Healthcare in Greece: The 2026 Guide for Expats and Americans

Healthcare in Greece is a mix of a public National Health System (ESY) and a large private sector. Public care is free or low-cost for people registered in the Greek social security system with an AMKA number, which in practice means people working in Greece. Most non-EU expats, including FIP, Golden Visa and Digital Nomad Visa holders, don't qualify for an AMKA and use private health insurance instead, which they need for their residence permit anyway. In an emergency, anyone can call 112 or 166 for an ambulance to the nearest public hospital on duty.

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Healthcare in Greece is one of the first things people ask us about, and one of the most misunderstood. You'll read online that Greece has "free universal healthcare". That's true for Greeks and for people working here, but it is not true for most of the retirees, remote workers and investors who move here on a residence permit.

This guide explains how the system actually works, who can use which part of it, what insurance you need for your permit, the three insurance options we recommend, and what Americans in particular need to plan for before they move. We've supported 300+ expats through their move to Greece, and health cover comes up on almost every call.

How does the healthcare system in Greece work?

Greece runs a public National Health System (ESY) of state hospitals and primary care health centers, alongside a large network of private hospitals, clinics and doctors. The public side is funded through national health insurance (EOPYY), and you access it through the social security system.

In practice, there are three layers you'll come across:

• Public hospitals (ESY) – the state hospital network. Emergencies, surgery and inpatient care.
• Public health centers (PEDY) – primary care, the closest thing to a family doctor's office. The official EOPYY guide to healthcare providers in Greece lists the ESY hospitals and PEDY health centers region by region.
• Private hospitals, clinics and doctors – some work under contract with EOPYY, many don't. This is where most expats on private insurance are treated.

The key thing to understand is that eligibility for the public side runs through social security registration, not through residence alone. That's the detail most online guides skip, and it's the one that decides which part of the system you'll actually use.

Does Greece have free healthcare?

Greece has a universal-style public healthcare system that is free or heavily subsidized, but access is generally limited to those covered by the national health insurance system, which is available to people who are working, or who earn a pension.

Cigna's own guide to Greece puts it plainly: the public system is open to expats who pay into national health insurance and have a social security number, which is typically automatic if you work for a Greek company. If you're from outside the EU and don't work for a Greek employer, the same page notes you may struggle to access the public system at all.

So when someone asks "is healthcare free in Greece?", the honest answer is: it depends entirely on how you're registered. For a working resident, yes. For a retiree on the FIP visa, no – you'll be paying for private health insurance coverage.

Who can use public healthcare in Greece as an expat?

You can use the public system if you have an AMKA (the Greek social security number) through work or another link to the national insurance system. FIP, Golden Visa and Digital Nomad Visa holders do not qualify for an AMKA and rely on private health insurance.

Here's how it breaks down by situation:

• You work in Greece (employed by a Greek company, or registered as self-employed or a freelancer here): you pay social security contributions through EFKA, get an AMKA, and can use the public healthcare system.
• You're the spouse of a Greek citizen and working here: the same applies once you're registered and contributing.
• You're on the FIP (a.k.a. financially independent or retirement) visa, the Golden Visa or the Digital Nomad Visa: you're not integrated into the Greek labor and social security system, so you can't get an AMKA. Private insurance is your healthcare.
• You're an EU citizen visiting: your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you access to necessary care.
• You're an EU citizen moving here with an S1 form (for example, a pensioner whose pension is paid by another EU country): the EOPYY guide for EU citizens moving to Greece explains that S1 holders register for an EU-AMKA and use it when they see a doctor.

💡 Pro Tip: If you're planning to work in Greece, get your Greek tax number (AFM) first. You need it before you can register for an AMKA, and it's the step that most often holds people up.

Is healthcare in Greece good?

Yes – the standard of care in Greece is generally high, especially in Athens, Thessaloniki and on the larger islands. The weak spots are the smaller islands and rural areas, where facilities and ambulances can be limited.

