Healthcare is a significant consideration for any relocation. Greece offers both public and private healthcare options, each with distinct characteristics. Understanding how the Greek system works prevents surprises and helps you establish appropriate medical care quickly. The healthcare reality for expats differs from both American expectations and Greek citizens’ experiences.
Overview: Public vs. Private Healthcare
Greece operates a dual healthcare system. The public system (EOPYY – Ενιαία Υπηρεσία Υγείας), the national health organization, provides care to Greek citizens and legal residents contributing to the system. Private healthcare exists alongside it, widely used by expats and affluent Greeks.
Most American expats use private healthcare despite public option availability. This isn’t because public healthcare is terrible—it’s that private healthcare offers shorter wait times, English-speaking doctors, more familiar procedures, and predictable costs. Public healthcare works reasonably well for acute care and emergencies but suffers from chronic understaffing, long waits, and limited resources for non-urgent care.
Registering with the Public System: AMKA
If you’re establishing residency in Greece, you’ll register for AMKA (Αριθμός Μητρώου Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης—Social Security Number equivalent). This nine-digit identifier unlocks access to public healthcare and is required for many administrative purposes.
Steps to obtain AMKA:
- Visit your local health center (Κέντρο Υγείας) with your passport, visa documentation, and proof of residence (rental contract)
- Complete the registration forms in Greek (bring a translator if necessary)
- Receive your AMKA number immediately or within days
- Use this number to access public healthcare services
The process is straightforward but bureaucratic. Many expats accomplish this simultaneously with AFM (tax number) registration during their first month.
Understanding EOPYY: The Public Healthcare System
EOPYY, reorganized in recent years, represents Greece’s ambitious attempt to consolidate public healthcare. As a registered legal resident, you access EOPYY services through local health centers and affiliated hospitals.
What EOPYY Covers:
- Primary care at neighborhood health centers
- Specialist referrals through primary care doctors
- Hospital inpatient care
- Emergency services
- Prescription medications (at cost-sharing rates)
- Preventive services
EOPYY Reality:
Public healthcare in Greece functions adequately but with notable limitations. Health centers often have long wait times for appointments—booking non-urgent appointments weeks in advance is common. Doctors are frequently overworked and appointments brief. Many doctors’ English is limited, making communication challenging. Waiting rooms are crowded. Technology and equipment, while adequate, don’t match American standards.
However, EOPYY handles emergencies well. Emergency rooms function efficiently despite being overwhelmed. Serious conditions receive appropriate care. The system is robust for critical situations, less so for routine or non-urgent needs.
Cost: You contribute 14-16% of your income to social insurance if working. If self-employed, contributions run 20-25%. Pensioners and visa-holders not working contribute minimally if at all, though you must have private insurance to supplement.
Choosing Private Healthcare: The Most Common Expat Option
Approximately 75-80% of American expats use private healthcare, either exclusively or as a supplement to public coverage. Private healthcare addresses many public system shortcomings: appointments available within days, English-speaking doctors, modern facilities, and privacy.
Private Healthcare Insurance
Private insurance providers include:
Ethniki Asfalistiki Allilelengies (EAAL): Greece’s largest private insurer, widely accepted, reasonable rates
Interamerican: Popular with expats, good English support, extensive provider network
Attika Insurance: Another major provider with expat focus
ALICO: International provider with Greek operations
Allianz: European provider with Greek presence
Private insurance plans vary significantly. Basic plans cover hospital stays, doctor visits, and diagnostics. Comprehensive plans include dental, mental health, physical therapy, and dental work. Costs typically run:
Plans often include deductibles (€100-250) and co-pays (€10-30 per visit). Out-of-pocket maximums typically run €500-1,500 annually.
Finding a Private Doctor
American expats typically locate private doctors through:
English-speaking private doctors concentrate in central Athens, Thessaloniki, and tourist areas. Outside major cities, finding English-speaking physicians becomes challenging—a consideration for island or rural relocation.
Common Private Doctor Consultation Costs: €50-100 if paying directly (insurance often covers with co-pay)
International Clinics
Several clinics cater specifically to expatriates:
Hygeia Hospital (Athens): Multi-specialty hospital, English-speaking staff, modern facilities, expensive but high quality
Euromedica (Athens/Thessaloniki): International standard facilities, expat-friendly
Metropolitan Hospital (Athens): Modern facilities, English support, international standards
Various private clinics: Smaller throughout Athens and Thessaloniki
These clinics provide American-style care at European costs—roughly 50% cheaper than US equivalent care, significantly more expensive than Greek public healthcare.
The AMKA/Healthcare Card System
Once registered with AMKA, you receive a healthcare card enabling public system access. The card is valid for specific periods and requires renewal. Initially, cards issue for one year; renewals follow different schedules based on your residency status.
Many expats maintain both AMKA registration (for legal purposes) and private insurance, using private care exclusively while maintaining public registration.
Specific Healthcare Services
Pharmacies
Greek pharmacies (φαρμακεία) are excellent—staffed with knowledgeable pharmacists, far more autonomous than American pharmacies. Pharmacists can recommend treatments for minor conditions without physician consultation. Medication costs are reasonable; European prices apply, typically 30-50% cheaper than American equivalents.
