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Having health insurance in Greece is complicated. But it is one of those things in life that need to happen.
If you’re planning your move to Greece, the last thing you might be thinking about is health insurance and the paperwork it brings. Especially if you’ve read that Greece offers universal public healthcare. But is that enough when a medical situation that is serious comes up?
With this guide, I will provide all the information and first hand experience I have, so you know what the best options to make on health insurance in Greece in 2026 are.
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Contents
- Key Takeaways
- The Current State of Health Insurance in Greece
- Health Insurance Options in Greece
- Public Health Insurance in Greece
- How to Use Public Health Insurance in Greece
- Why Many Expats Still Choose Private Health Insurance
- Do People in Greece Buy Private Health Insurance? Here’s What People Say
- Private Health Insurance Options in Greece
- Local Private Insurance
- International (Expat) Health Insurance in Greece
- Local vs International Health Insurance
- Group insurance in Greece
- Common Mistakes in Greece
- Other Types of Health Insurance
- Mandatory Health Insurance for Retirement Residency in Greece
- Which Health Insurance Should You Choose in Greece?
- Why I Got Health Insurance in Greece and What I Chose
Key Takeaways
- Greece has universal public healthcare, but many expats treat it as a safety net rather than their main healthcare option.
- If you work in Greece, you are usually automatically enrolled in the public system through EFKA and EOPYY.
- Many Greeks still pay out of pocket for everyday doctor visits and diagnostic tests because it is often faster and more convenient.
- Many international insurance companies do not operate directly in Greece, so the market is largely dominated by Greek insurers.
- Local private insurance is usually cheaper but often focuses mainly on hospitalization coverage.
- International expat insurance is more expensive but offers higher coverage limits and broader benefits such as evacuation, maternity, and preventive care.
- Depending on your visa or residency status, private health insurance may be required to live in Greece.
- EU retirees may be able to transfer healthcare rights using the S1 form, while non-EU retirees usually need private insurance.
- In many cases, expats end up combining public healthcare with private insurance or out-of-pocket payments.
The Current State of Health Insurance in Greece
When it comes to health insurance, every country does things a bit differently. I’ve rounded up a few of the topics that come up in conversation and that might surprise you as well.
- Paying out of pocket: This is usually for convenience but also designed into the system. A lot of Greeks pay out of pocket for small day-to-day medical needs like doctor appointments and tests, even when they could be covered by public insurance. In other countries, those would be covered by the insurance provider, but in Greece it’s preferred to go directly
- International insurance companies: A lot of international (big name) insurance companies don’t operate here. This includes a lot of the popular travel insurance options and those aimed for expats or nomads. This is because Greece falls outside the coverage area.
- Greek companies dominate the market: Due to the reasons listed above, the health insurance market is mostly dominated by Greek companies.
- Visa requirements: Depending on how long you move to Greece for and what visa you are under, getting private health insurance might be mandatory.
- Public hospitals dominate: This is true both in patient care and emergencies and is where a lot of people opt to be seen for certain specialty treatments.
Health Insurance Options in Greece
Before we dive into each one, let’s see what the overall options are. If you’re moving to Greece or staying long term, you’ll probably end up in one of these buckets.
- Public Health Insurance (EFKA/EOPYY)
- Local (Private) Health Insurance
- International (Private) Health Insurance
- Group Health Insurance
- Travel Insurance European
- Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
- S1 Form (for eligible EU pensioners / cross-border situations)
Public Health Insurance in Greece
If you work in Greece you’re automatically enrolled in the public healthcare system. The two acronyms are EFKA (the social security fund that you pay into) and EOPYY (the national healthcare provider).
This is true whether you are an employee in a Greek company or self-employed.
To understand public health insurance, let’s briefly touch on the universal public healthcare system that Greece uses.
How it Works
If you’re employed in Greece, the tax man takes a part of your contributions automatically each month from your salary. If you’re self-employed you pay into it yourself (and yes, it’s mandatory).