Cigna's Greece overview describes Greek healthcare as on par with most of Europe, while flagging that standards are less consistent outside the mainland and the bigger islands. That matches what our clients tell us: the doctors are well trained, but where you choose to live matters.

A few practical realities worth knowing:

• Pharmacies are everywhere and are often the first stop for everyday problems. Greek pharmacists give a lot of advice over the counter, and Greek pharmacies offer a wide range of products, from everyday essentials and hospital prescriptions to what you would find at a typical drugstore in America.
• Public hospitals can be busy, and waiting times for non-urgent appointments and specialists can take longer than in private care.
• Language: if you don't speak Greek, private clinics are usually the easier experience. Our guide to moving to Greece without speaking Greek covers how to manage day to day.

If you're weighing a specific island, check how far the nearest hospital is before you sign a lease. That's especially true for retirees and anyone with an ongoing medical condition.

Public vs private healthcare in Greece: which one will you use?

Most expats on a residence permit will use private healthcare, because that's what their insurance pays for. People working in Greece often use both: the public system for the basics and emergencies, private care for faster specialist access.

Do you need health insurance for a Greek residence permit?

Yes. Every non-EU national applying for or renewing a Greek residence permit must show private health insurance that meets minimum coverage levels set by law.

What must your health insurance policy cover?

Your policy must include at least:

• Hospital care: €10,000 per year
• Medical expenses from illness or accident: €1,500 per year
• Permanent total disability from an accident: €15,000 per year
• Permanent partial disability from an accident: €10,000 per year
• Death from accident or illness

For each type of cover, you can’t be required to pay more than 20% of the cost yourself.

The policy must also state clearly that it meets these legal minimums and that it covers you in the EU and specifically in Greece. If the wording is vague, the application can be held up, even when the coverage itself is adequate.

Renewing? Keep your insurance certificate for every year you hold the permit. At renewal you’ll need to show next year’s certificate and the certificates for the years covered by the permit that’s expiring.

Meeting the minimums is the easy part. The harder part is a policy that the immigration office accepts on the first try. We’ll point you to providers that work smoothly with Greek applications, so your file doesn’t get stuck going back and forth.

🚨Important note: a policy that meets these minimums is not the same as a policy that looks after you. Basic permit plans start from around €69 a year, which tells you how limited they are and tick the box for the immigration office. They won't give you fast access to private specialists or cover a serious illness the way a full plan would.

For the Digital Nomad Visa and the FIP visa, private health insurance valid in Greece is part of the document list, so this needs to be sorted before you apply, not after you arrive.

Which health insurance do we recommend in Greece?

We recommend three options: Interasco for a local Greek policy, Cigna Global for full international cover, and Infomax if you want a broker to compare plans for you. Which one fits depends on your age, your permit route and whether you want cover outside Greece.

1. Interasco – a local Greek insurer

Interasco is a Greek insurer that offers health policies built for the residence permit requirements. It's one of the oldest names in the Greek market, with more than 133 years in Greek insurance.

• Best for: applicants who want a straightforward, locally recognized policy for their permit.
• Important limit: Interasco is not available to individuals over the age of 80.
• From our experience: our partner immigration lawyer's advice is clear – when you apply from inside Greece, use a local Greek insurer like Interasco. A policy from a local company is something the immigration office sees every day, and it avoids the back-and-forth that a foreign policy document can trigger.

2. Cigna Global – international health insurance

Cigna Global is an international health insurer designed for people living outside their home country. It's the option we point to when someone wants comprehensive cover rather than the legal minimum.

• Plans: Silver (annual limit of $1,000,000), Gold ($2,000,000, adds inpatient maternity) and Platinum (paid in full), each with worldwide cover or worldwide excluding the USA.
• Close Care plan: covers you in your country of residence and your country of nationality only – a useful middle ground if you want Greece plus home (see the section for Americans below).
• Watch out for: the core plans focus on hospital treatment. Outpatient cover (doctor visits, specialists) is an add-on module, so add it if you want everyday care included.
• From our clients' experience: Cigna Global premiums have come in at roughly a third of what our American clients were paying US health insurance companies.

