Is Greek public healthcare free for expats?

Public healthcare (ESY) is free for all legal residents who have registered for an AMKA social security number. Emergency care is provided to everyone regardless of status. However, non-registered expats and those without AMKA are expected to pay privately for non-emergency services. Most expats carry private health insurance alongside their AMKA registration.

Do I need health insurance to get a Greek visa?

Yes. Both the Digital Nomad Visa and the long-stay D-Visa require proof of health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 as part of the application. EU citizens using EHIC for temporary stays do not need additional insurance, but it is strongly recommended for long-term residents.

How good are private hospitals in Greece?

Private hospitals in Athens — particularly Hygeia, MITERA, and Metropolitan — are very good by European standards, with modern equipment, English-speaking staff, and short waiting times. Thessaloniki's Interbalkan Medical Centre is also well-regarded. On the islands, private clinics are more limited; serious cases may be transferred to the mainland.

Can I bring prescription medication into Greece?

Yes, for personal use. You should carry a copy of your prescription and ideally a doctor's letter for any controlled substances. Greece follows EU regulations on medication import. Most common medications can also be obtained locally with a Greek prescription, often at lower cost than in the US or UK.

What is the AMKA number and how do I get it?

AMKA (Arithmos Mitroou Koinonikis Asfaliseos) is Greece's social security and healthcare number. It is required for accessing public healthcare, subsidised prescriptions, and employment. You apply at a KEP (Citizens' Service Centre) office with your valid passport, residency permit (or EU registration certificate), and proof of address in Greece. It is usually issued the same day.

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🇬🇷 Greece

Healthcare

Greece has a public healthcare system (ESY — Ethniko Systima Ygeias) that provides free or heavily subsidised care to registered residents. However, years of austerity have stretched public hospitals, and most expats supplement with private health insurance or use private clinics for non-emergency care.

ESY (National Health System)

Public Healthcare

Free for registered residents with AMKA number

€60–€120/mo

Private Insurance (basic)

For a healthy adult expat

€40–€80

GP Private Consultation

Typical private clinic visit

€80–€150

Specialist Private Consultation

Private, without referral

EHIC valid

EU Citizens

European Health Insurance Card covers temporary stays

166

Emergency Number

EKAV (National Emergency Medical Service)

Last updated: March 2026

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Overview

Key Takeaways

All legal residents with an AMKA (social security number) are entitled to use the public healthcare system
Private GP consultation: €40–€80, typically same-day appointment possible
International health insurance (IPMI — International Private Medical Insurance) is the most comprehensive option: €100–€300/mo depending on age and coverage level
Pharmacies are everywhere — identifiable by the green cross sign; many are open outside regular hours on a rotating schedule (efimeries)
AMKA (Arithmos Mitroou Koinonikis Asfaliseos): the social security number required for all public healthcare services, prescriptions, and employment

Public Healthcare System (ESY)

The Greek National Health System (ESY — Ethniko Systima Ygeias) provides universal healthcare to all legal residents registered with a social insurance number (AMKA). Coverage is free or heavily subsidised, but public hospitals vary significantly in quality and waiting times.

All legal residents with an AMKA (social security number) are entitled to use the public healthcare system
AMKA is obtained at KEP offices or IKA (Social Insurance Institute) offices with your passport and residency documents
Public hospitals (nosokomeia) provide free emergency care regardless of residency status — no one is turned away in a genuine emergency
Public GP (yatros paschon) visits at health centres (kentro ygeias) are free or nominally priced for registered residents
Prescription medications are heavily subsidised through the public system — many common drugs cost €1–€5 with a prescription
Public hospital quality is generally adequate for emergencies but waiting times for non-urgent specialist care can be long
Athens, Thessaloniki, and Heraklion have the best-equipped public hospitals; rural areas have more limited facilities
The Laiko General Hospital and Evangelismos Hospital in Athens are the most highly regarded public facilities

Private Healthcare — Recommended for Expats

Most expats in Greece use private clinics and hospitals for routine care, planned procedures, and specialist consultations. Private healthcare in Greece is excellent quality at costs far below northern Europe, the US, or Australia.

Private GP consultation: €40–€80, typically same-day appointment possible
Specialist consultation (private): €80–€150, no referral needed
Dentist (routine check-up and cleaning): €50–€100
Full blood panel laboratory tests: €50–€150 depending on the panel
Major private hospital groups in Athens: Hygeia, Metropolitan, MITERA, Evaggelismos Private
Private hospitals in Thessaloniki: Agios Loukas, AHEPA (public but well-regarded), Interbalkan Medical Centre
Private maternity care is particularly well developed — Greece has excellent obstetric facilities
Medical tourism is growing in Greece; dental and cosmetic procedures attract visitors from across Europe

Health Insurance for Expats

Private health insurance is strongly recommended for all non-EU expats and for EU expats staying long-term. It is also a requirement for the Digital Nomad Visa and the long-stay D-Visa application process.

International health insurance (IPMI — International Private Medical Insurance) is the most comprehensive option: €100–€300/mo depending on age and coverage level
Local Greek private health insurance is cheaper: €60–€120/mo for a healthy adult, and covers private clinics within Greece
Visa requirement: the Digital Nomad Visa and D-Visa both require proof of health insurance with minimum coverage of €30,000 as part of the application
EU citizens using their EHIC card should be aware that EHIC covers emergency public care only — it does not cover private clinics, dental, or non-emergency specialist care
Top international insurers popular with Greece-based expats: Allianz Care, Cigna Global, AXA, Bupa Global
Local Greek insurers: Allianz Greece, Eurolife ERB, Interamerican offer good-value local plans
Check that your policy covers emergency evacuation, as serious trauma cases on islands may require helicopter evacuation to Athens

Pharmacies, Medication & Mental Health

Greece has an extremely high density of pharmacies (farmaeia), and pharmacists are well-trained and often serve as a first point of contact for minor illnesses. Mental health services are growing but still developing.

Pharmacies are everywhere — identifiable by the green cross sign; many are open outside regular hours on a rotating schedule (efimeries)
Prescription medications are significantly cheaper than in the US or UK; many medications available over the counter that would require a prescription elsewhere
Common medications (antibiotics, blood pressure drugs, diabetic medications) cost €1–€10 with a prescription through the public system
Pharmacists speak enough English in cities and tourist areas to assist with basic medical questions
Mental health: English-speaking therapists and psychiatrists are available in Athens and Thessaloniki — expect €60–€120 per session privately
Online therapy platforms (BetterHelp, Woebot) are popular among expats who prefer English-language services
Vaccination: Greece follows the WHO immunisation schedule; travel vaccinations are available at private travel clinics

Registering with the Healthcare System

To access public healthcare as a legal resident in Greece, you need two key numbers: the AMKA (social security number) and the AFM (tax number). Both are required for healthcare registration, employment, and banking.

AMKA (Arithmos Mitroou Koinonikis Asfaliseos): the social security number required for all public healthcare services, prescriptions, and employment
Apply for AMKA at KEP offices (Kentro Exypiretisos Politon) or IKA offices with your passport, residence permit, and proof of address
Once registered, you receive a health booklet (vivliario asthenos) entitling you to subsidised prescriptions and public healthcare
EU/EEA citizens who are employed or self-employed pay contributions to IKA (social insurance) and gain access to the full ESY system
Non-EU expats who are not employed in Greece should obtain private health insurance to cover the period before they obtain full ESY registration
Registering with a public GP (doctor of choice — yatros epilogis) gives you a designated primary care doctor within the public system
The AMKA and AFM together form the foundation of your administrative life in Greece — get them as soon as you establish residency

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