Once you are registered and active for a few months, you receive:
- Access to public hospitals
- Access to EOPYY doctors
- Reduced cost for prescription medication
- Reduced cost for diagnostic testing (in specific labs)
Everything runs through your AMKA number, which is the social security equivalent. It’s also one of the first things you’ll want to apply for when planning to move to Greece. You can read about more things to expect when moving to Greece here.
What Public Health Insurance in Greece Covers
- Primary Care and Doctors: You’ll be able to visit doctors who contract with EOPY. Of course, appointments are limited and booked out in advance, especially specialists.
- Hospitals and Emergencies: All emergency treatments in public hospitals are covered. That means if you fall and require stitches, you’ll be seen and receive medical attention with no issues. Serious surgeries are also covered but expect shared rooms. Non-urgent procedures will have longer wait times.
- Prescription Coverage and Pharmacies: Most medication is subsidized. The percentage you pay is usually 10-25%.
- Specialist Visits and Referrals: Technically covered but realistically hard. Availability is limited and you may need to wait months.
- Diagnostics (bloodwork, imaging): Usually super simple and also subsidized. You pay a participation fee and need to go to specific diagnostic centers.
- Maternity and Family Coverage: Giving birth in Greece in a public hospital is free. However, most expats would opt for private services due to comfort.
- Mental Health Coverage: Yes for psychiatric consultations but more difficult for psychotherapy.
What It Doesn’t Cover Well
There is no reason to sugarcoat the truth, so it is important to know what to expect in terms of the negatives.
The biggest complaints when it comes to public health insurance are:
- Wait times
- Specialist appointments
- Surgeries that are deemed “not urgent”
- Location issues (smaller towns and islands have less options)
- Language issues outside Athens and Thessaloniki
“Public hospitals are generally trusted more for serious emergencies because they have more expertise and equipment, but private insurance is often used to access private hospitals where waiting lists are shorter and hospital stays are more comfortable.”
One Reddit user explained.
How to Use Public Health Insurance in Greece
The process is relatively straightforward but here is what to expect and how to plan ahead.
- Get an AMKA number
- If you’re employed in Greece this is handled automatically.
- If you’re self employed you must make sure you’re contributing into your EFKA each month.
- If you work remotely for a company outside Greece but are a tax resident in Greece and paid from abroad, you’ll need to speak to your accountant. As a tax resident you are required to contribute to the Greek social security system or have another form of EU coverage transfer.
- If you receive a pension from another EU country you might be eligible to transfer rights to Greece (we discuss this further down in the section on S1)
- Book an appointment
To book an appointment you’ll need to use the eHealth.gov platform. You sign up with your Taxis Net credentials and your AMKA. The website is mostly in Greek unfortunately but with some help you can find the appointment place to book a doctor in your area.
This is also great if you want to browse specific time slots instead of calling each doctor’s office. However, I would say that it is more common to book via phone.
- In case of emergencies
In case of emergencies, you go straight to the hospital emergency area.
- For tests
You’ll need a referral from the doctor to get discounted labs. After that is done, you pick one of the EOPYY labs near your area and pay a percentage of the cost once you arrive.
Why Many Expats Still Choose Private Health Insurance
On paper, you might think that Greece has universal healthcare so it makes little sense to opt for any other kind. That’s not the reality though.
In my opinion and that of many others, you almost always need to supplement the public system with private insurance or private out of pocket costs.
Otherwise you risk a slow and bureaucratic process when you need it most.
I recommend treating the public system as more of a safety net, and having private care for serious emergencies or when you want the option to select a provider directly.
There are three main scenarios where I see people still getting private insurance in Greece.
