Greece Healthcare System Guide

Dial: 112 or 166

Typical response time: 10-20 minutes urban (Athens, Thessaloniki). 20-45+ minutes rural mainland. On small islands: may depend on local volunteer crews; helicopter MEDEVAC (EKAB) for serious cases — can take 1-3+ hours depending on weather and availability.

Costs: Public ER: free with EHIC/EOPYY insurance. Uninsured: €50-200. Private ER (Athens Medical, Hygeia, Metropolitan): €100-400. Ambulance (EKAB): free. Helicopter MEDEVAC: free via EKAB but limited availability. Private air ambulance: €5,000-20,000+.

Call 112 (general) or 166 (EKAB ambulance). On islands, identify the local health centre (Kendro Ygeias) immediately on arrival — they handle initial stabilisation before evacuation. Greek public hospitals operate an efimerevousa (duty rota) system — not all hospitals are open every night, so call 1434 or 14944 to find the on-duty hospital. Private hospitals in Athens (Hygeia, Athens Medical, Metropolitan General) have 24/7 English-speaking ER.

Public: Kendro Ygeias (health centres) and TOMY (Topikes Monades Ygeias — local primary care units, established post-2017 reform). Registration with AMKA (social security number) needed for full public access. Private: direct access to clinics and specialists without referral — no gatekeeper. Island health centres provide basic GP-equivalent care.

Typical wait: Public GP/TOMY: 1-5 days, but availability inconsistent outside major cities. Private: same-day to 1 day. Island health centres: same-day (but limited scope — may refer to mainland). Specialist (public): 2-8 weeks. Specialist (private): 1-5 days.

Typical cost: Public (with EHIC/EOPYY): free or minimal copay. Private GP: €40-80. Private specialist: €50-120. Private clinic check-up: €100-250.

Athens and Thessaloniki: good private availability, strained public. Islands: very limited — small islands may have only one doctor or a visiting physician. Crete, Rhodes, and Corfu have small hospitals. Rural mainland: patchy. The post-crisis "brain drain" saw many doctors emigrate — shortages persist.

Recommended: Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP, Polio, Flu), COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles (MMR booster — outbreaks reported), Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE — for northern Greece/outdoor activities), Rabies (extended rural stays)

No mandatory entry vaccines. Measles outbreaks have occurred due to declining vaccination rates. West Nile Virus transmitted by mosquitoes in summer (no vaccine — use repellent). Leishmaniasis (sandfly) present in some coastal/rural areas.

Insurance required for visa: yes

Public coverage for visitors: limited

Digital Nomad Visa available for remote workers earning €3,500+/month from non-Greek sources — tax advantages included. Golden Visa requires €250,000-500,000+ property investment (varies by area). AMKA (social security number) needed for public healthcare access — apply at any KEP (Κέντρο Εξυπηρέτησης Πολιτών) office. Greece has relatively low cost of living compared to Western Europe.

Private GP visit: €40-80 per private GP consultation. Specialist: €50-120. Private hospital chains (Hygeia, Athens Medical, Metropolitan): €60-150 consultation. Private insurance (Interamerican, Ethniki, Eurolife): €50-150/month.

Emergency care without insurance: Public ER: €50-200 (uninsured). Private ER: €100-400. Hospital stay (public): minimal fees for EHIC holders. Hospital stay (private): €200-600+/day. Helicopter MEDEVAC (EKAB): free when available. Private air ambulance from island: €5,000-20,000+.

Medication: Medications are affordable — many cheaper than Northern/Western Europe. Greek pharmacies are well-stocked and pharmacists knowledgeable. EOPYY covers most medications for insured patients (with copay). Visitors pay full pharmacy price. Generics increasingly available but branded products still commonly dispensed.

Hours: Complex rotation system: Mon/Wed 8am-2:30pm, Tue/Thu/Fri 8am-2pm & 5:30-8:30pm (varies by area). Efimereuon farmakeio (duty pharmacy) ensures 24/7 coverage on rotation — check the schedule posted on every pharmacy door, call 14944, or check efimeries.gr.

Over the counter: Greek pharmacists are accessible and helpful — many speak English. Can advise extensively and supply many common medications. Antibiotics sometimes available without strict prescription enforcement (though officially required). Pharmacies are often the first healthcare contact for Greeks themselves.

Controlled substances: Greece has strict drug laws — possession of even small amounts of illegal drugs carries severe penalties (including imprisonment). Carry controlled medications in original packaging with a doctor's letter. Schengen certificate required. Cannabis is illegal (medical cannabis programme exists but very restricted).

• Island healthcare is extremely limited — most small islands have only a basic health centre or single doctor. Serious cases require helicopter evacuation to Athens or Thessaloniki, which can take hours and depends on weather
• Public hospitals operate a duty rota (efimerevousa) — not all hospitals are open every night. Call 1434 or 14944 to find tonight's on-duty hospital
• Private healthcare is affordable and widely used by Greeks themselves — often the better option for visitors
• Cash payment is frequently expected, even at some public facilities. ATMs on small islands may run out of cash in peak summer
• Pharmacy hours follow a complex, confusing rotation schedule — check the door notice or call 14944 for the nearest open pharmacy
• The 2010-2018 economic crisis caused a significant "brain drain" — many doctors emigrated, creating persistent shortages

• Get comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover if visiting islands — this is not optional, it's essential
• On arrival at any island, immediately locate the Kendro Ygeias (health centre) and note its hours
• Private clinics in Athens offer reliable, English-speaking care — Hygeia, Athens Medical, Metropolitan General
• Pharmacies are knowledgeable first stops for minor ailments — many pharmacists speak English
• Check duty pharmacy (efimereuon) schedules at efimeries.gr or call 14944
• Download offline maps and emergency numbers — mobile coverage can be patchy on remote islands
• Learn basic Greek medical phrases — "Χρειάζομαι γιατρό" (Hriazome yatro — I need a doctor), "Πονάει εδώ" (Ponaei edo — It hurts here)