Avant de vous installer à Greece, la question qui compte n'est pas « les soins sont-ils bons » — c'est « puis-je, avec un visa temporaire, réellement y accéder, et que se passe-t-il en cas d'urgence ? » Voici comment le système fonctionne pour un nomade, et où s'insère l'assurance privée.
En un coup d'œil
- Système
- Mixte public/privé
- Accès public (nomades)
- Non — assurance privée nécessaire
- Numéro d'urgence
- 112
- Consultation généraliste privée
- ~€50
- Soins en anglais
- Soins en anglais dans les grandes villes
Comment fonctionne le système
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).
Bon à savoir
- 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)
À surveiller
- 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
🩺 L'assurance dont vous aurez besoin
Comme les résidents temporaires ne peuvent guère s'appuyer sur le système public, et que le DNV exige une couverture, l'assurance santé privée fait partie de l'installation — pas un détail à régler après coup. Nous listons les formules qui répondent vraisemblablement à l'exigence de Greece, classées par adéquation.
Voir les formules admissibles pour Greece →La santé à Greece : FAQ
La santé à Greece : FAQ
Puis-je utiliser la santé publique à Greece en tant que nomade numérique ?
En bref — le système public n'est pas ouvert aux résidents temporaires, l'assurance santé privée est donc la voie à suivre. 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.
Quel est le numéro d'urgence à Greece ?
112. Appelez-le pour les urgences vitales ; les services d'urgence vous prendront en charge quelle que soit votre assurance, mais vous pourrez être facturé ensuite si vous n'êtes pas couvert.
Ai-je besoin d'une assurance santé privée à Greece ?
Oui — au-delà de la simple prudence, le DNV l'exige (obligatoire (explicite)). Voir les formules admissibles pour Greece.
Sources
- National health service Organization and governance of the national health system - Hellenic National Contact Point for Cross-border Healthcare (EOPYY) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- National health service Accessing health services in Greece for EU citizens - Hellenic National Contact Point for Cross-border Healthcare (EOPYY) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- National health service Urgent care in Greece for EHIC holders - Hellenic National Contact Point for Cross-border Healthcare (EOPYY) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Greece - European Health Insurance Card - European Commission (Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- International organisation Greece: Country Health Profile 2023 - State of Health in the EU (OECD / European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15