| Scenario 1: EU Freelancer Moving to Greece Maria moves to Athens from an EU country to work in tourism. Because she is earning income in Greece, public insurance is not optional. Her EFKA payments automatically include public health coverage (EOPYY), giving her access to public hospitals, subsidized medication, and doctors. Maria develops ongoing knee pain and needs surgery. She faces limited appointment availability three months from now and large waiting times for diagnostic imaging. She also doesn’t have the option of seeing a doctor that specializes in her specific injury and needs to travel to another city from where she works. For this, she wishes she had opted for private health insurance so she can resume her work faster. |
| Scenario 2: EU Retiree Moving to Greece Hans is a retired German citizen that moves to Crete island and receives his pension from Germany. Because he receives a state pension from another EU country, he can also apply for the S1 form. This transfers his healthcare rights to Greece even if he never paid EFKA contributions in Greece. Hans can use the public healthcare system but will face the same challenges as other residents: waiting times and specialist care outside of the main centres in Athens and Thessaloniki. He opts for private health insurance that covers him in case of hospitalization and shorter waiting times for planned procedures. |
| Scenario 3: Non-EU Retiree Moving to Greece David and Lisa retire from Canada and relocate to Rhodes. They do not receive an EU pension and cannot transfer healthcare rights through the S1 system. To obtain residency, David and Lisa must provide proof of private health insurance. |
Do People in Greece Buy Private Health Insurance? Here’s What People Say
While Greece’s healthcare system sounds good on paper, we wanted to find out how people actually use it in real life. So, we asked the r/AskGreece Reddit community a simple question: “Do people in Greece buy private health insurance? If so, why?” The responses paint a clearer picture of how healthcare works in practice.
Many residents say private insurance is used to complement the public system rather than replace it. Public hospitals are generally trusted for serious emergencies, but routine care and specialist visits can involve long waiting times. Because of this, people often buy private insurance mainly for convenience.
One Reddit user explained, “Public hospitals are generally trusted more for serious emergencies because they have more expertise and equipment, but private insurance is often used to access private hospitals where waiting lists are shorter and hospital stays are more comfortable.”
Another Reddit user shared a similar experience: “We buy private insurance mainly so we can go to private hospitals and avoid long waiting queues. Doctors of the same skill level can be found in both private and public hospitals, but private ones are faster and the stay is usually more comfortable.”
Cost is another reason private insurance remains common. Local policies designed to work alongside the public system can be relatively affordable.
As one Reddit user noted, “Local insurance plans can cost around €300 per year for children and about €600 per year for adults in their 30s. Many people choose local companies such as Generali, Groupama, NN, or Ethniki.”
Some residents say the biggest advantage is simply avoiding bureaucracy and delays.
“I pay around €600 per year for private insurance mainly because I never have to wait and can go to better hospitals when needed,” another Reddit user said.
Others choose more comprehensive plans for additional comfort during hospital stays.
“I pay about €200 per month for full coverage. When I go to the hospital I have my own room and don’t have to deal with the usual hassles of the public system” one Reddit user shared.
That said, not everyone believes private insurance is necessary. Some residents feel the public system is sufficient for most healthcare needs.
One Reddit user commented, “The public system has been good enough for everything I’ve needed so far. I only have private insurance because it’s included in my union’s pension plan. Otherwise I probably wouldn’t pay for it.”
Private Health Insurance Options in Greece
If you’ve decided that private health insurance makes sense for you, you’ll want to know the main providers that are available to expats in Greece.
We’ll break these into two categories
- Local (Greek) private insurance providers
- International Expat insurance providers
Local Private Insurance
We’ll briefly go through the companies that operate in Greece on a local level. In general, I would say they are more common for residents or citizens.
Why you would pick one of these plans:
- More affordable terms than international expat plans
- Deductibles and annual coverage limits
- Structure around hospitalization coverage and doctor appointments
- Focused on the Greek market
- Sometimes require an agent or support in the beginning
Local Private Insurance Providers Coverage
Every country does insurance coverage a little bit differently. In Greece the core purpose of insurance is focused around hospitalization. Here is what to expect as part of your basic insurance plan through a Greek insurance company.
- ICU stays
- Major surgeries
- Cancer treatment
- Hospital room and board
- Specialist surgical fees
- Nursing fees
- Emergency hospital admissions in private hospitals
- Access to some advanced diagnostic procedures
- Transfer priority to/and from hospitals (especially relevant for islands that might require helicopter medical transfer)
There are also things that are not usually part of the basic plan, or might not be possible to add as extras at all. These are:
- Outpatient visits (OPD)
- Physiotherapy
- Maternity coverage
- Mental health therapy
- Dental work
- Medical evacuation (from abroad)
For OPD specifically, it is most often an optional upgrade rather than standard coverage.