3. Infomax – an insurance broker that compares plans

Infomax is a Greek insurance broker and a member of the Hellenic Insurance Brokers Association. Rather than selling one company's policy, it compares local and international insurers side by side.

• Best for: anyone who wants options compared for them, including residence permit plans from local insurers and international plans from providers such as Cigna, Allianz Care and IMG.
• How it works: you can compare and buy online, or speak to a consultant at no extra cost compared with buying direct from the insurer.

💡 Pro Tip: Whichever insurer you choose, read the policy wording for pre-existing conditions, the excess (deductible) and whether outpatient care is included. Those three details decide what the policy is actually worth to you.

How does healthcare in Greece work for Americans?

As an American in Greece, you'll almost always rely on private health insurance, because US residence permit routes like the FIP visa and Golden Visa don't give you access to the public system. Medicare and most US health plans won't cover you here, so you need a policy built for living abroad.

Does Medicare cover you in Greece?

Generally, no. Medicare.gov confirms that Medicare usually doesn't pay for health care outside the US, and that Medicare drug plans don't cover prescriptions bought abroad.

There's one partial exception. Some Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans include foreign travel emergency cover – AARP explains that this pays 80% after a $250 deductible, with a $50,000 lifetime limit. That's emergency travel cover, not a way to live in Greece.

Before you move: decide what you'll do about Medicare. AARP also notes that if you wait to enroll until you move back to the US, you may face a late-enrollment penalty. Many Americans who split time between both countries talk this through with a US advisor before they leave.

What does health insurance in Greece cost compared with the US?

Much less, in most cases. Our American clients have found Cigna Global premiums come in at around a third of what they were paying US health insurance companies – though your price depends on your age, health history and the plan level you choose.

Which plan suits Americans who split their time?

If you'll spend part of the year back in the US, look at international plans that include the USA, or Cigna's Close Care plan, which covers your country of residence and your country of nationality. If you'll live in Greece full time and rarely go back, a "worldwide excluding USA" plan is usually cheaper.

Should you bring your prescriptions to Greece?

The US government's trade.gov guide to Greece advises bringing an adequate supply of your prescription medicines, because you may not find an exact local equivalent in Greek pharmacies. Bring a copy of your prescription and your doctor's notes too. If you take a controlled medication, check the rules with the Greek consulate before you fly.

What if you're over 80?

If you're over 80, a local policy from Interasco isn't an option, so you'll be looking at international insurers or comparing what else is available through a broker like Infomax. Start early – older applicants have fewer choices, and the policy needs to be in place before you apply for your permit.

For the full picture on moving from the US, read our guides to moving from the USA to Greece and retiring in Greece.

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What should you do in a medical emergency in Greece?

Call 112 (the European emergency number) or 166 (the Greek national ambulance line). EOPYY confirms you'll be taken to the nearest public ESY hospital on duty.

Note the words "on duty": the closest public hospital isn't always the one taking emergencies that day, and the ambulance service knows which one is. If you have private insurance, call your insurer's assistance line as soon as you can so they know where you are.

Save these numbers in your phone the day you arrive, and keep your insurance card and policy number somewhere you can reach quickly.

How do you get an AMKA, and can we help?

If you work in Greece or are otherwise integrated into the Greek social security system, you can register for an AMKA once you have your AFM (Greek tax number). We handle AMKA registration in 4 business days for €285, and the AFM in about 3 business days for €250.

Remember the eligibility rule: an AMKA is for people actively working in Greece or part of the labor and social security system. If you're on the FIP visa, the Golden Visa or the Digital Nomad Visa, you won't qualify – and we'll tell you that upfront rather than take your money for an application that can't succeed.

