Greece – Doctors

How does the healthcare system in Greece work, and does it cover expats?

The Greek healthcare landscape is shaped by the simultaneous presence of a National Health System (ESY), obligatory social insurance, and a well-developed voluntary private sector. This creates a genuinely mixed model — one that differs substantially from wholly state-funded systems such as the UK’s NHS, where general taxation provides almost all funding. Greece instead draws on a combination of public revenues, compulsory insurance contributions, and considerable direct patient expenditure.

The National Health System (ESY) draws its funding from the state budget through both direct and indirect taxation, supplemented by social insurance contributions. In 2011, the National Organisation for the Provision of Health Services (EOPYY) was created to consolidate health insurance management into a single unified fund and to act as the primary purchaser of publicly funded services delivered through the National Health System.

Greece organises its healthcare across three tiers: primary care, delivered by general practitioners and local health centres; secondary care, encompassing specialist consultations and diagnostic services; and tertiary care, including inpatient hospital treatment. The national health system delivers services through a network of public ESY providers alongside EOPYY-contracted private practitioners — physicians, clinics, and diagnostic laboratories — covering primary, outpatient, and hospital-level care.

Expats who hold a social security number (AMKA) and contribute to the public insurance system through EFKA — the principal social security fund for both employees and self-employed workers in Greece — become eligible for healthcare services. EFKA, also referred to as the National Social Security Fund, operates as the government-administered social security system and compulsorily covers all citizens and permanent residents of Greece.

EU nationals who hold a certificate of entitlement — whether an EHIC or an S-form — issued by the statutory health insurer in their country of social insurance are entitled to access the Greek public healthcare system under the same conditions as domestically insured patients. Non-EU nationals who hold a valid residence permit and complete their registration with EFKA/EOPYY also gain access to the public system once their AMKA has been activated. Current eligibility rules are available from the EOPYY website and the Greek Ministry of Health.

While healthcare quality in Greece is broadly above average overall, there is a notable disparity between the mainland and the smaller island communities. Highly specialised services tend to be concentrated in major urban centres such as Athens and Thessaloniki, so residents on outlying islands or in remote rural areas who need advanced treatment may be required to travel.

How do you find and register with a doctor in Greece?

Legal residents gain entry to the Greek public healthcare system via the AMKA (Arithmos Mitroou Koinonikis Asfalisis) — a personal social security number. Acquiring this number is the indispensable first step before you can benefit from EOPYY-funded care, register with a family doctor, or obtain subsidised prescriptions.

The following outlines the standard registration process for most expats:

1. Obtain your AMKA number. To access EFKA coverage, expats must be issued an AMKA social security number. This can be arranged at a KEP (citizen service) centre in your municipality, or by scheduling an appointment at an e-EFKA office through efka.gov.gr. Since 1 April 2024, a significant procedural change has been in effect: AMKA is now issued in a deactivated state and is only activated once the beneficiary provides the necessary documents to the appropriate AMKA service.
2. Gather your documents. You will typically need to produce an identity card or passport if you are an EU citizen; a foreign passport or expatriate identification for non-EU nationals; and, for children under 12, a family status certificate and birth certificate. Evidence of lawful residence in Greece is also required — for example, a tenancy agreement, an employment contract, or proof of enrolment in study.
3. Activate your AMKA. Once issued, an AMKA can exist in an active, inactive, or dormant state. Lawful residence in Greece and entitlement to participate in the labour market are prerequisites for issuance, while verified proof of actual residence is necessary for activation and to unlock full benefit entitlements.
4. Register online with EOPYY. With an active AMKA in hand, you must complete your registration online with EOPYY at eopyy.gov.gr. This process connects your social security contributions to your healthcare entitlements within the system.
5. Choose a family doctor (oikogeneiakos iatros). Insured individuals are free to select their own family doctor. It is also possible to schedule appointments with private physicians who hold contracts with EOPYY — the National Organisation for the Provision of Health Services.
6. Register with your local TOMY (primary healthcare unit). TOMYs — Local Health Units — form part of the primary care network and provide front-line medical services. To receive care from a TOMY, you should enrol at the unit serving your area or neighbourhood.