Interamerican
One of the largest private insurance providers in Greece and the company I personally chose when I moved back. I also went through an agent to make the process easier. A lot of my Greek and expat friends use this option as well.
Good for:
- Strong agreements with major private hospitals (Hygeia, Metropolitan, IASO, etc.)
- Flexible deductible options and ability to pay higher premiums for more coverage
- Established presence and reputation
- A lot of different plans to choose from
Things to consider:
- Many plans are hospitalization-focused (outpatient is often add-on)
- Premiums increase noticeably with age brackets
- Pre-existing conditions are excluded or reviewed carefully
Interamerican is often a safe “default” choice if you want a big Greek brand with predictable structure.
Additional Local Private Insurance Companies in Greece
There are a lot of other local players that you can research or find out more about. Most banks also have ties to specific insurance companies, so they push their products directly.
- NN Hellas
- Generali Greece
- Allianz Greece
- Ethniki Asfalistiki (National Bank of Greece)
- Eurolife FFH
In terms of pricing here are some general information to keep in mind:
- For 30-40 years of age expect to pay €50–€90 per month
- For full coverage with outpatient add-ons, the price is double.
- For 50-60 years of age, expect the basic hospitalization plans to be about €120–€200 per month
- For full coverage with outpatient add-ons, the price can go €250–€450+ per month
Ways to Buy Local Insurance in Greece
There are various ways to purchase your local life insurance plan. Here are the most common:
- Directly from the insurance company: Most websites are in Greek and English.
- Insurance policy add- on: If you have life insurance, many people add health insurance as an add-on.
- Bank products: A lot of banks work with a specific provider they recommend or promote.
Who Prefers Local Insurance in Greece
In general, I would say local insurance is best if you have:
- Long term resident status
- Own property
- A family and planning childbirth
- Live on a remote Greek island and need evacuation coverage
How Claims Usually Work
In Greece, claims work either with direct billing or through reimbursement.
Depending on your plan, some of the major hospitals will have direct billing options where you only pay the deductible and the rest is covered.
This is also true for all major emergency hospital care and planned (non-urgent) care. For the latter you do need pre-authorisation through a doctor though.
You’ll typically only need to follow reimbursement protocols when you see a specialist
How to Apply for Local Health Insurance in Greece
The process to sign up for local health insurance is pretty straightforward but you’ll need to be careful with a few things.
- Choose the right plan and deductible
There are a lot of plans. Some are for hospitalization only, others are for accidents and/or emergency care within Greece and abroad. This is also where you’ll want to decide on the deductible level and what add-ons you need.
- Complete the medical questionnaire
Local insurance companies don’t play around when it comes to pre-existing conditions. Most of which are not covered so it is very important you are truthful and accurate with this information. You’ll be asked about all and everything including your past diagnoses, surgeries and chronic conditions or medications. Also, whether or not you are a cigarette smoker, which is a common issue in Greece.
- Approval
Based on what you select, you’ll be approved for the plan or offered a different one. Altogether, the process took me about a week last time.
- Payment
You are then signed up and make monthly or annual payments. You also get information for the insurance portal, where you can access info on doctors or other useful information.
International (Expat) Health Insurance in Greece
If you are not sure how long you’ll stay in Greece for, or want the flexibility of an international plan, then you should think about international health insurance, also called expat insurance. These plans are great for people that travel a lot, or those that might leave for a few years in one country and then switch.
I haven’t used an expat plan long term but have a lot of friends that do use them and here’s what I’ve come to find out.
- More options: Compared to the local Greek insurance, these plans tend to be a lot more comprehensive when it comes to coverage.
- Big name companies: A lot of the players here are huge and regulated under stricter international frameworks
- Price point: Expect to pay a lot more though that local Greek plans, especially if you want to add access to countries like the United States
Expat Plans Coverage
International expat plans are generally more comprehensive than local hospitalization-focused plans.
