provide proof. If you are in Greece at the time, you can buy health insurance there.
For Greece, you provide proof by completing a Health Insurance Declaration Form. Your Greek embassy will provide this.
You will need to confirm that you have at least 30,000 Euros of medical coverage and that your policy includes medical repatriation if necessary.
If your health insurance doesn’t meet these standards, you will not be allowed to live in Greece.
Private vs Public Health Insurance Options
Some foreigners in Greece are eligible for public health insurance. However, most expats prefer private health insurance. Discover the differences and benefits of each type of coverage available in Greece.
Private Health Insurance Plans in Greece
Experienced expatriates agree that having a private health policy with international coverage is essential when living in Greece. It means that you can get quality private care when you need it from providers who speak your language.
International health insurance also provides vital coverage for transportation and repatriation. Public healthcare in Greece does not cover that at all.
And with international insurance, you can choose coverage for the time you spend in nearby countries, too.
Best Private International Insurance Plans for All Nationalities
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
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IMG Global Prima Medical Insurance
- Five flexible plan levels with optional add-ons
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Best Private International Health Insurance Plan for US Citizens
BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier
- Unlimited annual and lifetime coverage
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- For U.S. citizens abroad or foreign nationals in the U.S.
Public Health Insurance Plans in Greece
To access public healthcare in Greece, you must be eligible for national or social insurance through a healthcare organization. For Greek citizens, this is often based on your profession or employer.
Social insurance offers basic healthcare and supplemental coverage through various insurance options and schemes, including the Social Insurance Institute (EFKA, formerly known as IKA). Social insurance may combine government and private insurance options.
Greece’s Universal Healthcare System
The Greek healthcare system is based on government care. Universal healthcare in Greece is provided by the National Health Service, known as the ESY (in Greek: Εθνικό Σύστημα Υγείας, ΕΣΥ).
This includes care provided in 238 hospitals serving a population of 11 million. The National Organization manages the ESY for the Provision of Health Services, the EOPYY, and is managed by the Ministry of Health.
Public health insurance in Greece involves completing forms and navigating a complex bureaucracy. The process involves registering with EOPYY, the national health insurance organization, and obtaining a national insurance number, also known as an AMKA.
Is Greece’s Universal Healthcare System Free to Citizens?
Well, emergency healthcare is free. Other healthcare can be free or low-cost when you are paying into a national insurance plan.
If you are not part of a national insurance plan, you must pay out of pocket for many health services in Greece.
There is some coverage for people with an AMKA who are unemployed or refugees, focusing on basic healthcare and subsidized medicines.
Costs of Health Insurance in Greece
Foreigners living and working in Greece may be required to pay into a national insurance plan.
If you are employed in Greece, 14% to 24.33% of your wages are allocated to government social security, supplemented by national insurance contributions of up to €650. This pays for your public national insurance and health services.
Since Greece has universal healthcare, people often ask whether foreigners can access it. It can be free or subsidized under some circumstances.
- For foreigners living in Greece, some healthcare can be free. If you are a citizen of an EU country with a European Health Insurance Card, you can access the Greek health system for a limited time.
- Some U.K. citizens living in Greece who receive a UK state pension can access certain public healthcare by completing an S1 form.
- Basic emergency care is free for foreigners.
What if you get sick in Greece as a foreigner, and it’s not an emergency? When you are treated for a standard illness or injury, you must provide either an AMKA or direct payment immediately. You may even be asked to pay in cash.
If you’re moving to Greece or applying for a visa, we recommend contacting your local Greek embassy. They can provide you with more information about the healthcare requirements for your visa and nationality in Greece.
Can US Citizens Access Free Healthcare in Greece?
Americans can and should get health insurance in Greece. Private health insurance is needed because most Americans have limited or no access to the public healthcare system. The cost of private medical insurance is comparable to, or sometimes less than, U.S. insurance.
Some Americans may be eligible for public healthcare and emergency care in Greece. Dual citizens or long-term residents with visas can obtain an AMKA, which opens up access to basic coverage. If your coverage is basic or you have not been working in Greece, you can expect to pay additional fees for care, doctor’s visits, and specialist services.
Many Americans living in Greece don’t have access to public health services there. In Greece, without an AMKA, you are required to pay for all medical care as you receive it.
If you are from the U.S., your standard U.S. health insurance won’t cover you while you are in Greece. You need to pay for international coverage.
Does US Medicare Provide Coverage in Greece?