Pharmacists speak reasonable English, especially in urban areas. Pharmacies are numerous—expect one on nearly every block in cities. Hours vary but many stay open evenings and Saturdays.
Common medication costs:
Prescription medications cost far less than in America. If you’re on specific medications, bring medical records and have Greek doctors issue prescriptions; costs are manageable.
Mental Health Services
Mental healthcare in Greece is less developed than in America, reflecting cultural differences regarding mental health discussion. Therapists exist but are less available than you might expect. Private therapists charge €50-100 per hour, approximately half American rates.
Psychiatrists exist within the system; wait times for public psychiatric care can be substantial. Private psychiatric consultations cost €70-120.
Finding English-speaking mental health professionals is more challenging than finding general physicians. Major cities have options; smaller areas struggle. Many expats rely on remote therapy with US-based providers via video, accepting timezone challenges.
Dental Care
Dental care in Greece is private; public system dental coverage is minimal. Private dentists charge significantly less than American dentists:
Quality varies; research dentists through expat recommendations. Many Americans find Greece attractive for dental work—the savings often exceed travel costs. Dental tourism to Greece is actually a real phenomenon, with patients flying in for major work.
Vision Care
Optometrists and ophthalmologists exist in both public and private sectors. Prescription glasses and contacts cost far less than in America:
The cost advantage is significant; Americans sometimes purchase multiple glasses during Greece stays.
Hospital Care and Emergency Services
Emergency Services: Call 166 for ambulance, 100 for police. Emergency rooms (Τμήματα Επειγόντων Περιστατικών) function 24/7. Public emergency care is free for Greeks; visitor charges apply to expats. Private emergency room care costs €200-500 depending on services.
Hospital Stays: Both public and private hospitals operate. Public hospital rooms are basic but functional; private hospitals offer private rooms, better amenities, and English-speaking staff. Daily charges: public €0-50 (contributing residents free), private €300-800 depending on hospital prestige.
Insurance Considerations: If using private insurance, hospital stays are typically covered (minus deductible/co-pay). Verify your plan’s hospital coverage—this is where insurance matters most.
Prescription and Medication Reality
Greece has an excellent pharmaceutical system. Medications are generally cheaper than America. You can refill prescriptions easily by showing your doctor the medication or previous prescription. Pharmacists are helpful and knowledgeable.
Bringing your own medications from America is sometimes possible (verify quantities are personal-use scale, not trafficking volumes). Many expats simply switch to Greek prescriptions because costs are lower and doctors are cooperative. Ensure your doctor has your full medication list and complete health history.
Preventive Care and Check-ups
Many Americans accustomed to regular preventive care are disappointed by Greece’s preventive approach. Routine annual check-ups aren’t standard practice; healthcare is more reactive. You’ll need to specifically request preventive care.
Finding doctors willing to do comprehensive physical exams requires seeking out international clinics or specifically requesting this service. Cost runs €150-300 for comprehensive exams through private care.
Healthcare Timeline for New Residents
Week 1: Open bank account, get AFM
Week 2-3: Register for AMKA and receive healthcare card
Month 1: Establish relationship with private doctor (if choosing private care)
Month 1: Research and purchase private insurance if desired
Month 2: Schedule any necessary health maintenance or prescriptions
Important Healthcare Considerations
Communication Challenges: Even in English-speaking private practices, medical terminology might create communication barriers. Write down symptoms, medications, and health history before appointments.
Different Medical Approach: Greek medical culture differs from American practice. Doctors may recommend treatments Americans consider conservative. CT scans and imaging might be prescribed liberally; antibiotics prescribed for conditions Americans treat differently.
Medical Records: Keep copies of all medical records, test results, and medication lists. Greek healthcare system doesn’t have integrated electronic records across providers.
Continuity of Care: Building relationships with consistent physicians is important. Changing doctors means starting over with medical history explanations.
COVID and Travel Implications: Ensure vaccination records are recognized (should be, as Greece uses EU vaccine standards). Maintain copies of vaccinations for travel or healthcare purposes.
Health Insurance Before Moving
Before arriving in Greece, purchase travel or expat health insurance covering your arrival and initial period. This provides protection during your first weeks while arranging Greek insurance. Major expat insurance providers include:
Once in Greece, transition to local private insurance for ongoing coverage. Travel insurance typically costs €30-80 monthly; established expats often find local insurance cheaper.
The Healthcare Decision for Relocation
Healthcare should not discourage Greeks relocation for most Americans. The combination of affordable private healthcare, excellent pharmacies, competent physicians (especially in urban areas), and lower costs makes Greek healthcare quite functional.
The ideal approach: maintain private insurance for doctor visits and non-emergency care, knowing EOPYY covers emergencies as backup. This dual approach provides security without excessive cost.
Healthcare differences will exist—Greece isn’t America. But the differences are manageable and, for many conditions, advantageous (lower costs, accessible care). Most American expats report satisfaction with their Greek healthcare experiences after initial adjustment to the different system.
For serious conditions requiring specialized care, access to Athens’ excellent private hospitals (Hygeia, Euroclinic, Euromedica) provides standards comparable to American care, though you’ll need private insurance or significant out-of-pocket capability.
Key Healthcare Contacts and Resources
Greece’s healthcare system, while different from America’s, provides functional, affordable care. With proper planning and insurance, healthcare presents no barrier to successful relocation.
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