Even basic plans often include:
- ICU stays
- Major surgeries
- Cancer treatment
- Hospital room and board
- Emergency evacuations
- Specialist fees
- Global emergency coverage
- Nursing care
- Prescription medication
Many also include:
- Outpatient care (often bundled, not add-on)
- Preventive checkups
- Mental health support
- Maternity (with waiting periods)
- Dental and vision (depending on tier)
The main difference here as you can see compared to the local health insurance is that they usually include maternity and mental health support as well as preventive checkups.
Expat Health Insurance Options
There are a ton of options when it comes to expat insurance and that alone can feel very overwhelming. I recommend starting with the big names and focusing on your age, location and what is necessary for your individual needs.
The numbers below are accurate as of early 2026. I requested quotes for a 45-year-old individual to provide realistic expectations.
Cigna Global is a frequent benchmark when doing comparisons as it has really high annual coverage limits and worldwide presence. They also have a smooth digital claims process and English language support, plus it’s designed specifically for individuals that travel a lot.
Here are the monthly premiums for Cigna Global that I got, when I selected a plan if I were 45 years of age.
- Worldwide coverage (excluding USA)
- $750 deductible
- Standard cost-sharing
Indicative monthly premiums with Cigna Global.
- Silver (Annual limit $1,000,000)
~ $186 per month
(30% cost share, $2,000 OOP max, no maternity) - Gold (Annual limit $2,000,000)
~ $309 per month
(0% cost share, maternity included up to $7,000) - Platinum (Unlimited annual limit)
~ $409 per month
(0% cost share, maternity up to $14,000)
These prices exclude US coverage. Adding full US coverage almost doubles the price.
As you can see this is 2x higher than similar local health insurance plans, but with no deductibles and higher coverage.
Here are some other expat health insurance options:
- Allianz Care: One of the most established international insurers and very popular across Europe, especially among corporate expats. My cheapest option as a 45-year-old with worldwide coverage excluding the USA came at ~$300 per month, with no deductible and a high annual plan limit of $1,350,000. This did not include dental or outpatient coverage. Adding outpatients would increase the premium by ~$141 per month.
- Bupa Global: A major international provider with strong European presence. Their basic major medical plan with a $2,500,000 annual allowance started at ~$200 per month for worldwide coverage excluding the USA.
- Feather: Very popular in Greece for residence permits where proof of health insurance is required. A newer and more digital-friendly provider with a much simpler quote process. Coverage is capped at 5 years, after which you need to switch plans. I was quoted ~$82 per month, covering doctor visits, hospitalization, repatriation, and EU coverage, but excluding mental health, gynecology, vaccinations, pre-existing conditions, and routine check-ups.
Expat Health Insurance Disadvantages
Here are some drawbacks or disadvantages with expat health insurance you’ll want to think through.
- Premiums: They are the most expensive option in Greece. For someone in their 40s, expect $200 to $400+ per month for meaningful coverage. Adding U.S. coverage, outpatient, or maternity increases costs significantly.
- Outpatient reimbursement: This is a global issue and a common one. Many international plans require you to pay upfront for doctor visits and submit a claim later. Direct billing is not always guaranteed in Greece unless the hospital is in-network.
- Dispute resolution: If there is a dispute, you are dealing with a company regulated outside Greece. This can be more complex than resolving issues with a local insurer under Greek authorities but overall I would say this is a common issue across most insurance companies.
Where to Get Expat Health Insurance
Getting expat health insurance in Greece is similar to other parts of the world. There are mainly two ways:
- Buying Direct From an Insurance Company: You can request quotes directly from insurance companies and buy a plan directly from them.
- Using a Broker: You contact a broker and tell them what you need. They will recommend some plans to you.
We also have our expat health insurance comparison page where you can compare several plans at once and then get quotes directly from an insurance company or talk to a broker if you need further help.
Local vs International Health Insurance
I will be the first to admit that researching the best health insurance option is the trickiest and most time-consuming part of this whole process.
I had been researching my options for 2026 for a while and still couldn’t decide which plan was the best fit. (In the end, I ended up using a broker.)
Anyway, I compared the prices I got from Cigna Healthcare and Interamerica. I chose these two companies since they are popular options for expats in Greece.