Employed expats with an AMKA number are not required to make EFKA contributions personally — these payments are handled by their employer on their behalf. Those working on a self-employed basis must register directly with e-EFKA. For appointments at public facilities, waiting times typically range from several weeks to several months, depending on the speciality or examination involved.

For the most up-to-date registration guidance, refer to the e-EFKA website and the EOPYY website (noting that the majority of content on both sites is currently available in Greek only).

How do you pay for a doctor’s appointment in Greece?

Once registered with EOPYY, consultations with an EOPYY doctor are available free of charge or at a reduced rate. Treatment in a state hospital is provided at no cost when you have been referred by an EOPYY doctor or health centre. This arrangement broadly mirrors the social health insurance model used in many other countries — you contribute to the system through regular payments and receive care at little or no direct cost when you need it.

EOPYY maintains a network of contracted physicians who see patients at reduced rates. Patients generally pay a modest co-payment — typically in the range of €5–€15 (as of 2024) — for visits to EOPYY-contracted practitioners, while prescription medication is subsidised at between 75% and 100% depending on the medicine involved. Co-payment levels are subject to periodic revision, so always confirm current rates directly with EOPYY.

In hospital outpatient departments, afternoon private sessions are billed directly to patients on a fee-for-service basis. These fees range from €16 to €72 depending on the physician’s professional grade, according to the most recently published figures.

For those using healthcare entirely on a private basis — without EOPYY registration — costs are considerably higher. A consultation at a private clinic can range from approximately €60 to €150 (as of 2024). Expat residents and their family members who contribute to the social insurance system through their AMKA are entitled to public healthcare coverage.

If you attend a private clinic that holds a contract with EOPYY, the state will cover part of the cost and you will be required to pay a co-payment for the remainder. If you use a private provider with no EOPYY contract, the entire fee is your responsibility. Always consult the official EOPYY website for current co-payment rates and the list of approved providers.

Do you need private health insurance to see a doctor in Greece?

Private health insurance is not a legal requirement to consult a doctor once you are enrolled in the public system, yet it is extremely common — and in certain circumstances it is a mandatory condition for visa and residency applications.

Greece is one of the 27 Schengen area member states and requires both visitors and those applying for residency to demonstrate proof of insurance before a visa is granted. Health insurance coverage is a standard condition attached to almost all Greek visa categories.

The majority of Greek visa categories stipulate proof of health insurance covering your entire period of stay. These include the digital nomad visa (comprehensive health insurance is mandatory), the Golden Visa (insurance must be in place for permit issuance and renewal), the retirement or financially independent person (FIP) visa (healthcare cover must be evidenced), and student visas (insurance is required, though some universities offer group schemes). Always verify the current requirements with the Greek Migration Ministry.

You will typically need residence-grade health insurance — rather than standard travel insurance — together with documentation confirming that you are covered for medical care in Greece for the applicable period. Requirements vary according to permit type.

A significant proportion of Greeks and expatriates take out private health insurance to meet expenses that fall outside public scheme coverage. The principal advantages are shorter waiting times, access to a broader choice of specialist, and the option of using higher-quality private hospital facilities. Private healthcare providers in Greece are generally regarded as offering more modern equipment and faster access to services than their public counterparts.

If you are not in employment and do not hold a registered S1 form, private health insurance will be necessary. This applies in particular to retirees and those residing in Greece on passive income who are not making contributions to the Greek social security system.

How do you transfer your medical records to a doctor in Greece?

No single international mechanism exists for transferring medical records to Greece, which means expats typically need to take the initiative in assembling their health history before they leave — or soon after they arrive.

Before departing your home country, ask your existing doctor for a comprehensive patient summary or covering letter. This should ideally include your full medical history, current diagnoses, ongoing medications (identified by both generic and brand name), any known allergies, vaccination records, and relevant specialist correspondence. Many healthcare systems — including those across the EU — afford patients the right to request a complete copy of their records; consult your home country’s patient rights framework for the relevant procedure.