Read more in our guide to the AMKA social security number in Greece, and if you're moving with children, see our guide to expat family insurance in Greece.

How does My Greek Expat Journey help with healthcare in Greece?

We make sure your health cover fits your permit route before you apply, so insurance never becomes the document that stalls your file. You get one named point of contact, flat published fees, and a vetted network of 20+ English-speaking specialists.

Depending on your situation, we can help with:

• Residency: our Global Package for non-EU citizens is €1,960 per person, €3,480 for couples and €4,650 for a family of three (one applicant and two dependents), including VAT. Larger families get a fixed quote on the discovery call.
• AFM (Greek tax number): €250, in about 3 business days.
• AMKA (social security number): €285, in 4 business days, for those who qualify.

Greek bureaucracy can be slow-moving, and health insurance is one of the places where a small detail (the wrong policy wording, a foreign certificate the office questions) costs you weeks. That's the part we carry for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Healthcare in Greece

Is healthcare free in Greece?

Public healthcare is free or heavily subsidized for people registered in the Greek social security system, which mainly means those working in Greece. Most non-EU expats on residence permits pay for private health insurance instead.

Does Greece have universal healthcare?

Greece has a public National Health System (ESY) funded through national health insurance. Access depends on being in the social security system with an AMKA, so it isn't automatically universal for foreign residents.

Can foreigners use public hospitals in Greece?

In an emergency, anyone can call 112 or 166 and be taken to the nearest public hospital on duty. For ongoing public care, you need to be registered in the Greek social security system, or be an EU citizen with an EHIC or S1.

Can FIP, Golden Visa or Digital Nomad Visa holders get an AMKA?

No. An AMKA is for residents actively working in Greece or integrated into the labor and social security system. FIP, Golden Visa and Digital Nomad Visa holders rely on private health insurance.

Do I need health insurance for a Greek residence permit?

Yes. Non-EU applicants must show private health insurance meeting minimum legal coverage, including at least €10,000 a year for hospital care and €1,500 a year for medical expenses.

How much does health insurance in Greece cost?

Basic residence permit plans start from around €69 a year but only meet the legal minimum. Comprehensive international plans cost more and depend on your age, health history and coverage level.

Does Medicare cover me in Greece?

Generally, no. Medicare usually doesn't pay for care outside the US, and Medicare drug plans don't cover prescriptions bought abroad. Some Medigap plans include limited emergency travel cover.

Is a Greek insurance policy better than an international one for my permit?

If you're applying from inside Greece, our partner immigration lawyer recommends a local Greek insurer such as Interasco, because it avoids back-and-forth with the immigration office. International plans like Cigna Global give broader cover, including outside Greece.

Which health insurance is available if I'm over 80?

Interasco isn't available to individuals over 80, so you'll need an international insurer or a broker such as Infomax to compare what's available. Start early, as there are fewer options at that age.

What is EOPYY?

EOPYY is Greece's national health insurance organization. It funds public healthcare and contracts with some private doctors and providers, and you access it through the social security system.

What number do I call for an ambulance in Greece?

Call 112, the European emergency number, or 166, the Greek national ambulance line. You'll be taken to the nearest public hospital on duty.

Can My Greek Expat Journey help me choose health insurance?

We'll tell you what level of cover your permit route needs and which of the options we recommend fits your situation. Book a free 15-minute call to talk it through.

Get a Straight Answer on Your Own Case

Every move is different, and the right health cover depends on your nationality, your age, your permit route and how much time you'll spend in Greece. Book a free 15-minute call and we'll tell you exactly what you need – no obligation, no sales pitch.

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Written by Chloe Mason, CEO and Founder of My Greek Expat Journey. Chloe has lived in 7 countries and has personally guided 300+ expats through Greek residency, tax, property and bureaucracy. She helps expats from around the world make Greece their home, translating complexity into a clear, calm roadmap. Connect on LinkedIn.