This is the price for a 60-year-old female, with a 20% cost share and no deductible.
| Coverage | Cigna Global Silver | Interamerican Plan B |
| Price (Monthly) | €290.33 | €144.27 |
| Cost Share / Deductible | 20% cost-share (max €1,480/year) | 20% cost-share (max €5,000/year) |
| Annual Limit | Up to €1,000,000 per year | €1,000,000 |
| Geographic Coverage | Worldwide (optional USA coverage) | Greece, EU, worldwide (reduced coverage outside EU) |
| Hospital Room Type | Private room | Shared room (double room) |
| Hospitalization (Greece) | Covered under global inpatient benefits | 100% after 20% cost-share |
| Hospitalization (EU) | Covered worldwide under same structure | 90% after 20% cost-share; room & board limit €800/day |
| Hospitalization (Outside EU) | Covered worldwide | 80% after 20% cost-share; room & board limit €800/day |
| Emergency Room (ER) | Covered worldwide (subject to cost-share) | Up to €500/year total; 20% cost-share applies |
| Outpatient Care | Optional add-on | Very limited. Mainly for 3 specialist visits after surgery and €500/year endoscopy |
| Cancer Treatment | Inpatient treatment, chemo, radiotherapy, surgery, follow-ups | Covered under hospitalization; diagnostics capped at €500/year |
| Mental Health | Inpatient + outpatient (combined limit ~€5,000 equivalent) | Only if part of hospitalization; no clear standalone benefit |
| Preventive Care | Optional wellness add-on | 1 basic annual check-up |
| Evacuation / Medical Transport | Optional full evacuation and repatriation (typically covers full emergency transport costs) | up to €1,000 within Greece; up to €2,500 from abroad |
| Telemedicine | Unlimited via Teladoc | 24/7 medical advice hotline |
Based on the table, you can see that international insurance (Cigna Healthcare) is almost two times more expensive than local insurance (Interamerican plans). However,
- It comes with worldwide coverage
- You get a private room instead of a double room
- It comes with much higher coverage for cancer treatment and emergency care
- The maximum cost share is much lower
Because of this, these are the practical buying guidance tips for Greece that I would want to know if I were you.
International plans make sense when:
- You split your time between different countries or areas in Greece and want continuity of cover
- You stress over English-first administration and are comfortable with the standard process of pre-authorization, case management etc.
- You would want to be seen in private hospitals in Athens or Thessaloniki only
- You want to be covered for the absolute worst case highest of highest expenses scenarios
- You don’t want to depend at all on Greek social insurance standing and eligibility (like employment status etc)
Local health insurance plans make sense if:
- You are settling in the country long term and you will have access to plan around the public system fundamentals
- You prefer to have the option of direct settlement inside the Greek hospital network
- You want to keep cost low and focused on Greece
- You feel comfortable verifying the hospital network of hospitals and doctors in Greece based on where you live
- You’ll need outpatient diagnostics like visits to doctors for tests so you can combine public healthcare with private diagnostic centers.
Group insurance in Greece
Like in many other countries there are two group insurance product options that cover you under specific circumstances.
- Family group insurance
- Employer provided group insurance
Family Group Insurance
There are small and larger discounts if you are insuring yourself, your partner and kids under the same plan. Just keep in mind that if someone leaves the plan, you’ll need to get a new quote.
Discounts usually range from 10-15% and up to 20% so this is a very affordable option for local health insurance.
Work group insurance
A lot of companies in Greece offer group insurance as an add-on perk. Businesses will buy group insurance for all their employees at a discounted rate while also using it as a deductible business expense.
There are a lot of really popular local group insurance options in Greece with companies like Generali or Allianz. However, they tend to have very small annual limits or coverage and sometimes they are also tied into the National Health Care of EOPYY.
This means you have group business coverage for the first $10,000 to $15,000 for accidents or hospitalization and then contractors or employees will opt for an additional individual local insurance plan to cover more specialized cases.
This way you stack your group and individual plan to complement what is offered by an employer.
Another option is Remote Health, which offers plans for digital nomads and remote workers, in case your team is international and spread around the world.
Common Mistakes in Greece
The following points are very relevant to Greece specifically and are the points expats miss when looking at insurance plans.