When presenting your records to a doctor in Greece, having them translated into Greek is strongly recommended for routine consultations, although many private practitioners and hospital specialists in Athens and Thessaloniki are able to work with documents in other major European languages. For complex or continuing medical conditions, a certified translation will minimise the risk of misinterpretation.

Patients registered with EOPYY receive prescriptions via an electronic system. The prescribing doctor enters the details directly into the platform, and patients can collect their medication from any pharmacy by presenting their AMKA number and identity document. The system automatically calculates the applicable co-payment. Once you are registered and have shared your medication history with a Greek doctor, managing ongoing prescriptions becomes a straightforward process.

Greece has been progressively digitising its health records infrastructure through the e-EFKA and EOPYY platforms, and prescriptions are now issued electronically via the IDIKA digital health platform. At your first appointment, ask your doctor whether your medical history can be uploaded or cross-referenced within these systems. For guidance on digital health records, contact the Ministry of Health or EOPYY directly.

What should expats know about language barriers and finding a doctor who consults in their language?

Language is a genuinely practical consideration for many expats living in Greece, particularly when navigating the public healthcare system. That said, medical professionals in major cities and private facilities frequently have solid language skills.

English is commonly spoken in city hospitals, though it may be in shorter supply in smaller towns and rural areas. Doctors and nursing staff at private hospitals are also more likely to be proficient in English. If you are based in Athens, Thessaloniki, or in areas with large expatriate communities — such as Crete, Corfu, or the Cyclades — locating a doctor who can consult in English or another major European language is generally quite achievable.

The majority of expats choose private healthcare for non-emergency needs, attracted by the prospect of English-speaking clinicians, appointments available within days rather than months, up-to-date facilities, and thorough diagnostic services.

The following resources can help you find a doctor who works in your preferred language:

• The EOPYY website provides a searchable directory of contracted physicians by speciality and region.
• Your country’s embassy in Athens typically holds a list of local doctors experienced in treating international patients and capable of consulting in multiple languages — check the consular services section of your embassy’s website.
• Expat community groups and online forums, especially those focused on specific regions of Greece, are a valuable source of recommendations for multilingual GPs and specialists.
• Pharmacies are abundant throughout Greece, particularly in the main cities, and are identified by a green cross on a white background. Greek pharmacists tend to be knowledgeable professionals, and many are able to communicate in English — making them a practical first point of contact for minor health concerns or advice on where to seek further care.

The public healthcare system does not operate a formal, centralised interpretation service for patients. If your Greek is limited and you require an interpreter for a public hospital appointment, it is advisable to arrange one independently or to bring a bilingual companion. Private hospitals and clinics in areas frequented by international visitors are generally well-equipped to manage multilingual consultations.

What do expats need to know about prescriptions and medication in Greece?

EOPYY-registered patients benefit from a fully electronic prescription system. The prescribing doctor enters the details directly into the platform, and the patient collects their medication from any pharmacy by presenting their AMKA number and a form of identification. This digital process, operated through the IDIKA platform, is standard practice among both public practitioners and private doctors contracted with EOPYY.

Under the most recently published EOPYY figures, patients are generally required to contribute 25% of the cost of prescribed medication. Those managing chronic conditions may qualify for free or significantly reduced-cost medicines. Co-payment thresholds are reviewed periodically, so it is worth confirming current rates directly with EOPYY.

For medication originally prescribed abroad: if you hold an EU-issued prescription, you should be able to use it in Greece provided it complies with EU requirements — meaning it must carry your name, details of the medicine, and the prescribing doctor’s information. Most Greek pharmacies will accept such prescriptions without difficulty. For prescriptions issued outside the EU, you will typically need to have the medication re-prescribed by a doctor in Greece, as pharmacies are legally required to dispense regulated medicines against a locally issued or EU-compliant prescription.

If you depend on a particular brand-name product, bear in mind that the equivalent drug may be sold under a different name in Greece or may only be available in a generic formulation. The vast majority of common medications are stocked in Greek pharmacies, though more specialised preparations may be obtainable only through hospitals.

