Greece Healthcare: A Guide for Foreigners and Expats

Greece healthcare system has a universal structure called ESY (Ethniko Systima Ygeias), which provides free or low-cost medical services to residents. It’s funded through taxes and social security contributions. Public hospitals and clinics offer most services, but private healthcare is widely used for faster access. EU citizens and legal residents, including expats, can access the system, while non-EU citizens may need private insurance.

The World Health Organization once ranked it as one of the best in the world. In fact, Greece was ranked 14th globally by the WHO for overall healthcare performance.

This guide explains the Greek healthcare, including public and private healthcare, how to access emergency services in Greece, and more.

• Public Healthcare in Greece
• How to Apply for Public Healthcare Insurance in Greece
• Private Healthcare in Greece
• Health Insurance While Traveling to Greece
• Private Health Insurance Providers in Greece
• Best Private and Public Hospitals in Greece
• Emergency Services in Greece
• Medication and Pharmacies in Greece
• Mental Healthcare in Greece
• Healthcare for Greek Golden Visa Applicants

Public Healthcare in Greece

The Greek Healthcare System, ESY, provides free healthcare to all citizens, residents, expats, EU citizens, and the unemployed in Greece. The system consists of a combination of public and private medical service providers, generally divided into primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of service provision.

ESY provides free medical care for Greek citizens and residents. This system can also benefit expats, unemployed individuals, and EU citizens. 

Expats with a social security number called AMKA who pay into public insurance through EFKA, which is the main social security fund for employees and self-employed workers in Greece, are eligible for care. English is often spoken in city hospitals, but it may be limited in smaller towns. Private or international insurance is a good option for faster service.

State healthcare in Greece covers:

• Hospitalization
• Laboratory services
• Maternity care
• Transportation
• Health promotion
• Public health surveillance
• Environmental health control
• Control of infectious diseases
• General and specialist care
• Discounts on medicines and drugs
• Medical equipment

Public healthcare in Greece for citizens of EU countries

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), valid in all EU member states, can be used to pay for medical services in Greece. However, the costs of private healthcare are not covered by this card. EHIC members can visit a physician in a PEDY (National Primary Healthcare Network) facility and profit from various dental procedures.

How to Apply for Public Healthcare Insurance in Greece

To apply for public healthcare in Greece, you need to get a social security number called AMKA. The application process and required documents can vary depending on whether you are employed, self-employed, or applying for dependent family members.

Here is an overview:

If employed by an employer

As highlighted, if employed in Greece, you must obtain an AMKA (social security number), and your employer is responsible for making contributions on your behalf. They are also in charge of finding a provider for you. If your place of employment does not enroll you, you should inform the local EFKA office.

The list of documents to provide for the EFKA includes the following:

• Your Greek tax number
• An S1 form
• Passport photocopy
• Two passport-style photos
• AMKA (national social security insurance) number
• Residence certificate (if you are going to be a resident in Greece for more than three months)

If you work in Greece, you must submit a 50-day contribution to EFKA to be covered by insurance. You will receive a health booklet that will verify your insurance. The booklet must be renewed annually.

If you’re self-employed

If you work for yourself, you must submit an insurance application to OAEE (Organization for the Self-Employed).

The documents you need to provide the OAEE office with include the following:

• Passport or Greek ID card
• Proof of insurance payments for the last three months
• Two passport-style photos

Because the insurance system is based on reimbursement, you should always verify your coverage with EFKA. Insurance comes in various forms, including different services.

 Dependent family members

Your family will benefit from your national health insurance once you have made all the required contributions. Dependent relatives include:

• Your spouse (if unemployed)
• Your parents (under some conditions)
• Unmarried children that live with you until they turn 18, and until 24 if they are unemployed. If your children are students – two years after their studies finish, or once they are 26.
• Children with more than 67 percent disability (it has to be assessed by a medical professional)
• Siblings with more than 67 percent disabilities (it has to be evaluated by a medical professional)
• Grandkids, siblings, or orphans with one parent are protected members, and orphans who have lost both parents.
• Divorced spouse (under some conditions) if they pay the contributions to the institution of the previous spouse.

Private Healthcare in Greece

Private healthcare in Greece is popular because it offers shorter wait times and better equipment than public hospitals. Public insurance like EFKA or IKA does not cover private hospitals, so you need to pay yourself or use private insurance.

Many private hospitals treat foreigners and have staff who speak English. Some also work with hospitals in the US which makes it beneficial for Americans living in Greece. Private insurance can help cover costs not paid by public insurance and may sometimes cover everything. If you already have insurance from another country, you can extend it to cover you in Greece.

Cost of private healthcare in Greece

The cost of your private healthcare insurance in Greece depends on the provider you choose, your age, coverage level, and whether the plan includes international coverage. The cheapest packages go for roughly €30 per month, while premium ones can amass to over €210 a month.

What does the cost of private insurance in Greece depend on?