- Assuming private is better: In most emergency or complex cases, patients are usually routed back into the public system.
- Not checking the outpatient coverage outside of Athens and Thessaloniki: A lot of the plans have great outpatient coverage but only inside Athens and Thessaloniki, If you plan to see dermatologists, pathologists and/or any other type of doctor but live in an island, you’ll want to check that these doctors are available and you won’t have to travel.
- Not planning pre-existing conditions: When it comes to pre-existing conditions, they are almost always excluded by private insurance companies. You’ll want to speak to an agent of the insurance company to get more information tailored to your case. Non disclosure can obviously void your policy.
Other Types of Health Insurance
There are some other types of insurance that may be available to you.
Travel Insurance
If you are a long-term resident in Greece, your travel insurance will not cover you. But it is good to have if you’re visiting the country for a while and you want private emergency medical care as well as repatriation costs, or travel related accidents (cancellations or lost luggage).
Usually, travel insurance coverage is capped at 90-180 days, anything more than that and you’ll want to look at other options.
Another thing to keep in mind is to make sure you have a solid repatriation option in your travel insurance. In case you require long-term treatment, it is more common to be sent back to your home country for continued care rather than be kept in Greece.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
If you live in Greece and are insured under the EFKA/EOPYY system, you are entitled to a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
This gives you access to local healthcare in other EU and EEA countries.
However there are limitations:
- It only applies to public healthcare
- It does not cover repatriation
- It does not replace travel insurance
- Doesn’t cover planned medical treatments just emergencies
S1 Form
This is another insurance option to check out specifically if you are insured in one EU country but live in another one. For example, you are a pensioner in Germany but live in Greece or you are employed as a remote worker in the Netherlands but live in Greece.
If eligible, the S1 allows you to register with the Greek public healthcare system but the country you are a tax resident in will pay for healthcare costs.
It is best to reach out to a specialized advisor or tax accountant for this kind of set up since eligibility varies and some paperwork is required.
Mandatory Health Insurance for Retirement Residency in Greece
Getting health insurance as you get older tends to be both:
- More difficult as a lot of companies won’t accept new sign ups after 60-70
- More expensive with premiums that can range up to $600-$700 per month
Anybody applying for a residency in Greece (including retirement) must have private health insurance. EU citizens do not need special retirement insurance, however they do need to show they are covered through another EU system or have their own healthcare coverage.
Usually here is what the insurance needs to cover (whether it’s local or expat):
- Cover both inpatient and outpatient care
- Include emergency treatment
- Cover repatriation (in some cases)
In practice this means that basic travel insurance is not accepted when applying for residency but any comprehensive medical coverage plan will be.
Which Health Insurance Should You Choose in Greece?
There’s no right or wrong answer here. It ultimately depends on your needs. To help you think about it, you can approach health insurance in Greece like this.
When to choose public health insurance:
If you are required to have public health insurance in Greece, for example because you are working here, it may make sense to try the public system first. If you are comfortable with the waiting times and the bureaucracy, you might find that you don’t need additional private insurance.
When to choose private health insurance:
If you prefer or need private insurance, you can choose a local provider if you don’t require international coverage. However, if having international coverage is important to you, expat insurance may be the more suitable option.
Why I Got Health Insurance in Greece and What I Chose
When I came to Greece as a visitor in my early 20s, I had no private health insurance, which was a terrible plan, and I know better now.
But as soon as I made the decision to leave New Zealand and relocate to Greece, I looked into getting private health insurance to avoid high costs and unexpected expenses.
The company I chose at the time is still one of the biggest players and one I would recommend for those who prefer insurance from a local company, Interamerica.
It works for me since I plan to spend much of my time in Greece. And I can speak Greek.
On the other hand, if you need to travel regularly, getting international insurance can be a better choice, and it comes with better coverage, especially for cancer.
Anyway, in the end, it’s totally up to you. Even in my case, after doing tons of research, I ended up using a broker. With so much information in my head, I couldn’t decide myself, so I left it to a professional.
If you want to talk to a broker too, you can use this form to get in touch with one.