Greek pharmacies dispense a number of medicines without a prescription that would require one elsewhere. Pharmacies in central Athens, tourist areas, and near hospitals frequently employ English-speaking staff. In residential districts and smaller cities, younger pharmacists often have a working command of English, though this is not universal.

Patients without EOPYY registration are required to pay the full retail price for medicines. For detailed information on the reimbursement framework, consult the EOPYY reimbursement page or contact EOPYY’s medicines department at [email protected]. The national medicines regulator is the National Organisation for Medicines (EOF).

Frequently asked questions

What do I do in a medical emergency in Greece?

If you face a medical emergency, dial 112 — the pan-European emergency number covering police, fire, and medical assistance — or call 166, Greece’s dedicated line for medical emergencies and ambulance dispatch. Public hospitals are required to provide emergency treatment free of charge, including for tourists. Emergency, ambulance, and air-ambulance services are coordinated by the National Centre for First Aid, known by its Greek acronym EKAB.

Will my pre-existing conditions be covered under the Greek public system?

Patients enrolled with EOPYY may qualify for free or reduced-cost care and medication in connection with chronic illnesses. The public system does not generally exclude pre-existing conditions from coverage once you are registered and contributing. However, coverage arrangements — particularly for high-cost treatments — should be confirmed directly with EOPYY. If you are considering private insurance, read policy terms carefully, as some providers apply exclusions or waiting periods for conditions that pre-date the policy.

How long does it take to register with EOPYY and get my AMKA?

Timescales can vary. Since April 2024, AMKA is issued in a deactivated state and must be formally activated once the required documents have been submitted to the appropriate AMKA service. It is wise to allow several weeks for the entire process, particularly where verification of residency status takes additional time. You can book your AMKA appointment online through gov.gr to avoid lengthy queues. For the most current processing times, contact your local e-EFKA office.

What happens to my healthcare access if I lose my job or become self-employed?

While you are employed, your EOPYY coverage is linked automatically to your employer’s contributions. If you leave employment, you may need to pay a modest monthly contribution to maintain coverage, or you may be eligible for support through unemployment or low-income assistance programmes. Self-employed individuals must register independently with e-EFKA and manage their own contribution payments to remain covered. A gap in contributions can result in your EOPYY entitlement lapsing, so it is important to clarify the rules on continued coverage with EOPYY before any change in your employment situation.

Can I use an EHIC or equivalent card instead of registering with EOPYY?

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to medically necessary care during a stay in Greece — for example, following an accident, sudden illness, or treatment related to a chronic condition or pregnancy — on the same terms and at the same cost as the domestically insured population. However, for those residing in Greece on a long-term basis, the EHIC is not a replacement for full EOPYY registration, which is required to access the complete package of healthcare benefits.

Is dental care covered by the public system in Greece?

Comprehensive dental treatment is not a standard feature of universal healthcare in Greece. Dental care has been largely transferred to the private sector, and most patients meet the full cost themselves. EOPYY does not hold contracts with private dentists, meaning any private dental consultation will be charged at the full rate. It is advisable to budget for dental expenses separately and to check whether your private health insurance policy includes dental coverage.

Do I need to see a GP before visiting a specialist in Greece?

For non-emergency specialist or hospital appointments within the public system, a referral from an EOPYY doctor, health centre, or local health unit (TOMY) is required. Within the private sector, it is generally possible to book a specialist consultation directly without first seeing a GP, though having a referral can ensure the correct diagnostic pathway and may be required by some private insurers before they will reimburse the cost. Patients can also access outpatient care directly by attending a PEDY facility, a rural health centre, or a hospital outpatient department, where the doctor may issue prescriptions, request diagnostic tests, or provide an onward referral to a contracted specialist or public hospital.

Is there English-language support available when booking public healthcare appointments?

Individuals holding an AMKA or PAAYPA number can book appointments at public hospitals and primary care units by calling the national line 1535 (which offers Greek and English instructions), or by calling 14900 specifically for primary healthcare units. For non-Greek speakers requiring additional guidance, the EOPYY National Contact Point for Cross-border Healthcare (eu-healthcare.eopyy.gov.gr) offers bilingual support and can assist you in navigating the system.