Health insurance for Greek visas

You typically need residence-compliant health insurance (not just travel insurance) and a certificate that shows you’re covered for medical care in Greece for the relevant period. Requirements vary by permit type (e.g., students, retirees/FIP, digital nomads).

Yes, DNV applications are commonly treated as strict on insurance, and applicants often switch from travel insurance to an expat plan after a rejection. Choose coverage that’s clearly worded for Greece and matches the full stay duration.

Often no. Travel insurance is frequently mistaken for residence-compliant cover, and “emergency-only” wording can cause issues during permit review.

Your certificate should explicitly state that it “covers medical treatment in Greece for the entire duration of stay.” Vague statements like “worldwide emergency only” are often rejected. It helps if the certificate is in Greek.

In many cases, yes. English certificates are usually accepted, but a Greek translation is sometimes requested depending on the office and region. With Feather you get your visa letter in English and Greek automatically.

Student permits generally expect proof of full medical care in Greece, and many students choose the cheapest compliant option for the permit stage (then reassess later).

Retiree/FIP permits commonly expect full private coverage and proof at the permit stage. Aim for our extended plan, which clearly indicates comprehensive coverage and Greece validity in the certificate.

You can purchase our policy online, without a medical checklist, and will be able to download your certificate immediately after.

There is a monthly cancellation policy. Once you cancel, you will not be billed at your next billing cycle, and there are no fees for canceling.

Yes, for our newcomer expat health insurance, there is a 31-day waiting period of reduced coverage (life threatening conditions are still covered). However, sometimes, a waiting period can be waived. You can learn more about it and when it can be waived, you can find it in our FAQ.

For our extended expat health insurance, there is no waiting period.

However, keep in mind that both policies only cover new medical conditions that first commenced after the policy commenced.

Our insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions.

This means any illness, symptoms, or treatments that existed before your policy start date will not be reimbursed—you would need to pay for those costs out of pocket.

However, this has no impact on your visa eligibility. The insurance is still fully accepted for visa and residence permit applications.

Each family member needs their own individual policy.

To manage all policies in one place, use the same email address during signup.

Yes, you'll have to pay upfront. We suggest paying the doctor or clinic as soon as possible to avoid any late fees. Following that, submit photos of all invoices, receipts, and documents related to the incident in your Feather account to get reimbursed. The reimbursement will be made to you, not to the doctor

Yes. You can access the public healthcare system in Greece (EFKA) once you’re employed, contribute to social security, or otherwise qualify for coverage.

The public system provides access to essential healthcare services, including hospital care and prescriptions.

But keep in mind:

• Public healthcare can involve waiting times and limited choice of doctors or facilities
• Coverage is tied to your insurance status — gaps in contributions can affect access
• Golden Visa holders and some residents are not eligible for EFKA and must rely on private insurance
• Many residents choose to keep private insurance alongside the public system for faster access, more flexibility, and additional coverage (e.g. dental or vision)

If your visa is denied, this will happen before your planned arrival in Greece, and therefore before your policy start date.

You can simply cancel the policy in one click from your Feather account, and you’ll be fully refunded automatically.

Refunds usually arrive within 3 working days, depending on your bank.