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Greece · Health System

Healthcare in Greece

Partially verified Last verified June 15, 2026 Reviewed by Henry van de Vorming

Before you move to Greece, the question that matters isn't "is the healthcare good" — it's "can I, on a temporary visa, actually use it, and what happens in an emergency?" Here's how the system works for a nomad, and where private insurance fits.

At a glance

System
Mixed public/private
Public access (nomads)
No — private insurance needed
Emergency number
112
Private GP visit
~€50
Care in English
English care in major cities

How the system works

Greece has a universal public National Health System (ESY) financed from the state budget via direct and indirect tax revenues and social insurance contributions, with EOPYY acting since 2011 as the single purchaser that contracts both public ESY providers and private doctors, clinics and hospitals. A large private sector funded mainly by out-of-pocket payments operates alongside it, making the system effectively a tax-plus-social-insurance public scheme with heavy private/out-of-pocket use.

A well-developed private sector centred on Athens and Thessaloniki (e.g. large private hospital groups) offers faster appointments, modern facilities and English-speaking, often foreign-trained doctors, and is what most temporary residents and nomads use. It is financed largely out of pocket or through private/international health insurance, which private hospitals commonly accept.

The OECD/European Commission State of Health in the EU country profile (2023) reports out-of-pocket payments at about 33% of health spending (among the highest in the EU and far above the EU average) and self-reported unmet medical needs of about 9.0% versus an EU average of 2.2%, indicating cost- and access-related barriers. Figures are largely driven by cost (notably pharmaceutical co-payments and services outside the public benefits package).

Good to know

  • EU/EEA visitors with a valid EHIC get medically necessary state-provided care on the same terms as insured Greeks
  • Single EU emergency number 112 operates 24/7 (operators answer in Greek, English and French); EKAV emergency ambulances (also reachable on 166) are provided free of charge
  • Strong private hospitals in Athens and Thessaloniki with English-speaking, often foreign-trained doctors and short waits
  • Self-pay private and public afternoon-clinic GP/specialist consultations are relatively affordable (public afternoon outpatient fees roughly EUR 16-72; private self-pay typically higher)

Watch out for

  • Non-EU temporary residents and nomads have no automatic public-system entitlement; routine public access requires registration (AMKA, which generally needs a residence permit with a right to work or study) or, in practice, private insurance
  • Even with an EHIC there are patient co-payments (about 25% on most prescription medicines and 15% on diagnostic examinations at contracted private providers)
  • Out-of-pocket spending is among the highest in the EU (about a third of health spending); public hospital quality and waiting times can vary, especially outside major cities
  • English-speaking care is reliable mainly in private/urban settings; public hospitals and rural/island facilities may have limited English
  • The OECD profile's out-of-pocket and unmet-needs figures are based on 2021-2022 data published in the 2023 profile; treat the exact percentages as indicative

🩺 Insurance you'll need

Because temporary residents largely can't lean on the public system, and the DNV requires cover, private health insurance is part of the move — not an afterthought. We list the plans that plausibly meet Greece's requirement, ranked by fit.

See qualifying plans for Greece →

Healthcare in Greece: FAQ

Healthcare in Greece: FAQ

Can I use public healthcare in Greece as a digital nomad?

In short — the public system is not open to temporary residents, so private health insurance is the route. A well-developed private sector centred on Athens and Thessaloniki (e.g. large private hospital groups) offers faster appointments, modern facilities and English-speaking, often foreign-trained doctors, and is what most temporary residents and nomads use. It is financed largely out of pocket or through private/international health insurance, which private hospitals commonly accept.

What is the emergency number in Greece?

112. Call it for life-threatening emergencies; emergency departments will treat you regardless of insurance, but you may be billed afterwards if you're not covered.

Do I need private health insurance in Greece?

Yes — beyond being prudent, the DNV requires it (required (explicit)). See the qualifying plans for Greece.

Sources