The cost of private health insurance depends on different criteria, some of which are:

• Age (the older, the more it costs)
• Gender
• Nationality
• Payment frequency
• Country of residence
• Coverage area (if you are only covered in Greece or other countries as well)
• Product choice (if it uses the newest technology, it will cost more)
• Co-insurance
• Deductibles

What does private health insurance in Greece cover?

In addition to providing comprehensive quality care, Greek private insurance also covers the following:

• Specialist fees
• Elective plastic surgeries
• Modern dental procedures
• Treatment at the best hospitals in the nation

Health Insurance While Traveling to Greece

​Health insurance is important when visiting Greece.If you’re from the EU or EEA, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides access to public healthcare, though it doesn’t cover private care or medical evacuation. Non-EU travelers should obtain travel insurance before their trip; it’s mandatory for a Schengen Visa, with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies. Additionally, those applying for Greece’s Digital Nomad Visa must present proof of health insurance covering their entire stay.

Private Health Insurance Providers in Greece

Here is a list of some of the private healthcare insurance providers to choose from.

Best Private and Public Hospitals in Greece

This is a mix of public and private hospitals in Greece, including whether they accept private insurance. This is a helpful overview of Greece’s medical care options for both residents and foreign nationals.

Emergency Services in Greece

Greece provides emergency medical services through its public healthcare system, and they are generally free of charge for everyone in urgent situations including foreign nationals. Ambulance services (dial 166), emergency hospital visits, and first aid treatment are available regardless of citizenship or insurance status. The Greek medical system assures immediate care, but follow-up care, hospital stays, and specialist treatment may incur costs if you do not have public or private health insurance. Tourists and expats are encouraged to carry travel or private insurance to cover any additional medical needs beyond emergency care.

Medication and Pharmacies in Greece

Greece provides easy access to medication, but some drugs could require a hospital visit. If you’re an expat and bring medication from your country, you must do it in the original packaging and bring a letter from your doctor with details of your condition, the drug you are taking, and its generic name. You should also check if your medication is permitted in Greece.

In larger cities, pharmacies are all over. Since many pharmacists in Greece know English, communicating with them as expats will be simple. The green cross symbol is the sign for pharmacies.

Mental Healthcare in Greece

There have been more new mental health services introduced in Greece in recent years. In addition, expats living in Greece with international health insurance have access to more sophisticated and extensive services.

Healthcare for Greek Golden Visa Applicants

​If you intend to live or retire in Greece under the Greek Golden Visa program, you can obtain health insurance. While the Golden Visa grants residency, it does not automatically provide access to free public healthcare. To access public healthcare services, you must contribute to Greece’s social insurance system through employment or self-employment, allowing you and your family to benefit from public healthcare coverage.Alternatively, you can maintain private health insurance, which is required for the Golden Visa application and renewal process.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Healthcare System in Greece

Does Greece have universal healthcare?

Yes, Greece has a universal healthcare system that provides free or low-cost medical services to residents. It is mainly funded through taxes and social security contributions. Both public hospitals and clinics offer care, while private insurance is often used for quicker access. EU citizens and legal residents can also access the system.

Does Greece have good healthcare?

In Greece, there are both public and private healthcare systems. Despite the recent financial crisis, the nation has relatively high expectations for healthcare. The healthcare in Greece is freely accessible to both Greeks and foreigners and ranks as a country with excellent healthcare for expats.

What kind of healthcare does Greece have?

Greece’s healthcare system is a hybrid one that combines the National Health System with other social insurance funds. Greece’s government health insurance covers medical expenses. However, private healthcare is also an option.

Does Greece have free healthcare?

Yes, Greece offers free or low-cost healthcare through its public system, especially for residents who are insured and contribute to social security. Emergency care is available to everyone, including tourists. While basic services are covered, patients may still pay for certain treatments or medications. Many people also choose private insurance for faster access and more options.

Who pays for healthcare in Greece?

Although the majority of medical care in Greece is free, all working citizens are required to contribute to social insurance, and about 15 percent of Greeks also purchase private health insurance.

Is there health insurance in Greece for foreigners?

Expat residents who pay into the Social Insurance Institute (IKA) have access to free or inexpensive public healthcare for themselves and their families. The governmental insurance corporation IKA is in charge of managing Greece’s social security.

Does public health insurance cover retirees?

EFKA is covered if you cannot afford to pay for private insurance and are an EU citizen or an expat retiree who spends social security contributions. However, retirees must contribute to prescriptions by paying a lower 10 percent contribution than other patients.

Does public insurance in Greece cover students?

Use an EHIC card to receive insurance if you are an international student from an EU country.

Check the agreements between your nation and Greece if you are not an EU citizen. If there is no agreement, you will need private health insurance.

Does public health insurance cover dental treatment?

Public insurance covers dental treatment, preventive dental care, and orthodontic care until age 13. Dentures change every five years with the provision of services during that time. Other therapies or procedures could need private insurance coverage in addition to these services.

What is the contribution rate for public health insurance?

Your employer is responsible for setting up the EFKA contribution rate, which is around 30 percent of your salary.