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International health insurance in Greece

Health insurance for expats & foreigners

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Access any clinic

Skip wait times, get the best care.

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Visa-compliant coverage

Documents available instantly.

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On 2500+ reviews

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Why get private health insurance in Greece?

Greece has excellent healthcare: 6.6 doctors per 1,000 (well above the OECD average). But accessing the public system as a foreigner requires a residence permit, a registered AMKA (social security number), and at least 50 days of contributions before anything kicks in.

Without coverage, a private GP visit runs €60–€150 and a hospital stay can cost €200–€500+ per day.

Plus, for all visas, including Digital Nomad Visas, medical insurance is required.

How does the healthcare system work in Greece?

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ESY & EFKA: Greece's public medical insurance

Greece's public system, ESY (funded by EFKA), covers GP visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and maternity for insured residents. Employed expats enroll automatically; Golden Visa, Digital Nomad, and FIP holders don't qualify. Private hospitals in Athens and Thessaloniki offer excellent, English-speaking care.

Learn about how healthcare & health insurance work in Greece.

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Greek pharmacies & medication

Pharmacies are widespread, and most pharmacists in Athens and Thessaloniki speak basic English. A 24-hour pharmacy rota operates nationwide. Many medications available over the counter in Greece require a prescription elsewhere and are sold under generic names, as brand names differ. Non-essential medication is not subsidized.

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Emergency services in Greece

Dial 112 (EU-wide) or 166 (EKAB ambulance). Response times are fast in Athens and Thessaloniki but slower on islands and in rural areas — air ambulances cover remote locations. Operators speak English. Save your nearest hospital's number and your embassy's emergency contact.


Who needs expat health insurance?

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Digital nomads

No local employer means no access to EFKA in Greece. Private insurance is mandatory for Digital Nomad Visas (and your only safety net).

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Retirees

On a Golden Visa or FIP visa? Greece's public system won't cover you. Without private insurance, a hospital stay can cost €500+ per day.

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Families

Pediatric, maternity, and dental care for kids aren't fully covered by EFKA. One ER visit for a child on an island without insurance can run €800+.

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Gap year & job seekers

No employment contract means no EFKA enrolment. Private coverage fills the gap until you're settled. And most residence permits require it anyway.

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Students

Greek universities require proof of health insurance for enrolment. The public system won't cover you without an AMKA, and that takes weeks to activate. Learn more.

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Visa applicants

Greece's Golden Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, and FIP visa all require €30,000 coverage plus repatriation. Without a valid policy, your application gets rejected.

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Plans from €84/month. Set up online in minutes.

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How much is health insurance in Greece?

Costs can add up fast: a private GP visit runs €60–€150, and a hospital stay costs €200–€500+ per day without coverage.

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Public healthcare in Greece

EFKA costs employees around 13–16% of wages, with employers adding 22–25%. Freelancers and self-employed expats pay both sides themselves. Once enrolled, most care is free or very low-cost. Expect long wait times for specialists and limited English-speaking providers outside Athens and Thessaloniki.

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Private medical insurance

Plans range from €80/month for basic inpatient cover to €250+/month for comprehensive plans including outpatient, dental, mental health, maternity, and medical evacuation. Most private plans include direct access to private hospitals and English-speaking specialists in Athens, Thessaloniki, and on the islands.

Visa & health insurance requirements for Greece

Long-stay visas and residence permits in Greece require proof of private health insurance. Your policy needs to cover at least €30,000 in medical expenses and include medical repatriation.

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Visa

Accepted for all major Greek visas

Golden Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, FIP visa, student visas, and residence permits — both Feather plans meet the requirements.

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Documents ready when you sign up

All your documents (proof of coverage, English/Greek versions), instantly in your account. Accepted by Greek embassies.

How does Feather's international health insurance work?

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Choose your plan

Compare Essential and Plus, pick your deductible, and sign up in under 5 minutes. No paperwork, no medical exams.

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Get your documents instantly

Your confirmation and visa-ready proof-of-coverage documents land in your account straight away.

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Visit any doctor

See any licensed doctor, specialist, or hospital in Greece. No referrals, no network restrictions, no pre-approval.

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Upload your bill in the app

Already paid? Open the Feather app, snap a photo of your invoice, and submit your claim in under a minute.

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Get reimbursed to your account

We review your claim and reimburse you directly to your bank account. Most claims are processed within two weeks.

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Cancel anytime after year one

There's a one-year minimum term. After that, cancel whenever you want. No penalties.

Join 200,000+ expats covered with Feather

Get global medical coverage in under 5 minutes.

Why choose Feather?

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200,000+ happy customers

Experience insurance crafted by expats, for expats.

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100,000+ claims processed

Paid out in three weeks on average.

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4.8 Star rating

On over 2,500 reviews.

Languages

English-speaking support

Our team speaks your language.

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All digital

Sign up, file claims, and manage your policy in our app.

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Privacy first

Your data is stored securely in Europe.

Frequently asked questions

See our FAQ page for more answers.

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