Standard Medicare will not cover you outside of the United States. If you are overseas as a short-term traveler, you may purchase limited Medigap coverage through Medicare.
But you cannot move to Greece to live and rely on Medicare for your healthcare costs. You will need a global medical policy.
Health Insurance If You Live In Greece Part-Time
Some expats live in Greece part-time every year. Under Greece’s Financially Independent Person (FIP) visa, you may own property in Greece that you live in for part of the year. Or you may spend time with your Greek family and friends around essential holidays.
If you expect to live in Greece part-time, you need health insurance to cover you both in Greece and in your home country. Discuss options with your insurance advisor to find the healthcare coverage you need.
Plans for Students at Colleges and Universities in Greece
Students with student visas can get basic public health coverage in Greece. However, students benefit from international student health insurance.
The challenges of navigating healthcare are as real for students as they are for other expatriates. Students also need repatriation insurance and supplemental hospital care coverage, both of which are only available privately.
Student Health Advantage
- Standard and Platinum level benefits available.
- Coverage for individuals and groups and their dependents.
- Freedom to seek treatment with hospital or doctor of your choice.
Travel Insurance for Short-Term Visitors to Greece
If you are visiting Greece for the short term, travel insurance may provide what you need.
Most travel insurance policies cover comprehensive emergency medical treatment, as well as repatriation or evacuation. Travel insurance also offers options such as adventure coverage for boating, water skiing, diving, or rock climbing.
Group Medical Insurance in Greece for International Employees
Global group medical insurance is available for international employees, volunteers, remote teams, and expatriates.
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Accessing Medical Care in Greece
In Greece, private clinics and hospitals differ significantly from the traditional public facilities. Yet they both provide good to excellent care.
Often, the quality is exactly equal because both public providers and private clinics may employ the same doctors. It’s likely to be easier to get an appointment at a private clinic.
Severe measures back in 2011 impacted healthcare funding in Greece. Since then, Greek citizens have increasingly relied on private health insurance.
Up to 17% of Greek households invest in private health insurance. The World Health Organization notes that families in Greece pay for 35% of their own healthcare spending. This includes both private health insurance and payment of fees not covered by social insurance.
Did you know that Greece has the highest number of pharmacists per capita in Europe? If you need medical help quickly or have a few health questions, ask at a pharmacy.
Almost all medications are only available through pharmacies, even aspirin. Greek pharmacists are permitted to dispense products that are sometimes only available by prescription in other European countries. All over Greece, one of the many pharmacies will be open around the clock.
How to Find a Family Physician or GP in Greece
It is easy to connect with a family physician (GP) in Greece. Expats from the U.S. or the U.K. can visit their respective embassy websites for lists of English-speaking medical professionals.
If you are seeking medical care in rural areas or on remote islands, it will be more challenging to find English-speaking providers.
How much does it cost to see a doctor in Greece if you are a foreigner? Online doctors and clinics catering to tourists can offer quick consultations starting at $25 (€24) to address minor health issues. Formal appointments with a GP or specialist range from $65 (€60) to $163 (€150), sometimes more.
When paying privately for doctors’ visits or getting services from pharmacies, expect a wide range of costs. Some travelers report paying premiums for medications in tourist areas or on remote islands.
How to Access Hospital Care in Greece
Hospitals are widely accessible throughout Greece, with most services concentrated in major cities and regional centers. Your general practitioner may refer you to a hospital, or you can go directly if you experience an illness or emergency.
If you need help getting to the hospital, call 112 for emergencies or 166 for an ambulance. Be aware that public ambulances may not be included in free emergency care and may not always be available. In Athens, a private ambulance van typically costs $60 (€55) but must be requested in advance; otherwise, a paramedic may arrive on a motorcycle.
Medical transport from the islands can be costly, as reaching the nearest hospital may require a boat transfer or a flight.
Emergency care for life-threatening conditions is provided free of charge to visitors. However, many travelers find the public system difficult to navigate, especially when traveling alone without local support.
Because Greece faces a shortage of nurses, public hospitals reduce staffing overnight and on weekends. As a result, patients are often expected to bring their own caregiver. Ensure your international health insurance plan for Greece includes coverage for this additional expense.
Having international coverage will ensure you can access the care you need and enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Greece.
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Emily Cotlier is an experienced communications consultant and business analyst, senior analyst at New Zealand’s Parliamentary Counsel Office, specializing in visas, immigration, international relocation, and managing finance, insurance, and real estate.
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